Suzhou

Travel Guide
Suzhou Museum featuring interior views
Boasting beautiful gardens and lovely canals, this historic city has long been known as one of the country’s cultural capitals. 

Nicknamed "Venice of the East," Suzhou is a sophisticated city that has inspired generations of writers, artists and scholars. Shop here to purchase some of the embroidery and silk products the area is known for.

Over the past centuries, Suzhou's wealthy residents built the many classical gardens that you can still explore today. Most of Suzhou's gardens were built between the 16th and 18th centuries nine of them are now designated as UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Sites. Notice that they were designed to be enjoyed by private families and their guests and are typically smaller and more intimate than the grand imperial gardens you see in other parts of the country.

Don’t miss the Humble Administrator's Garden, considered to be among the finest of the city’s many gardens. A characteristic example of Ming-period landscaping, the garden features many imaginative water elements.

Check out one of the enchanting evening performances that regularly take place at the Master of the Nets Garden. In addition to enjoying traditional dance, Chinese opera or instrumental music, admire the charming light display that illuminates the garden’s ponds and pavilions.

Stroll around the city’s Jinji Lake, which offers a crowd-pleasing mix of urban and natural scenery. You’ll find dozens of restaurants and shops, as well as lakefront paths ideal for cycling, jogging and walking.

Be sure to see the Pan Gate, the city’s only remaining original gate, which dates back to the 15th century. From the top of the gate, look for Wumen Bridge and the 11th-century Ruiguang Pagoda.

Plan to see the impressive Suzhou Museum, a fascinating work of contemporary architecture modeled after the city’s courtyards and gardens. Inside the museum, examine a fine display of paintings, jade, textiles and other cultural exhibits.

Suzhou is located less than 40 minutes away from Shanghai by high-speed train. Visit the city as a daytrip from Shanghai and stay until the evening to see the beguiling paper lanterns that illuminate the city’s canals.

Where to stay in Suzhou

Suzhou Museum showing a park

Suzhou Old Town

Noted for its gardens and historic sites, there's plenty to explore in Suzhou Old Town. Top attractions like Guanqian Street and Metro Shopping Mall are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Lindun Lu Station or Leqiao Station to see more of the city.

Suzhou Old Town
Suzhou which includes a bridge and a pond

Gusu District

4.5/5(25 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like Shantang Street while getting to know Gusu District, and be sure to check out the colorful gardens. You can hop aboard the metro at Shantang Jie Station or Shi Lu Station to see more of the area.

Gusu District
Jinji Lake featuring a bridge and a river or creek

Suzhou Industrial Park

While you're in Suzhou Industrial Park, take in top sights like Yuanrong Times Square or Suzhou Culture and Arts Center, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Zhongnan Jie Station or Dongshahu Station.

Suzhou Industrial Park
The Nymph of the Lotus pond in Suzhou, China.

Zhouzhuang

While visiting Zhouzhuang, you might make a stop by sights like Zhouzhuang Ancient Town and Shen Wansan's Tomb.

Zhouzhuang
Jinji Lake showing outdoor art and a park

Wuzhong

4.5/5(15 area reviews)

Wuzhong is a destination travelers like for its lake views, and you might hop aboard the metro at Yingchunlu Station or Baodai Lu Station to explore sights like Dushu Lake.

Wuzhong
An early spring view across Tongli Lake. There's an ancient temple from which you can hear the bell ring. A tranquil place.

Wujiang

3.5/5(3 area reviews)

The gardens and parks are just a few things visitors like about Wujiang. Retreat & Reflection Garden and Lake Tai are worthwhile spots to check out, and you can hop on the metro at Wujiang Renmin Guangchang Station or Wujiang Coach Station to get around the larger area.

Wujiang
Suzhou Marriott Hotel
Suzhou Marriott Hotel
5 out of 5
1296 Ganjiang Road West, Gu Su District, Suzhou, Jiangsu
The price is ¥11,517 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
¥11,517
per night
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Suzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 4 restaurants. Popular attractions Suzhou Canal Park and West Garden Temple are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (159 reviews)
"Elevator is slow, I waited for 4 times to get down from floor 31. Suggest to choose higher floor so you would be easier to get in"

Reviewed on Nov 29, 2023

Suzhou Marriott Hotel
Pan Pacific Suzhou
Pan Pacific Suzhou
4.5 out of 5
259 Xin Shi Road, GuSou District, Suzhou, Jiangsu
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥12,088 per night from Apr 6 to Apr 7
¥12,088
per night
Apr 6 - Apr 7
Stay at this golf hotel in Suzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 3 restaurants. Popular attractions Panmen Scenic Area and Pan Gate are located nearby. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (321 reviews)
"The breakfast is super!"

Reviewed on Mar 11, 2024

Pan Pacific Suzhou
Renaissance Suzhou Hotel
Renaissance Suzhou Hotel
4.5 out of 5
229 West Suzhou Ave, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, Jiangsu
The price is ¥11,832 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
¥11,832
per night
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Suzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Popular attractions In City Shopping Mall and Gate to the East ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (157 reviews)
"Nicely located next to Suzhou Center Mall. Nice selection of restaurants around and comfortable beds!"

Reviewed on Mar 4, 2024

Renaissance Suzhou Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Citadines Xinghai Suzhou
Citadines Xinghai Suzhou
4 out of 5
58 Xinghai Street , Jiacheng Garden, Building 27, Industrial Park, Suzhou, Jiangsu
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Suzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Gate to the East and In City ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (155 reviews)
"Excellent experience, with it clean room and convienant location. i will surely book again when i travel to suzhou again. The only bad comment you can give is only the lack of beautiful view. 10/10"

Reviewed on Jan 30, 2024

Citadines Xinghai Suzhou
Somerset Emerald City Suzhou
Somerset Emerald City Suzhou
4.5 out of 5
No 436 Changjiang Road Suzhou New Distri, Suzhou, Jiangsu
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Suzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Popular attractions Suzhou Amusement Park and Suzhou Water Park ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (144 reviews)
"Clean well-equiped hotel located conveniently in a shopping complex"

Reviewed on Feb 12, 2024

Somerset Emerald City Suzhou
Somerset Baitang Suzhou
Somerset Baitang Suzhou
4 out of 5
No 266 Suzhou East Avenue, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, Jiangsu
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Suzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a children's pool. Popular attractions Yuanrong Times Square and Ferris ...
9/10 Wonderful! (22 reviews)
"Breakfast was just OK and not the best value, but excellent apart from that."

Reviewed on Oct 20, 2019

Somerset Baitang Suzhou
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Things to do

Reviews of Suzhou

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
24
" "5 - Excellent 48.97959183673469%
4 - Good
22
" "4 - Good 44.89795918367347%
3 - Okay
3
" "3 - Okay 6.122448979591836%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

NEBruno
Dec 18, 2019

I look forward to making this trip an annual event. I really enjoyed the area and the W made it an even better trip.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Nov 25, 2019

Suzhou is a lovely ancient city with lots of top sights. However, the traffic could be overwhelming. One has to be careful when walking , as motorcycles can drive on pedestrian pathway and do not seem stop for stop light or cross walk.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Nov 21, 2019

Like the watertown Zhoujan.

4/5 - Good

MGF
Sep 13, 2019

Scholar gardens of Suzhou are a unique cultural treasure on a global scale. In some of the most popular, the crowds are excessive. Gardens desperately need money to be poured into maintenance and into horticulture as opposed to buildings and walls.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jul 31, 2019

good place and people niceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

4/5 - Good

HY
Jul 10, 2019

Beautiful place, great shopping

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