“One garden, a dream of Jiangnan; one dream, entering Jiangnan.”
The graceful and exquisite gardens of Suzhou have always been the most refined stroke of the city. Suzhou is the most exquisite city in China, and its gardens are the most direct embodiment of this refinement.
Historically, there were 802 gardens in Suzhou throughout the dynasties, and the praise of “half the city filled with gardens and pavilions” is by no means an exaggeration. Rather than saying that Suzhou provides a home for its gardens, it is more accurate to say that the gardens scattered throughout the city have created a gentle and charming Suzhou, immersed in the soft Suzhou dialect.
Discovering the Interplay of Local Life and Prosperity in Gentle Suzhou
Suzhou Gardens
As one of the four famous gardens in China, Suzhou gardens are undoubtedly one of the most fascinating attractions. The Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lion Grove Garden, and Master of the Nets Garden are all must-visit sites. The architecture, landscapes, and horticulture here all reflect the unique charm of Jiangnan water towns. Even if you can only stay here for a day, you must visit at least once.
📍 No. 25, Jinmen Road, Gusu District, Suzhou
🕐 08:00-17:30
💰 Package ticket: 40 yuan/person
🚇 Take Metro Line 2 to Guanqian Street Station and walk about 15 minutes to reach the destination.
Shantang Ancient Town
Shantang Ancient Street is one of the most historic streets in Suzhou. The shops, snacks, and handicrafts here are all full of ancient charm. Whether for shopping or tasting delicacies, it is a great choice.
📍 Northwest of the ancient city, Gusu District, Suzhou
🕐 08:30-21:00
💰 Package ticket: 45 yuan/person
🚇 Take bus 406, 317, 529, 44, 64, Tour 1, or 304 to Shantang Street Station, and walk north along Guangji Road for about 500 meters to reach the ticket office.
Zhouzhuang Ancient Town
Zhouzhuang Ancient Town is a well-preserved water town with small bridges, flowing water, ancient buildings, and unique handicrafts that make people linger. Even just wandering around, you can feel the strong cultural atmosphere.
📍 No. 43, Quanfu Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Kunshan City, Suzhou
🕐 08:00-17:00
💰 Day tour: 100 yuan, night tour: 80 yuan
🚇 Take public bus Kunshan 133 at Kunshan South Station and get off after 8 stops at Zhouzhuang Bus Station.
Jinji Lake Scenic Area
Jinji Lake Scenic Area is a comprehensive scenic spot integrating leisure, entertainment, and sightseeing. There are beautiful lakes, parks, pedestrian streets, etc., representing the new look of Suzhou city. Here, you can appreciate the modern urban scenery and experience the unique charm of water towns.
📍 Jinji Lake Business District, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province
🕐 Open all day
💰 Free
🚇 Take Suzhou Metro Line 1 to Jinji Lake Station.
Tiger Hill
Tiger Hill is a picturesque and charming landmark of Suzhou. There are many historical sites here, such as the Yunyan Temple Pagoda, Sword Testing Stone, and Thousand People Rock, making it a great place to experience Suzhou’s history and culture. Even if climbing the hill is tiring, you must go and see it.
📍 No. 8, inside the Tiger Hill Gate, Gusu District, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province
🕐 7:30-18:00
💰 70 yuan/person
🚇 Tour 1 and 2 routes, and bus 8 and 49 can reach the destination.
Hanshan Temple
Hanshan Temple is a temple with a long history and cultural heritage. The ancient buildings, Buddha statues, and scriptures here are all worth seeing. Moreover, the bell tower here is a major feature of Suzhou, and tourists can personally ring the bell to experience the charm of traditional culture.
📍 Gusu District, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province
🕐 08:00-16:30
💰 20 yuan/person
🚇 Tour 3, Tour 4, and other routes can directly reach Hanshan Temple. Take Metro Line 2 to Shihu East Road Station, and walk about 10 minutes after exiting the station.
