Suzhou is located in the center of the Yangtze Delta, in the south of Jiangsu Province, with Shanghai to the east, Zhejiang Province to the south, Wuxi City to the west and the Yangtze River to the north. Since 42% area of the city is covered by water, including a vast number of ponds and streams, Suzhou is praised as the 'Oriental Venice'. Taihu Lake, four fifths of which is in the territory of Suzhou, is one of the four largest fresh lakes in China, with East Hill, West Hill and other scenic spots in its vicinity. The city is cut by the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal from north to south. Together with its mild climate, making it an available destination all year round, fertile landscape and abundance of produce, it is no wonder that Suzhou is called 'paradise on earth'.
Built in 514 BC, Suzhou is an ancient city with a 2500 years' history. The unique characteristics of the past are still retained in present-day Suzhou. The double-chessboard layout of Suzhou, with 'the streets and rivers go side by side while the water and land routes run in parallel', are preserved basically intact. Strolling the streets, you can feel the unique lingering charm of this landscape left by its long history.
As the saying goes - 'Gardens to the south of Yangtze River are the best in the world, and Suzhou gardens are the best among them'. These gardens attain their high reputation not only for their vast numbers, but also for their charming natural beauty and harmonious construction. At present more than 60 gardens are kept intact in Suzhou, and a series of them have been listed in the World Heritage List, including the Humble Administrator's Garden, the Lingering Garden, the Garden of Master of Nets and the Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty.
Rating alongside these classical gardens are the exquisite water townships in Suzhou. Zhouzhuang, Mudu, Tongli Town and so on should not be missed by any visitor. In any water township of Suzhou, a number of Ming and Qing dynasty preserved buildings can be found. The natural sights and human landscape enhance each other's beauty, which is a great attraction to visitors who linger there.
Being the cradle of Wu Culture, Suzhou plays a vital role in Chinese cultural history. Many great names and schools of art arose here. For example, the Wumen Fine Arts School is the finest in the history of Suzhou, represented by Shen Zhou, Wen Zhengming, Tang Yin and Qiu Ying, whose poems, calligraphy and paintings are considered to be historical artifacts. Pingtan, Kun Opera and Suzhou Opera are praised as 'three flowers' in the cultural history of Suzhou. Furthermore, embroidery, fans and brocade produced in Suzhou are noted world wide. If you want to explore more on their history visit the museum of Suzhou folk-costume for a complete description.
As one of the famous tourist cities in China, Suzhou has made a great improvement to its basic facilities and tourist functions. Suzhou is accessible by plane, train and bus. Star-rated hotels with good services and reasonable guesthouses and hostels provide a range of lodging. Of course, tasting local delicacies should not be forgotten in your journey. Authentic Suzhou cuisines and snacks can be found in Guan Qian Street, where delicious food and friendly service are memorable. When night falls, Suzhou City is quiet and peaceful. You can enjoy it while sipping a cup of tea in any teahouse.
Recommended Suzhou Package Tour Itinerary:
Suzhou Tour: 4 Days Suzhou-Zhouzhuang-SuzhouRecommended Tour including the visit to Suzhou:
Classical Gardens Tour: 12 Days Shanghai-Huangshan-Suzhou-Zhouzhuang-Suzhou-Hangzhou–Beijing More Suzhou Tour Information:
Golf Tour: 8 Days Golf Tour of Suzhou - Wuxi - Nanjing
Bicycle Tour: Offer information about cycling in and around Suzhou
Recommended Hotels in Neighboring Cities of Suzhou:
Zhouzhuang Hotels
Changshu Hotels
Zhangjiagang Hotels
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Travelers' Voices on Suzhou
1.
Nov. 30,2009 09:33 Reply
Ms.Angela(Korea) said:
I am planning a one day trip to a town outside of Shanghai. I came across Suzhou and Zhujiajiao. Can someone tell me which of the two I should visit since I won't be able to go to both. Will it be worth the travel in early December? Also, I would like to know the fasted way to reach either of the two towns from Shanghai and the cost for method of travel.
Nov. 30,2009 22:05
Ms.Shirley replied:
Well, I prefer Suzhou, which is much more charming than Zhujiajiao. Although it is winter in Dec, you could have a nice time at these classic gardens in Suzhou. At Shanghai Railway Station, there are so many bullet trains departing to Suzhou everyday. The journey is just about 40 minutes and takes you CNY26.
2.
Nov. 28,2009 15:43 Reply
Mr.VANMARB(United Kingdom) said:
Hello,
My wife and myself hope to visit China next May. Towards the end of the planned visit we will stay some time in Shanghai.
If possible we would like to make a day trip to Suzhou and also stop at Zhouzhuang on the way back to Shanghai.
Will it be possible to visit both Suzhou and Zhouzhuang during a one day trip leaving Shanghai early in the morning and returning late that same day?
Also please advise if this trip could be made by train as it appears to be the quickest and safest way to travel.
Thank you for your advice.
Bernard
Nov. 28,2009 20:46
Mr.Zhao replied:
Hi, I think you could just go to visit one place in one day. If you would like to visit Suzhou, you could take a bullte train at Shanghai Railway Station to arrive there in one hour. After one-day's visit, you could take a train to return to Shanghai, too.
If you would like to go to Zhouzhuang, you have to catch a bus at the Tourists Center of Shanghai on early morning. Usually, it is suggested that you join in the one-day's tour group tp Zhouzhuang.
3.
Nov. 27,2009 14:37 Reply
Ms.Sharlyn(Singapore ) said:
Hello! I will be going to Suzhou University in December for a short school trip. Winter clothings in Singapore are rather expensive (jackets/coats on the average range from above $100 to $200, with the really good and stylish ones at way higher prices), so I'm wondering if I should actually bring minimal clothings over, and purchase all the necessary items such as thermal wear, 2nd layering sweater and coat/jacket when I am in Suzhou. Are the winter clothings in Suzhou cheap, and is there anywhere near the university where I can actually buy winter clothings from?
