Suzhou Travelers Recommend

The art of the traditional Chinese garden was popular among the wealthy during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and nowhere is the classic beauty of these gardens more evident than in Suzhou. Nine of these gardens make up the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Classical Gardens of Suzhou. Here’s what you need to know.   Humble Administrator’s Garden The largest garden in Suzhou, built in the early 16th century, is dominated by ponds and lakes. Visitors will also find a small museum, teahouse, and 10 pavilions for taking in the views.   Lingering Garden This Qing-style garden ranks among the most popular in China. It’s noted for its magnificent architectural details, particularly the Mandarin Duck Hall with its engraved moon gate. ** Net Master’s Garden** While on the smaller side, the Net Master’s Garden is one of the best preserved in Suzhou. Its labyrinthine courtyards, originally built in the 12th century, were meticulously restored in the 1700s.   Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty Located within the Embroidery Museum, this garden appears larger than it is thanks to a series of interconnecting pavilions placed at different heights and altitudes.   Canglang Pavilion This garden, sometimes called the Blue Wave Pavilion, is among the oldest in Suzhou, dating back to the 11th century. Canglang Pavilion is off the beaten path, and it’s a good option if you’re looking for a less touristy experience.   Lion Grove Garden Craggy rocks and interconnected caves are distinctive features of the Lion Grove Garden, built by a Buddhist monk in 1342.   Garden of Cultivation Often overlooked by international visitors, the Garden of Cultivation has a classic Chinese garden design, including water features, covered corridors, and rock formations.   Couple’s Garden Retreat Surrounded by water on three sides, the Couple’s Garden Retreat is certainly romantic, with its weeping willows, ponds, and grottoes. It’s even accessible by boat.   Retreat & Reflection Garden This garden, designed by a painter of the Wumen school, is nicknamed Garden Floating on Water for the high water level of its ponds and buildings placed right at the water’s edge.

Millennia-old Suzhou may well be one of China’s most romantic cities. Renowned for its waterways (which have earned the city its Venice of the East moniker), Suzhou also boasts heritage architecture, historical gardens, and culture in spades. Three days is the right amount of time to explore—and even plan a day trip. Here’s what to do.

Day 1: A Sightseeing Whirlwind

Dedicate your first day in town to zipping between vibrant Suzhou’s many top attractions. Begin on a scenic note with one of its UNESCO-designated classical gardens: The Humble Administrator’s Garden, the largest of the bunch, is said to be one of the finest gardens in the country. Then head up Tiger Hill for panoramic city views, spy the ancient Panmen Gate, stroll down bustling Shantang Street, and drop by the Suzhou Museum for a cultural immersion (and to admire its I.M. Pei–designed building). As darkness descends, enjoy a local dinner before heading to the opera for one final cultural foray—Kunqu-style Chinese opera has been performed here for centuries.

Day 2: Tranquil Suzhou

On your second day in town, make the quick trip to Taihu Lake, part of the Dongshan Scenic Area and one of the largest freshwater lakes in China. Depending on the itinerary you select, you can visit a local tea plantation, the ancient Luxiang Village, and Xishan Island (the largest island in the lake). Upon returning to Suzhou, continue your aquatic-themed sightseeing with a gentle boat tour along the Grand Canal as the sun starts to set. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, venture to a top-rated local restaurant to indulge in an array of local seafood specialties, slow-cooked pork, dumplings, and other treats. 

Day 3: Day-Trip Excursions

Devote your third day to a day trip, heading to Shanghai if it’s bustle that you crave, though Hangzhou—less than two hours away by bullet train—is another worthy, captivating choice. The city is famed for its gorgeous West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its 4th-century Lingyin Temple, complete with rock-carved buddhas and pagodas. Don’t forget to try staple dishes such as West Lake fish in a sweet vinegar sauce while you’re here. Alternatively, stick closer to Suzhou and explore one of the area’s heritage water towns, named for their historical canal networks. Tongli draws visitors thanks to its picturesque bridges and unspoiled beauty, while Zhouzhuang is bursting with centuries-old buildings and cinematic beauty. 

