The Top 12 Things To Do In Suzhou
With its beautiful classical parks, old canals, and rich cultural history, Suzhou is known as the “Venice of the East.” This ancient city is in the middle of Jiangsu Province and has many things to see and do that bring people from all over the world. Suzhou has a lot of things to do that show off its timeless charm. Two of these are taking walks through beautifully designed parks and visiting old water towns. Here is a list of the twelve best things to see and do in Suzhou. Each one tells you something new about the city’s history and culture.
1，Visit the Classical Gardens.
The Suzhou traditional gardens are famous all over the world and have been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of their historical importance and stunning beauty. The beautiful grounds here show that Suzhou was a center for Chinese garden planning. Their history goes back to the 1100s.
The Humble Administrator’s park is the largest and best-known traditional park in Suzhou. You should start your tour here. This urban oasis has 52 acres of lovely plants, walks that wind around lakes, quiet ponds, and lovely buildings. It’s a great spot to rest and relax. As you walk through the garden, enjoy its intricate design and lush greenery. Also, don’t miss the chance to find a peaceful place to sit and think in one of its many lovely spots.
Distance to City Center: Approximately 3 kilometers
Entrance Ticket Price: CNY 70
Opening Hours: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Recommended Restaurant Nearby: Garden Cafe (园林咖啡厅)
2，Visit Pingjiang Road
In Suzhou, Pingjiang Road is an old road that takes you back in time and shows off the city’s rich culture history. This beautiful path, lined with old buildings, teahouses, and small shops, takes tourists back in time.
Slow down as you walk along the gravel streets and admire the immaculately kept buildings while you eat some local specialties. Find secret tunnels and gardens where artists work and locals go about their daily lives. From small cafés to traditional silk shops, Pingjiang Road has a great mix of sounds and sights that capture the timeless charm of Suzhou.
Distance to City Center: In the heart of the city
Entrance Ticket Price: Free
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Recommended Restaurant Nearby: Pingjiang House (平江居)
3，Sail the Grand Canal: A Trip on the Water
The Grand Canal is one of the oldest and longest man-made rivers in the world. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Grand Canal, which is 1,100 miles long and connects Beijing and Hangzhou, was an important part of China’s old transportation system and is still a famous route today.
You can sail around Shantang Street, one of Suzhou’s most beautiful streets, in a traditional wooden boat. As you float peacefully through the canals, take in the beautiful old buildings and historical sites that dot the landscape. Enjoy the view as you float by old stone bridges and listen to the sounds of the canal as you pass fishermen at work, among other things.
Distance to City Center: Approximately 4 kilometers
Entrance Ticket Price: Varies by cruise operator
Opening Hours: Varies by cruise operator
Recommended Restaurant Nearby: Shantang Street Restaurant (山塘街餐厅)
4，Learn about the history of Suzhou at Tiger Hill
Learn about Suzhou’s history and culture by going to Tiger Hill, which is one of the city’s most well-known landmarks. An old hill called Huqiu has been a culture hub for more than 2,500 years, through many dynasties and powers.
People come to see the Yunyan Pagoda, also known as the “Leaning Tower of China.” Like Pisa’s, this tower from the Song Dynasty leans dangerously. Ascend the tower to get a full view of Suzhou and the area around it. There are also displays and artifacts that tell you about the city’s past.
Check out Tiger Hill’s myths, like King Helü’s grave and the Sword Pool, where a tomb full of wealth is said to be. To learn about Suzhou’s history and culture, go to its green parks, calm ponds, and old buildings.
Distance to City Center: Approximately 5 kilometers
Entrance Ticket Price: CNY 80
Opening Hours: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Recommended Restaurant Nearby: Tiger Hill Restaurant (虎丘餐厅)
5，Go to the Suzhou Museum to see painting and building
You can see art and building at the Suzhou Museum, which is a culture gem in the middle of the city. The museum’s large collection of antiques and works of art are set off by this modern gem by the famous architect I. M. Pei, which combines traditional Suzhou-style building with modern design.
Check out the museum’s many rooms, which are full of interesting artifacts from Suzhou’s past and present. Old pottery, silk embroidery, and writing from Suzhou show off the city’s creative past. Explore the museum’s peaceful grounds, which have sculptures and water features that are good for quiet thought.
Distance to City Center: Approximately 2 kilometers
Entrance Ticket Price: Free
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Recommended Restaurant Nearby: Suzhou Museum Cafe (苏州博物馆咖啡馆)
6，Take a trip through Zhouzhuang Water Town’s old canals
Zhouzhuang Water Town is known as the “Venice of the East,” and you can visit for the day to see its old canals, stone bridges, and traditional buildings. This pretty lake town is only a short drive from Suzhou. Its well-kept alleyways and hundreds-year-old houses show China’s country past.
Small alleys and arched bridges let you see Zhouzhuang’s lovely ancient neighborhoods. Learn about the history and culture of the place by going to the Twin Bridges, Fu’an Bridge, and Shen House. On a boat ride through the canals, you can enjoy the beauty and easygoing vibe of this peaceful haven.
