Suizhou

Suizhou is a city in northern Hubei with deep roots in Chinese antiquity, revered as the legendary hometown of Yandi Shennong, the mythical Flame Emperor credited with inventing agriculture and herbal medicine. Its greatest archaeological treasure is the Tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng, which yielded an astonishing set of bianzhong bronze bells that reshaped understanding of ancient Chinese music. The countryside includes the forests of Mount Dahong and a valley of thousand-year-old ginkgo trees. Suizhou is one of China's largest producers of shiitake mushrooms, a mainstay of local cooking. With a humid subtropical climate and high-speed rail between Wuhan and Xi'an, it is rich in history and rural charm.