ABOUT SUZHOU
Suzhou: A great place to live
Famous for its gardens, beautiful women and silk, the ancient and moated city of Suzhou , just sixty minutes from Shanghai by train, lies at the point where the rail line meets the Grand Canal, about 30km to the east of Tai Hu. The town itself is built on a network of interlocking canals whose waters feed the series of renowned classical gardens which are Suzhou's pride and glory.
Crisscrossed with water and dotted with greenery, the city retains enough traces of its original character to merit a visit of at least several days, though these days Suzhou's chief claim to fame - from the locals' point of view - is as home to "Little Singapore", an entire industrial city being built on the outskirts by Singaporean investment.
Popular Chinese legend states that, "In heaven there is paradise, and on earth there are Hangzhou and Suzhou". Suzhou (population 6.1 million), has been praised as a "paradise on earth" since ancient times. Suzhou has enjoyed great prosperity and recognition over the years and this is an extraordinarily delicate and elegant city in parts. However, it is an exaggeration to refer to this pretty place as "paradise". Like many other cities in China, the bulldozers and cranes have moved in.
However, the crowds of tourists here can get unbearable and Suzhou is a favorite with Chinese tour groups who are bussed in and out on day trips. It's most pleasant therefore, in the early evening when the sun is going down and the streets are emptying. The canals and quaint little houses and alleys are charming at this time. Get there fast though, as things are changing. Hotels, skyscrapers and highways are going up and urban renewal is eating away at this little area of "paradise".
History of Suzhou
Suzhou is one of the oldest towns in the Yangtze basin, founded in about 600 BC but really making its fame one thousand years later when the Grand Canal was up and running. The great location that the city affords helped Suzhou become a prosperous trading area and the silk industry especially boomed here. By the 14th Century, Suzhou had become the leading silk producer in China and this quaint little retreat became popular with visitors from the imperial court at Hangzhou. Artists, scholars and painters all retreated to this "Venice of the East" to seek inspiration and to relax.
Suzhou was one of the few cities in China to escape the ravages of the Cultural Revolution and its famous gardens survived almost intact. It is the gardens here, which are the most famous attraction in the city. The gardens embody the harmonious principles of Chinese garden construction which dictate that gardens should attempt to create a microcosm of the universe in a confined space. Amongst the most charming are the Garden of the Master of the Nets and the Humble Administrators Garden. The intimate gardens here are particularly pleasant on a misty day and Sushi¡¯s narrow streets and lanes can be very romantic and relaxing.
Sushi¡¯s cultural sites and temples are also worth a visit. Hanshan Temple's distinctive atmosphere and construction are unforgettable. The Temple of Mystery and West Garden Temple are both excellent examples of Daoist and Buddhist tradition respectively. Also, Tiger Hill is a great spot to explore and spend a lazy afternoon in a historical setting. Suzhou's profound cultural and historical background as an ancient capital has helped make this one of China's premier tourism cities.
Climate
The best time to travel to Suzhou is April to October, when the trees and flowers of this garden city are green and in full bloom. Nevertheless, Suzhou is an excellent destination throughout the year as winters are mild. Suzhou climate is considered subtropical with an average temperature of 15 to 17 degrees centigrade. The annual average rainfall is 1076 mm.
Land of Plenty
Dongting East&West hills by Taihu Lake are famous not only for the attractive scenery but for the abundant fruits including mainly tangerines, loquats and red bayberries. Thus the hills are also called ¡° hills of flowers&fruits ¡± .
As early as Tang dynasty, ¡° Dongting Hong¡± tangerines were listed as a tribute to the emperor.
Among Dongting tangerines, there is a kind ¡°Liao Tangerine¡± that has a long maturation period and is fit for long-time storing.
The color, fragrance and taste of them have no change even when they are put to the market as late as the Spring Festival.
There has been manual cultivation of water shield since the last years of Ming dynasty. The water field grows very fast. The roots start to sprout around the Pure Brightness festival every year and the tender leaves picked at this time are called ¡° spring water shield¡±.