Distance to City Center: Approximately 35 kilometers
Entrance Ticket Price: CNY 100
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Recommended Restaurant Nearby: Zhouzhuang Water Town Restaurant (周庄水乡餐厅)
7，Enjoy Master of the Nets Garden: A Place to Relax
The Master of the Nets Garden is a peaceful haven. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most beautiful traditional garden in Suzhou. This beautifully landscaped park is over 800 years old and is famous for its peace, harmony, and beautiful buildings.
Walk along winding walks, arched bridges, and quiet ponds to see the garden’s beautiful surroundings. You can see buildings, rock gardens, and bonsai trees that have been carefully placed to create balance and unity. To see Suzhou’s traditional art form, Kunqu opera, go to a show in the garden’s beautiful theater.
Distance to City Center: Approximately 3 kilometers
Entrance Ticket Price: CNY 40
Opening Hours: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Recommended Restaurant Nearby: Master of the Nets Garden Teahouse (网师园茶庄)
8，Look at Panmen Gate, which leads to Suzhou’s history.
The old Panmen Gate is a historic site that takes you back in time and shows you some of Suzhou’s rich building history. Panmen Gate, which is more than 2,500 years old, is the oldest city gate in China that is still in use. It shows how important Suzhou has been strategically throughout history.
There are tall watchtowers, stone walls, and a number of intricate water gates that meet you as you approach the gate. These structures were once part of Suzhou’s strong defense system. Enter the gate’s grand door and look around its rooms inside. There are interesting displays and exhibits that tell you about the gate’s long history.
When you get to the top of the gate, you can see a wide view of Suzhou and the nearby area. You can also admire the skill and engineering that went into building it. Do not miss the chance to walk along the nearby city walls. They provide a unique view of Suzhou’s old buildings and city planning.
Distance to City Center: Approximately 6 kilometers
Entrance Ticket Price: CNY 60
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Recommended Restaurant Nearby: Panmen Gate Restaurant (盘门饭店)
9，Go to the Suzhou Kunqu Opera Museum to see Kunqu opera: Preserving cultural heritage
This museum in Suzhou lets you enjoy the beauty of Kunqu opera. To preserve and spread this ancient art form is the job of a museum. “Mother of all Chinese operas,” Kunqu opera, has been around for almost 600 years and is known for its beautiful movements, beautiful music, and lyrical lyrics.
Historic artifacts, outfits, and musical instruments show Kunqu opera’s long past and cultural significance in China at the museum. Masterful local actors bring classic stories of love, loyalty, and bravery to life on stage.
Distance to City Center: Approximately 4 kilometers
Entrance Ticket Price: CNY 50
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Recommended Restaurant Nearby: Kunqu Opera Museum Restaurant (昆曲博物馆餐厅)
10，Suzhou silk museum
Check out the Suzhou Silk Museum to learn about the fascinating process of making silk. Old art of sericulture comes to life in this museum. Silk making has been done in Suzhou for more than 4,000 years. Silkworms were raised and complicated materials were woven at the museum.
You can look at rooms that show beautiful silk clothes, embroidered textiles, and historic objects. Each one tells you something about Suzhou’s history as a center for silk trade and skill around the world. You can watch examples of how to weave silk, try your hand at drawing on silk, and learn about the cultural importance of silk in China.
Distance to City Center: Approximately 3 kilometers
Entrance Ticket Price: Free
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Recommended Restaurant Nearby: Silk Museum Cafe (丝绸博物馆咖啡馆)
11,Check out Suzhou Industrial Park, which is a modern haven in the middle of the city.
This is the more modern side of Suzhou. Go to the Suzhou Industrial Park to see it. It’s a busy spot for technology, new ideas, and city growth. Many of the global companies, research institutions, and cutting-edge facilities that help Suzhou’s economy grow and develop are located in this huge complex that covers more than 288 square kilometers.
You can take your time going through the park’s public areas, parks, and seaside walkways. They’re a nice change from living in the city. Smart city planning and design are important to Suzhou, as seen in its modern buildings and famous spots like the Suzhou Center Mall and the Suzhou Science and Cultural Arts Center.
Distance to City Center: Approximately 10 kilometers
Entrance Ticket Price: Free
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Recommended Restaurant Nearby: Industrial Park Cafe (工业园区咖啡馆)
12，Enjoy the culinary delights of Suzhou: a culinary adventure
You can’t leave Suzhou without trying its famously delicious food, which is known for its delicate tastes, fresh ingredients, and beautiful presentation. Suzhou’s food is both varied and tasty. It has everything from savory soups and juicy dumplings to sweet cakes and fragrant teas.
Traditional Suzhou food can be enjoyed at well-known places like Songhelou and De Yue Lou. There you can try dishes like squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, roasted pork belly, and sweet lotus root soup. Don’t miss the chance to visit Suzhou’s busy night markets, where street sellers sell a wide range of snacks and traditional street foods, such as spicy Jianbing pancakes and crispy fried stinky tofu.
Distance to City Center: Varies depending on the restaurant
Entrance Ticket Price: N/A
Opening Hours: Varies depending on the restaurant
Recommended Restaurant Nearby: Songhelou Restaurant (松鹤楼) or De Yue Lou Restaurant (得月楼)