Located west of Shanghai, the pretty city of Suzhou offers a wealth of cultural refinement and far fewer crowds. Known as the Venice of the East thanks to its network of canals, the city is also celebrated for its UNESCO-designated classical gardens. Discover its key highlights all in one day—here’s how.

Morning: Visit UNESCO-Listed Gardens

Whether you’re based in Suzhou or have taken a speedy bullet train in from Shanghai, enjoy a picture-perfect introduction to the heritage city when you venture to one (or several) of its masterfully sculpted, UNESCO-listed classical gardens. The Humble Administrator’s Garden is the largest in the city and dates to the 16th century, while the Master of Nets Garden blends pretty ponds, architectural features, and charming bridges. Be sure to bring your camera with you to capture the scenery.

Afternoon: A Relaxing Canal Cruise

Break for a traditional lunch—Suzhou’s cuisine is known for its seafood dishes, as well as pan-fried dumplings and other tempting nibbles—before continuing your excursions around town. It’s no accident that Suzhou is often described as the Venice of the East: its waterways and steep bridges resemble those in the northern Italian city, and it was even visited by Marco Polo. Hop aboard a small boat and float along the Grand Canal, spying heritage architecture as you go—it’s the best way to immerse yourself in Suzhou’s scenery.

Evening: A Night at the (Chinese) Opera

Millennia-old Suzhou is renowned for its cultural riches, so an excursion to the opera is a fitting way to wind down your day in town. Kunqu opera—one of the oldest forms of Chinese opera, dating to the 16th century—is still performed regularly in Suzhou. Once the sun goes down, venture to a local theater and enjoy the unique blend of music, singing, drama, and elaborate costumes.

Suzhou may be under an hour from Shanghai, but it’s a world apart from the latter’s neon bustle. Instead, this ancient city is known for its canals, tranquil gardens, and peaceful way of life—and two days offers the perfect amount of time to immerse yourself in its unmistakable ambiance. Here’s how to plan your stay.

Day 1: Sightseeing in Style

**Morning:**Millennia-old Suzhou has accumulated a number of must-see landmarks over its long history—and your first day in town is the perfect time to get acquainted with them. Begin your trip with a sightseeing excursion: See the famed Panmen Gate, impressive Hanshan Temple, lofty Tiger Hill, and bustling Shantang Street.

**Afternoon:**After a busy morning of sightseeing, enjoy Suzhou’s tranquil side when you venture to its UNESCO-designated classical gardens, many of which are over 500 years old. The Humble Administrator’s Garden is considered one of the finest in China, while the Master of the Nets Garden is another scenic highlight.

**Evening:**As the sun goes down, wind down your first day in Suzhou with a relaxing journey along the water—the Venice of the East, as it’s known, is best explored by boat. As you float along the Grand Canal, spy the heritage architecture for which the city is celebrated. Upon disembarking, indulge in a hearty seafood meal before hitting the hay.

Day 2: Cultural Excursions

Morning: During your second day in town, discover Suzhou’s cultural highlights, from the musical to the culinary. If your belly is rumbling, get the morning off to a traditional start with a cooking master class. Learn how to prepare an array of dumplings and other local delicacies before chowing down.

Afternoon: Suzhou has long been a center of Chinese silk production, and it still operates working factories today. In the afternoon, step behind the scenes and see how the prized material is made, from the care and cultivation of silkworms up to the dying and weaving of their precious threads.

Evening: Kunqu opera—native to Suzhou and several other cities—isn’t just the “mother” of Chinese opera: It’s also on the UNESCO Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity list. Wind down your cultural day out with an evening at the opera, then, and admire the elaborately costumed performers as they sing and act out centuries-old dramas.