The next World Heritage Meeting is drawing nearer, and international attention is focusing on the host city -- Suzhou, a quaint city in east China's Jiangsu Province. Suzhou is hoping to cash in on this golden opportunity to apply for world cultural heritage status. But local officials say it'll take two or three years before they know whether Suzhou has made it onto the coveted list.

Suzhou's 2,500-year history has left a wealth of cultural and historical heritages. What merits special attention is that the old city never moved from its original site. The city's complex underwater system and linear layout are well preserved and unchanged, which is very rare for old Chinese cities.

Suzhou's gardens are already listed as a world cultural heritage. And the rest of the ancient town now wants to follow suit. To increase its chances, the city has already started renovating major scenic sites and suburban areas.

(CCTV.com March 24, 2004)