The Huancheng (around the city) River in Suzhou is a part of the old Grand Canal, encloses the city, and all its charm, like a jade belt. Suzhou began work on a project to protect the townscape and area around it in May 2005, and the first phase has been completed.

The Huancheng and a scenic belt still under construction are intended to provide a green corridor connected with many of the historical and cultural sites to attract more tourists from China and abroad.

People who come to Suzhou by rail or bus can board a cruise vessel and enjoy the historical sites, such as the old city walls from the Huancheng River, or gaze at Ouyuan Garden, Suzhou University, Baodai Bridge, China’s longest arch bridge, the Panmen city gate, Wumen Bridge, Suzhou’s first, or the recently excavated Xumen Gate and the Changmen archeological site.

Other water-based tourist activities include weddings, aquatic sport, floating river lanterns, an ancient town gate ceremony, dragon-boat races, and a Suzhou birthday party. Along the way, visitors can enjoy the unique service of tea houses or wine shops in the Suzhou style, or have fun in modern café bars. They can stop and shop for Suzhou silk at the No1 Silk Mill near the tomb of Sun Ce, a hero of the Three Kingdoms period. At night, they can watch some local theatrical performances at Wangshi Garden. Floating along the Huancheng, you can experience the true vitality of Wu culture and the unique charms of this oriental water town.

A river tour gives visitors a panoramic view of spots such as Panmen Three Scenes, Hanshan Temple, and Midu Bridge. Boats travel at an average speed of 12-16 kilometers per hour so it takes about 70 minutes to finish the entire trip. Boats also stop at the Nanmen steamer pier, Xinshiqiao canal pier, and Miduqiao pier if people want to visit more.