Thank you in advance!
Nov. 28,2009 20:44
Mr.Zhao replied:
Well, I think you could purchase warm clothes in Suzhou, where you could find many trendy clothes at reasonable price. U could purchse clothes at any supermarket or department store in downtown area. Very easy to do it!
4.
Nov. 18,2009 07:51 Reply
Mr.Matt said:
How do you get to downtown Suzhou from Taicang or Kunshan? Can you give me the details (cost, bus #, times, etc) by bus, train and taxi?
Nov. 22,2009 22:19
Mr.Jameswong replied:
Kunshan to Suzhou: 18 minutes by bullet trains (D trains), 21 minutes by T trains, 24 minutes by K trains. there are nearly 40 trains a day from Kunshan to Suzhou. the ticket fare is : 10-13RMB by train. You can also travel by bus. Kunshan Bus Statio has buses to Suzhou North/South Bus Station (North bus station is closer to the railway station) every 10 minutes or so and takes one hour. The bus ticket costs about 15RMB.
Taicang to Suzhou: by bus, the bus ticket costs about 25RMB. The journey is about 2 hours.
Nov. 22,2009 22:57
Mr.Matt replied:
Thanks, that was very helpful. Do you happen to know when the bus leaves from Taicang? Thanks.
Nov. 25,2009 21:30
Mr.Jameswong replied:
Hi, Matt. There is a bus from Taicang to Suzhou every 15 minutes from 6am to 6pm.
5.
Oct. 30,2009 01:21 Reply
Mr.Janet(SG) said:
Hi,
I would like to go for a day trip to Suzhou. Any recommendation which places of interest to go? how do I get to those places from the train station if I am taking train from SH to SZ?
Nov. 1,2009 04:34
Ms.Cindy replied:
You can take Bus 游3 at Suzhou Railway Station to Laofeng Qiao and walk to Hanshan Temple. Then take Bus 33 to Suzhou Amusement Land. After that, take the Bus 68 to Humble Administration Garden and Lion Forest. You can get around Guanqian Street which is a famous street in Suzhou. If you still have time, you can take 游5 to Tiger Hill. You can call off some places you are not interested. :)
Nov. 10,2009 09:01
Ms.Janet Chong(Singapore) replied:
Hi
its me again, any recommnded garden to go in dec?
Nov. 11,2009 01:06
Mr.Frankie replied:
You could go to any garden as you like. Please refer to these gardens' introduction at: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/jiangsu/suzhou/
6.
Nov. 9,2009 04:06 Reply
Ms.Blanche(Philippines) said:
hello!
we're going to Shanghai on last weekend of January. i've read it will be very cold by then. How cold will it be? is it advisable to go to Suzhou for a day tour on those dates? Thanks
Nov. 11,2009 01:04
Mr.Frankie replied:
Yes, the weather will be cold and wet, so it is suggested that you wear warm sweaters and overcoats, or maybe downjackets. Suzhou should be worthy of a one-day tour.
7.
Nov. 10,2009 21:45 Reply
Mr.Choo(Singapore) said:
Hi, read that weather in Suzhou area is very bad (cold, wet, thunderstorm) now and may be so for some time. Is it advisible at all to visit as a tourist now?
Nov. 11,2009 01:02
Mr.Frankie replied:
Yes, the weather is bad currently due to the cold wave which covers all of the China from last week. But, it will be finished soon. So, you could come to Suzhou later. However, the best season to visit Suzhou should be Spring and Summer.
8.
Nov. 2,2009 19:15 Reply
Ms.Michelle(USA) said:
Hello,
I have three days in the Shanghai area next week. I want to see Suzhou and Nanxun and Shanghai, of course. Is it possible to see Suzhou and Nanxun both in one day if I start early and only see the best sights? I will be coming on an overnight train from Beijing. Should I depart in Suzhou and then take the bus to Nanxun then bus to Shanghai, or should I come into Shanghai and take the bus to Nanxun then bus to Suzhou then bus/train back to Shanghai? Any suggestions for the 3-day itinerary?
Nov. 5,2009 01:30
Mr.Jamie replied:
Generally, you can not finish visiting Suzhou and Nanxun in one day, but if you want, you can get to Suzhou from Beijing (by train only)directly and get to Nanxun early in the morning and back early in the afternoon. Then you have only few time to see Suzhou gardens. Get around the city and find local food at Guanqian Jie. Heading for Shanghai next day morning. Suzhou South/North/Wuzhong bus stations all have buses to Nanxun, some one hour's journey.
9.
Oct. 18,2009 01:09 Reply
Mr.Moore(Australia) said:
can some one tell me what the Suzhou Gardens are like in December . Will I be missing a lot by not going in spring (ie flowers) or warmer times of the year
Oct. 19,2009 22:14
Ms.Emma replied:
Yes, you will miss flowers, trees, lively ponds and of course it is a bit cold in December. Suggest you go in spring or summer.
10.
Oct. 16,2009 10:32 Reply
Mr.James(Malaysia) said:
plan to take a day trip from Changzhou (ETA - 8am) to Suzhou(ETD 8pm) this coming Sunday (18th Oct 2009). What is the recommendation which train is best? (T? D? K?). Read above than, train ticket during weekend is urgently needed? do i need to purchase the ticket in advance? what about Suzhou to Changzhou (need to purchase in advance at Changzhou?). Prefer to go with free and easy... can i purchase the return ticket in the afternoon at Changzhou?
Best regards
James