Gates and Canals

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The Grand Canal is an extensive network of man-made waterways and the longest in the world, stretching over 1,000 miles. For centuries, it served as one of the most important transportation systems for the southern and northern regions of China, facilitating the movement of goods and people. The Suzhou section, which is about  59 miles, also links to major historic sites such as Pan Gate, the Humble Administrator's Garden, and Shantang Street. Along its banks, other contemporary high-rise developments stand beside the preserved historic structures.

Pan Gate, also known as Panmen and Panmen Gate, is located at the southwest edge of the city and forms part of a surviving section of the ancient city wall. The site is unique for its duality in design: one gate opens to the land for foot and cart traffic, while another faces the canal, allowing boats to pass through. Because of this combination, it is often called Suzhou’s “Land and Water Gate.” The water entrance links the city’s inner canals and former defensive moat directly to the Grand Canal. The gate once served as the city’s sole point of entry and exit, and one of the gates has been dated to 514 BC. The structure seen today dates to around 1351, as it was rebuilt during the Yuan dynasty.

The Gate to the East, also referred to as the Gate of the Orient, is the second of Suzhou’s tallest modern landmarks (Suzhou IFS is the tallest). Rising to 990 feet, it was designed as a contemporary gateway and towers within the China–Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP). It was positioned precisely where the historic east–west axis of Suzhou’s Old Town meets the western edge of Jinji Lake. Construction began in 2004 and concluded in 2016, with a total investment of around USD $700 million. The complex is a mixed-use structure that houses offices, serviced apartments, a luxury hotel, and a large retail center. The building has occasionally attracted public attention due to its distinctive form, with some people referring to it in a comedic vein as a pair of "long johns" or "big trousers".