Literally means "Awakening Prefecture" , but in ancient times a different character was used for the syllable su , which meant "Fish and Rice". [ Read History of Suzhou ]

Location

On the Grand Canal, 80 km west of Shanghai

Language of Suzhou

Suzhou natives speak one of the Northern Wu dialects. Although Shanghai is now the most famous place where Northern Wu is spoken, Suzhou is considered by linguists to be the source of the Wu language.

Suzhou China

Suzhou Food

The unique cuisine of Suzhou emphasizes fresh vegetables and fresh water fish, and is noted for being low in fat. Famous dishes include Mandarin Fish in Squirrel Shape , Emerald Snails , Eel Paste , Snowflake Crab , Vegetable Duck , Vegetable in Clear Soup , Steamed Pork in Lotus Leaves , Beggar's Chicken , Crisp Rice Crust Soup , and Dongpo Pork.

Pastry specialties include Four Happiness Steamed Dumplings , Square Cakes , Osmanthus Lotus Root , Twin Colour Beans , and Steamed Buns with Crab Meat.

Suzhou natives celebrate many food festivals during the year. One of the most famous is the "Crab Feast", held in early autumn.

Culture

Chinese opera: Kunqu originates in the Suzhou region, as does the much later Suzhou Opera. Ballad-singing, or Suzhou pingtan is a local form of storytelling that mixes singing (accompanied on the pipa) with portions in spoken dialect.

Handicrafts: Suzhou embroidery, fans, national musical instruments, scroll mounting, lanterns, mahogany furniture, jade carving, silk tapestry, traditional painting pigments of Jiangenxutang Studio, the New Year's wood-block prints of Taohuawu Studio.

Suzhou Silk Hand Embroidery Art