Luzhi Ancient Town
Luzhi Ancient Town is a well-preserved water town with ancient buildings and a unique cultural atmosphere that attracts numerous tourists. The small bridges, flowing water, and specialty snacks in Luzhi Ancient Town make people linger.
📍 No. 21, Xiaoshi Road, Luzhi Town, Wuzhong District, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province
🕐 08:00-17:30
💰 78 yuan/person
🚇 Take Metro Line 2 or Line 4.
Suzhou Museum
Suzhou Museum is a local museum showcasing the history and culture of Suzhou. It displays the achievements of Suzhou in history, culture, art, science, and technology, making it an excellent place to learn about the city’s historical and cultural heritage. Even if you are not particularly interested, you can still visit to experience the cultural atmosphere of the city.
📍 No. 204, Dongbei Street, Gusu District, Suzhou
🕐 Open from 9:00 to 21:00, Tuesday to Sunday
🎫 Make a reservation 5-7 days in advance through the mini-program “Suzhou Museum”
🚇 Take Metro Line 2
Lion Grove Garden
Lion Grove Garden is one of the four famous gardens in Suzhou, renowned for its unique rockeries and garden landscapes. The pavilions, bridges, flowing water, and bonsai rockeries here make visitors linger. Even if you don’t enjoy climbing, you can still appreciate the beauty of the gardens.
📍 No. 23, Yuanlin Road, Gusu District, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province
🕐 07:30-17:00
🎫 40 yuan/person
🚇 Take Metro Line 4 to North Pagoda Station
Suzhou Amusement Land
Suzhou Amusement Land is a vibrant and creative theme park with numerous rides and entertainment options, such as roller coasters and Ferris wheels, attracting many tourists. In addition, the park also hosts various cultural activities and performances, such as art exhibitions and concerts, making it a great place to experience Suzhou’s culture. Whether you enjoy thrills or appreciate culture, Suzhou Amusement Land is an excellent choice.
📍 No. 99, Xiangshan Road, High-tech Zone, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province
🕐 09:15-17:15
🎫 90 yuan/person
🚇 Take bus 12, 146, 155, 178, 188, 256, 812, 816, 822, BRT1, BRT2, etc., and get off at Suzhou Amusement Land Station; take Metro Line 2
Delicious Food is Well-known
Toutangmian (Head Soup Noodles)
Toutangmian is a famous Suzhou dish with great color, aroma, and taste, belonging to the Suzhou cuisine of the Su culinary school. It was featured in “A Bite of China 2.” The so-called “head soup” refers to the first batch of noodles cooked with freshly changed water when the noodle shop opens for the day.
Sugar Porridge
Osmanthus sugar porridge is a traditional specialty of the Jiangnan region. The porridge is thick but not sticky, with red dates and white porridge, an appealing color, and the fragrance of osmanthus, making it sweet and delicious. It suits the tastes of local residents, especially the elderly.
Pan-fried Buns
The bottom of the pan-fried buns is fried until golden, and the top is sprinkled with sesame seeds and scallions. It smells fragrant, and when you take a bite, your mouth is filled with soup.
Stir-fried Eel Slices
A traditional specialty of the Jiangnan region, belonging to the Su Bang cuisine. The main ingredient is fresh eel, accompanied by winter bamboo shoots, ham, scallions, cilantro, ginger, garlic, and other ingredients.
The dish is characterized by its delicious eel meat, rich aroma, and appetite-stimulating properties. It has a dark red color and is oily but not greasy.
Squirrel Mandarin Fish
Also known as Squirrel Perch, it is a representative dish of the Su Bang cuisine, boasting both color and flavor. According to legend, when Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty visited Suzhou incognito, he dined at the Songhe Tower restaurant.
The chef deboned a carp, carved patterns on the fish meat, marinated it with seasonings, coated it with egg yolk batter, and fried it until tender. The dish was then doused with hot sweet and sour sauce, resembling a squirrel in shape.
It was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a sour and sweet taste. Emperor Qianlong was very satisfied after eating it, and the dish later became famous in Suzhou.
