Picturesque gardens, national-style pagodas and temples, interesting museums and cultural establishments are the main sights of present Suzhou. The ancient Guanqian Street is one of the most picturesque in the city. It was laid out more than half a century ago. The 760-meter-long street accommodates the city's oldest shops and restaurants. Given the fact that they are all housed in beautiful historic buildings, walking down the street becomes an even more interesting event. When it comes to outstanding historic buildings, Hanshan Temple deserves special attention. Built directly on the Grand Canal in the early 6th century, it got its name in honor of a monk who lived in the temple. Unfortunately, the temple did not survive in its original form to our days - it has been repeatedly rebuilt and radically changed its appearance. The last major reconstruction of the Hanshan took place in the middle of the 17th century. Its look has not been changed much since then. The Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhuozheng Yuan) is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the city. The landscape garden is striking with a variety of decorations: there are two beautiful ponds and countless trees and flowers in the park. Besides the luxurious landscaping, several beautiful old mansions have been preserved in the garden. Their appearance uniquely harmonizes with surrounding landscapes. A garden with the unusual name of The Lion Grove Garden is also sure to please both nature enthusiasts
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