Suzhou

Suzhou 350 mi/565 km southeast of Beijing is best known for its Chinese gardens of the 11th century. Each is intended to represent an idealized model of the natural world. The main attractions are the Lion Garden, the Master of Nets Garden, the rocks of the garden represent mountains; the ponds of symbolize oceans. The gardens are quite small, but others like the paradoxically named Garden of the Humble Administrator are grand spacious parks.