What is Suzhou famous for?
Besides housing historical sites like many other cities in China, Suzhou is best known for its classical gardens, old waterways, and water towns, as well as fine handicrafts such as silk fabrics.
For first-time visitors, the gardens are a must-see, which feature exquisite layout of traditional pavilions, rockeries, and ponds. Among its over 60 gardens, many have been listed as World Heritage sites, and some of the best well-knowns are Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lingering Garden, Lion Grove Garden, Master of Nets Garden, and Blue Wave Pavilion. Usually, two or three gardens are sufficient for your Suzhou tours.
In addition, a trip to an ancient water town is well worth experiencing, from which you can enjoy charming waterscape, antique residences, old bridges, and traditional folk customs. Some of the most popular water towns include Tongli, Zhouzhuang and Wuzhen, which are all about 1 to 1.5 hours’ drive from Suzhou City, suitable for a half-day or one-day trip. Check the table below for more details about the features of each water town:
Water Town
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Main Features
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Tongli
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Nearest, with classical gardens including the UNESCO heritage site Retreat and Reflection Garden.
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Zhouzhuang
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China’s no.1 water town, the earliest developed and most popular one.
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Wuzhen
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The liveliest and most developed, featuring black-awning boat experience and traditional opera performances.
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Xitang
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Filming location of ‘Mission: Impossible’, famous for amazing night views and vibrant nightlife.
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Nanxun
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Most tranquil, and the only one with both Chinese ancient buildings and Western style architecture.
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Luzhi
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The smallest and less touristy, with a lot of old bridges as well as the thousand-year-old Baosheng Temple.
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Master of Nets Garden
Pingjiang Road
How many days in Suzhou is enough?
Two days is enough for a Suzhou tour, as the city isn’t very big. Generally, 1 to 3 days is ideal, with one or two days dedicated to the city’s traditional gardens and old town, and another day exploring a surrounding water town. If you have 4-5 days or more, consider extending your tour to nearby cities like Shanghai or Hangzhou.
Is Suzhou a day trip from Shanghai?
Yes. Suzhou is one of the most popular day trip destinations from Shanghai. Transportation between the two cities is very convenient, which is only 30 minutes away by high-speed train or 1.5 hours by car, making a one-day tour perfectly feasible. If you want, our travel consultants can provide you with tight Suzhou tour packages, including pick-up and drop-off from your Shanghai hotel and visits to Suzhou highlights such as Humble Administrator’s Garden, Pingjiang Road, Tongli Water Town, or any other scenic spots you prefer. All our itinerary can be customized according to your needs.
Is Suzhou or Hangzhou better? Which should I spend more time?
If you are looking forward to appreciating classical gardens and ancient water towns, and prefer a leisurely and tranquil atmosphere, Suzhou is the best choice. You can spend a day or two experiencing the essence of this small city. Hangzhou, on the other hand, offers more stunning natural landscapes, such as the vast West Lake and expansive tea plantations, as well as a more vibrant modern city vibe, which generally takes 2-3 days to explore. Both cities have their own charm and it depends on your own preference. If you have enough time, consider visiting both of them as they are easily accessible by high-speed train within 1.5 hours.
What is the best season to visit Suzhou?
The best seasons for a Suzhou trip are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), with comfortable weather, less rainfall, and temperatures ranging from 15-20 °C (59-68 °F). Light jackets and T-shirts are enough for these months. Winter from December to February generally has temperatures between 2-10 °C (36-50 °F), with little snowfall, not very cold compared to most northern cities. If possible, avoid visiting during the plum rain season from middle June to early July, as it brings high temperatures and rainy weather.
What is the famous food in Suzhou?
Suzhou’s classic dishes include Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish with sweet and sour sauce, Yangcheng Lake Hairy Crab, and Sweet and Sour Ribs. Popular snacks are Pan-fried Buns, Crab Roe Steamed Buns, and Osmanthus-scented Lotus Root stuffed with glutinous rice. Known for light and subtly sweet flavors, Suzhou cuisine can be best sampled at the bustling Pingjiang Road, Guanqian Street, and Shantang Street.
