Location: Suzhou
Top Things to do in Suzhou
The 10 Best Things to Do in Suzhou, China
Suzhou is a major city on the lower Yangtze known for its canals, bridges, pagodas, and beautiful gardens. These gardens were built and owned by wealthy families and emperors hundreds of years ago, and make for a pleasant place to wander during nice weather. Suzhou is also a major center for silk production and manufacturing, and a tour of a silk factory here provides an interesting and educational glimpse of this Chinese textile industry. Suzhou is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Restaurants in Suzhou
1. The Classical Gardens of Suzhou
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 589 reviews
Reviewed By photodigichick - Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Small, compact Chinese garden showing all the elements (rock, water and plants). The garden and buildings were centered around a pond. There were different rooms in the home showing how the family lived and entertained during that period of time. I found the tour educational, peaceful, inspirational and beautiful.
2. The Lingering Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 676 reviews
A Brief Description of the Lingering Garden Located at the outer side of the Chang Gate and built in the 21st year of the reign of Wanli under the Ming Dynasty (AD 1593), the Lingering Garden is reputed to be one of the four most famous Gardens of China. In 1961 it was listed from the very first as cultural relics of national importance. Since 1997 it has been inscribed on the World Cultural Heritage List. The Lingering Garden, covering 23,310 sq.m., is divided into the middle, eastern, western and northern parts. The middle part features fascinating landscapes and waterscapes. The eastern part is noted for its architectural beauties and limestone rockeries. The northern part is famed for its beautiful bonsai garden. And the western part boasts the mountain forest scenery and the delights of Wilderness. Celebrated for its superb handling of architectural space and spatial relations, the Lingering Garden serves as a fine specimen of ancient Chinese garden and landscape design and reputably tops all the well-known Gardens in Suzhou. The Lingering Garden provides English tour guide for free every hour since 2017. You can also choose to pay for a professional English guide with different guiding route or a guiding machine. Hope that during your short stay here, you can not only satisfy your eyes, but also experience the real Chinese culture and have a better understanding of our philosophy.
Reviewed By Anna-Maria U - Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Even we are not garden/flower people we had wonderful time is such a beautiful place. So many work to keep this garden in such a well condition. Absolutely recommend it .
3. Suzhou Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 709 reviews
Reviewed By td2traveller - Northallerton, United Kingdom
The museum was more interesting than anticipated with a number of cultural exhibits both local and from other parts of China.
4. Lion Forest Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 678 reviews
Reviewed By Rick M - Wellington, New Zealand
This is one of the only Zen Gardens remaining in China, started in the 14th century and now a World heritage site. It is a graceful collection of Gardens, ponds, highly decorated halls and rock Gardens. It is very beautiful and relaxing - well worth a visit.
5. Tongli TownVisit SuzhouOriental Old Water Town
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 738 reviews
Reviewed By mcmusgro - Westborough, Massachusetts
Came here for a few hours. Walked through a garden and took a cruise through the town. Plenty of places that offer pictures in traditional Chinese clothing along the canals. Fun visit.
6. Humble Administrator's Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By yeonghaur - Singapore, Singapore
One of Suzhou's most famous Gardens. It is meticulously and thoughtfully landscaped. Beautiful but for me, a little artificial and difficult to appreciate. There are probably deeper meanings and significance to the way the Gardens are landscaped and arranged.
Garden is hugely popular. Be prepared for the crowd.
7. Panmen Gate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 162 reviews
Reviewed By Nigel G - Singapore
Visit early to avoid the midday sun.
Nice pagoda and landscaped Gardens / pools. In addition there is also a temple dedicated to Wu Zixu. A court official - military. His image is in the temple and symbolic weapons. Nice for a walk around - even better if Chinese tour guides could speak a little softer. Lots to see - allow 60 - 90 minutes.
Free to visit for all guests at Pan Pacific Hotel via the rear door on production of your key card!
8. Jinji Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 369 reviews
Reviewed By rpowell91 - Cardiff, United Kingdom
lovely place to take a walk and see the temples, pagodas and architecture on offer in what Id say 'old China'.
9. Tiger HillVisit SuzhouSuzhou Temples
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 888 reviews
Reviewed By Jesslyn C
The highlight of this historical nature park is the leaning pagoda which located at the highest ground from the entrance.Climbing up the 100 steps of rocky steps before reaching the base of the pagoda is tiring but definitely worth the climb. There is a big bamboo garden at one corner of the park, leisure stroll among the bamboo trees definitely is so relaxing & refreshing !
10. Pingjiang Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 827 reviews
Reviewed By pojaya - Sydney, Australia
It was very crowded on a weekend afternoon we were here, but had a pleasant walk along this olde worlde part of Suzhou. There are a few stalls selling snacks, as well as some restaurants towards the bottom end (not the garden end).
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