Immigration
Settle down in a completely strange city is not an easy thing. Anyway, let us tell you the correct procedures in this chapter. Almost without exception, visitors from most countries will require a visa to enter China. The expatriates may enter with F, L or even Z-visa as required. All foreigners entering China, within 48 hours have to register the Temporary Residence Record which is a part of China's domestic police force. For the visa extending or renewing before expiration, expatriates have to go to the Immigration Bureau to submit the renewal application. FULLHOME has an experienced immigration team to offer complete scope of professional service to the related visa issues, in order for you to avoid the struggle of a complex administrative process while obtaining the documents you need to legally live in China.
The process will take about in 20 authoritativedays. ?
Here are the required documents you need in order to live legally in China :
? Visa
? Work Permit
? Residence Permit
Here are the necessary steps required to obtain these documents:
Step 1 Temporary Residence Permit
It is a simple registration process you need to do within the 24 hours following your arrival in Suzhou . This procedure is to be done at the closest police station in the district you are living in. It is free of charge; you just need to bring :
? your passport
? 1 picture
? a copy of your company's Business License.
? house leasing contract
Step 2 Health Certificate
The examination and tests required to get this permit may be done in your home country, but the Chinese Government may not accept an overseas exam. If you are having your exam here, proceed to the Suzhou Health Examination-Health Certificate. To apply for a health exam, you will need to prepare the following documents:
? Passport
? 3 passport-sized photos
? Fee: RMB 698 + 60 (for Urgent service)
Suzhou Immigration and Entry Inspection Quarantine Bureau
Address: No.98.Shihu Dong Lu, Wuzhong District, Suzhou
Step 3 Work License (Valid for half a year)
It can be applied at the Labor Bureau Foreign Employment Administration Office. You will need to prepare the following documents:
? The foreign Work Application Form with company stamp or Personal application Form
? Copy of the business license
? The copy of the organization machinery code certificate
? The copy of the permit for foreign investment enterprise
? Resume
? Qualifications Proof (Copy of personal highest degree, Skill certificate)
? Copy of passport +No-Criminal Certificate + Original copy and copy of Health Certificate
? Fee: Free
Suzhou Administration Center
Address: 2F, International Building, Industrial Park District, Suzhou
Step 4 Temporary Z Visa
It can be applied for at the Division of Aliens & Exit-Entry Administration, and you will need to prepare the following documents:
? The copy of the Work License
? The copy of the Health Certificate
? Temporary residence registration
? The copy of the business license
? Application Form with company stamp
? Passport
? Fee :RMB160
You can go to the Immigration and Entry Management Department of the Police Station in your residential area
Step 5 Work Permit (Red Book)
This is usually obtained through your employer via an application to the Labor Bureau Foreign Employment Administration Office . You will need to prepare the following documents:
? Work License
? The copy of Health Certificate
? Passport and Temporary Z Visa
? Work registration form
? The copy of your work contract
? 3 Passport photos and the copy of your Residence Registration Certificate
Suzhou Administration Center
Address: 2F, International Building, Industrial Park District, Suzhou
Step 6 Employment Visa (Z) (valid for one year) and Residence Permit (Green Book)
You can apply simultaneously for the Z Visa and Residence Permit at the Division of Aliens & Exit-Entry Administration. You will need to prepare the following documents:
? Work Permit
? Health Certificate
? Temporary residence registration
? Copy of the business license
? The copy of the organization machinery code certificate
? The copy of the permit for foreign investment enterprise
? Application Form with company stamp
? Employment registration form
? Passport
? 2 Passport photos
? Fee depends on your nationality
You can go to the Immigration and Entry Management Department of the Police Station in your residential area.
?If you unfortunately lose your passport, first report the loss on the second floor in Administration Center. Address : No. 128, Sanxiang Road, Suzhou.
Hotline: 68661471 (9:00 am ¨C 5:00pm)
For the detailed information,you also can explore the Suzhou Municipal Adiministrative Service Centre webside:
http://www.fwzx.suzhou.gov.cn/EnglishEdition.aspx
