Why Suzhou?
Just 30 minutes from Shanghai by train, Suzhou embodies Jiangnan culture—think UNESCO gardens, silk canals, and a food scene praised by emperors. Foreign-friendly ticketing and payment options make it a hassle-free escape!
History & Culture
Founded in the Spring and Autumn period, Suzhou has a history of 2,500 years and is known as the ‘Venice of the East’ because of its dense water network. The Seven Mile Shantang Street, built under the auspices of Bai Juyi in the Tang Dynasty, is still a representative of the water town style. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Suzhou's gardens reached their peak, with the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Liouyuan Garden listed as World Heritage Sites, demonstrating the gardening philosophy of ‘although it is made by man, it is just like the sky opening up’.
Must-Visit Spots
1. Classical Gardens
Suzhou Garden Tourism Network (English version): www.szgarden.com
- Scenic spots above 4A level are equipped with overseas POS machines, supporting credit card payment.
- The Zhuozheng Garden and the Liouyuan Garden provide electronic guides in English (rental fee: RMB 30).
拙政园 Zhuozheng Garden
One of the four famous gardens in China, it is centred on water features with picturesque pavilions and terraces.
- Tickets: 80RMB (April-October) / 70RMB (off-season)
-Purchase tickets: Ctrip Overseas App, Alipay Overseas Payment.
- Address: No.178 Northeast Street, Gusu District, Suzhou, China
狮子林 Lion Grove Garden
It is famous for its Taihu Lake stone rockery, which was once inscribed by Qianlong as ‘True Interest’. Although the Lion Grove is not large, but the pavilions, pavilions, halls, halls and corridors, all the architectural forms of classical gardens here, and full of details, it is worth watching.
- Tickets: RMB 40 ｜ Code entry, Visa/Mastercard supported.
- Address: No.23, Yuanlin Road, Gusu District
2. Canals & Streets
七里山塘街 Shantang Street
Take a sculling boat (RMB 60/person) to cross the ancient bridge and swim at night with lights like a dream.
Hidden camera position: west section of Xinmin Bridge, avoiding tourists and capturing the original marketplace.
平江路 Pingjiang Road
Pingjiang Road in Suzhou is a historical street full of the flavour of the Jiangnan water town, with many special shops and old buildings, where you can experience the traditional culture of Chinese opera. The Song Dynasty ‘double chessboard’ pattern is well-preserved, and the teahouses along the river can be used to listen to pianoforte.
-Tickets: Free
-Address: Pingjiang Road Historical Quarter, Gusu District, Suzhou, China
-Transportation:
- Subway: Take Line 1/6 and get off at Linton Road Station, Exit 5, walk for about 800m to Renhengcang Street
- Self-driving: You can park your car in the ‘Heji Plaza Parking Lot’
- Public transport: Bus No. 40/5 can be used to arrive at the street.
3.Modern Highlights
金鸡湖 Jinji Lake
The ‘Gate of the Orient’ (Big Pants), the first shop of Chengpin Bookstore in mainland China. The Balloon Restaurant on the 53rd floor of the Gate of the Orient offers a double feast of delicious food and beautiful scenery, with a 180° panoramic view of Jinji Lake, which is breathtakingly beautiful! - Nightlife: Li Gongdi Bar Street, a fusion of commentary and jazz.
West bank of the lake: Gate of the Orient + Suzhou Centre, eat, drink and play all in one. Net red card points waiting for you to unlock, wide-angle lens + creative stone pier, the same style of beautiful photos easily get 📸!
East shore of the lake: culture and art centre + sincerity bookstore, art atmosphere comes, exhibitions, staircase theme is always changing, take pictures super Feel! Moonlight pier commercial street can not be ignored.
Li Gong Causeway: Jinji Lake walkway, shops and hotels are dotted. The Lake Pavilion is the holy place for taking photos, with the big autumn trousers and IFS at your fingertips.
Foodie’s Guide
1. Su Cuisine
松鹤楼 Songhelou Restaurant
- Must Order: Squirrel Guppy (sweet and sour, crispy), Cherry Pork (melt in your mouth).
- Address: Shantang Street
- Per capita: RMB 150-200
哑巴生煎 Yaba Shengjian
- Must Order: thin skin and crispy bottom, full of soup, preferred by locals for breakfast.
-Address: Lindun Road
-Per capita: RMB20
2. Street Bites
朱鸿兴面馆 Zhuhongxing Noodle House
- Must Order: Three Shrimp Noodle (Shrimp kernel, Shrimp Roe, Shrimp Brain), Maple Town Big Pork Noodle.
- Address: Guanqian Street
- Per capita: RMB 30
潘玉麟糖粥 Pan Yulin Sweet Porridge
- Must Order: sugar porridge with adzuki bean paste, century-old stall, afternoon stalls only.
-Address: Southwest of the intersection of Linden Road and West Baita Road.
Transportation
Shanghai→Suzhou:
- High-speed Railway: Shanghai Station/Hongqiao→Suzhou Station (25-30 minutes, fare 39 RMB), Metro Line 4 directly to the ancient city centre.
- Self-drive: Shanghai-Changshu Expressway about 1.5 hours, scenic car park 8-10 RMB/hour.
Suzhou
- Subway: Line 4 connects the Humble Administrator's Garden, Guanqian Street and Tongli Ancient Town.
- Bus: Tour 1 covers the main gardens and supports Alipay code-sweeping for buses.
Pro Tips
-Avoid the crowds: choose weekday mornings for garden tours, when the garden opens at 7:30am.
-Hanbok Travelling Photography: Rent Hanbok on Pingjiang Road (RMB 50/hour), the Couple's Bamboo Garden and Canglang Pavilion are the best places to take pictures of the flowers and windows.
-Hidden experience: Fuxiqin Museum on Pingjiang Road can book guqin lessons (RMB 150/hour).
Suzhou is a tapestry of contrasts: lotus ponds in classical gardens, skyscrapers by Jinji Lake, century-old recipes, and steaming street stalls. Here, every corner whispers Jiangnan’s soul. Pack your curiosity and let Suzhou enchant you!