Zen Out in Suzhou on National Garden Meditation Day, May 3 Achieve total relaxation amidst the natural beauty of Suzhou’s classical gardens New York, New York (April 11, 2018) – The divine tranquility of Suzhou’s beautifully manicured classical gardens, nine of which have been collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are must-see sites for any visitor to China. Due to their impeccable preservation, these graceful gardens have seemingly stood still for thousands of years and are the perfect place to unplug and find serenity on National Garden Meditation Day, May 3. Tour packages offer a variety of ways to experience the Zen of Suzhou’s classical gardens. Award-winning tour operator Audley Travel offers custom-designed vacation packages showcasing the best of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site gardens. “Our experienced travel specialists use their personal knowledge from either having lived or traveled extensively in Suzhou and throughout China to create personalized, one-of- a-kind journeys that let them experience this scenic region in a way that other travelers sometimes miss,” said Andrew George, Audley Travel. Suzhou’s Classical Gardens Classical Chinese gardens are created as flawless miniature landscapes and emphasize a profound harmony with nature. Regarded as masterpieces of this genre, Suzhou’s gardens are unique from other gardens around the world as they each contain five main characteristics: water, buildings, flowers, trees, and rocks. Suzhou’s elaborate private gardens, once owned by scholars and wealthy families, date back to the sixth century B.C., but it was not until the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644– 1911) dynasties that Suzhou’s garden art reached its zenith. Today, guests are welcome to visit and wander the paths of the city’s more than 60 preserved gardens, enjoying fragrant flora, rippling ponds, and quiet pavilions along the way. While enjoying the countryside feel and communing with nature, visitors will discover why Suzhou is often referred to as “Heaven on Earth.” Suzhou’s nine UNESCO World Heritage Site Gardens are: 1. The Humble Administrator's Garden - Suzhou’s largest garden is considered the archetype of classical garden design 2. The Lingering Garden - Famous for its striking architecture and vast corridors adorned in ancient inlaid calligraphy 3. The Master-of-Nets Garden - Suzhou’s smallest garden boasts an intricate design and creates the illusion of a much larger space 4. The Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty - Captivates with soaring mountains and cliffs, deep caverns and stone houses 5. The Canglang Pavilion - A flawless union of architecture and nature, it is the oldest garden in Suzhou and home to a mesmerizing forest of weeping willows, viridian bamboo, and other ancient trees 6. The Lion Forest Garden - Full of whimsical rock formations and imposing man- made mountains 7. The Garden of Cultivation - With its mist-cloaked hills, deep springs and placid pools, its beauty is commanding 8. The Couple's Retreat - A romantic oasis set between three restful canals and a bevy of dramatic pavilions and verdant landscaping 9. The Retreat & Reflection Garden - Located in the picturesque water town of Tongli, the garden is notorious for its pavilions that seemingly float atop the pond’s peaceful surface For additional information or to browse tour packages that highlight these gardens in Suzhou and more, visit www.TravelToSuzhou.com. About Suzhou Suzhou, the "Venice of China," is known for its elegant stone bridges, canals, flowing water, and noteworthy architecture. Located in the center of the Yangtze River Delta, approximately 60 miles west of Shanghai, Suzhou is one of the oldest cities in the Yangtze Basin dating back more than 2,500 years. The city boasts the beautifully manicured Classical Gardens of Suzhou, nine of which have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each year, millions of tourists travel to Suzhou to experience the destination’s more than 400 attractions, ranging from pagodas and temples to historical districts and world-class museums. As the largest industrial city in China, Suzhou continues to develop, such as the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), which boasts five-star hotels, the iconic Lake Jinji, and Asia’s largest Ferris Wheel. Travel to Suzhou is easily accessible via three convenient area airports with non- stop flights from North America: Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) offers bullet train service to Suzhou, which is approximately a 50-mile, 30-minute trip; Pudong International Airport (PVG) is approximately 65 miles from Suzhou, an hour and half drive; and Sunan Shuofang International Airport (WUX) is approximately 14 miles from Suzhou, a 30-minute drive. For more information on Suzhou please visit www.TravelToSuzhou.com, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. # # # Media Contact: Ashley Norman PHG Consulting [email protected] Tel: +1 646 465 9775 .