Suzhou
Suzhou's gardens are small, perfect and best seen one or two at a time. Stay a night in the old town rather than day-tripping, and see them at opening before the groups.
- Region
- Jiangsu, East
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Airports
- Via Shanghai (SHA · PVG)
- Suggested stay
- 2 days
Overview
Suzhou's classical gardens are UNESCO-listed and deservedly so, but visiting five in a day is a mistake. Pick two, arrive when they open, and give each an hour. The rest of the time, walk the canals of Pingjiang Road and the quieter lanes west of it.
The old town is a rectangle of canals and low buildings; the new town, with the tall Gate to the East, is a metro ride away. Stay old.
Suzhou is also the silk city. The museum is good and the shops on the tourist streets are not.
Getting there
No airport of its own; Shanghai Hongqiao is 25 minutes away by high-speed train to Suzhou station on the north edge of the old town, or Suzhou North for some services. Hangzhou is about 1.5 hours.
Rail tip. Your passport is your ticket. Book on 12306 or Trip.com, then go straight to the gate. See Getting around.
Where to stay
Pingjiang Road
平江路Canalside old town. Guesthouses in restored houses.
The classic base. Busy on the main lane, quiet a street away, and several gardens within walking distance.
Shantang Street
山塘街Northwest old town, more local, near Tiger Hill.
Another canal street with fewer tourists on its far end. Good for a second night.
Things to do
Humble Administrator's Garden
拙政园The largest and most famous garden. Book ahead and arrive at opening.
Master of the Nets Garden
网师园Small, exquisite, and open at night in summer with music.
Pingjiang Road
平江路A canal lane of teahouses and small shops. Turn off it whenever you can.
Suzhou Museum
苏州博物馆I. M. Pei's building, a garden in itself. Free with a booking.
Tongli water town
同里The most complete of the nearby water towns, on metro line 4.
Eat
Suzhou food is sweet and delicate: squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, noodles in clear broth at Tongdexing, sweet osmanthus everything in autumn. The snack streets are fine; the old noodle houses that open at dawn are better.
From travellers in Suzhou
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