Suzhou, renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage gardens like the Humble Administrator’s Garden and the Lingering Garden, offers a window into China’s classical aesthetic and architectural mastery often obscured by the country’s rapid modernization. Strolling along the serene canals or beneath the arching willows of Tiger Hill, it’s easy to see why Suzhou has earned its moniker as the Venice of the East (and ranks #30 for Nature & Parks). This is a city where heritage thrives—captured in the delicate Su embroidery, Suzhou Pingtan performances and the exquisite flavors of Biluochun tea and Yangcheng Lake’s renowned hairy crabs. Suzhou also ranks #44 for Sights & Landmarks, complemented by contemporary icons like the Suzhou Museum of art and design, designed by starchitect I.M. Pei, and the Suzhou Center Mall, a stunning blend of retail and recreation.
But Suzhou is also an economic powerhouse of more than six million. With a staggering GDP of US$336 billion in 2023 and a per capita GDP of more than US$25,000, Suzhou has the 12th-lowest unemployment rate in our ranking. The city’s economic drive is fueled by its robust manufacturing and technology sectors dominated by many of the #19-ranked Fortune 500 companies and underpinned by 830,000 private enterprises, which generate over 80% of local employment.