Suzhou, China is one of the most beautiful ancient towns in the world—often called the “Venice of the East,” it’s so much more than that. As a Chinese girl, to me Suzhou has always held an air of elegance and mystique, with a gentle and feminine romantic charm that has lasted for millennia.
Suzhou, China was founded in 514 BC and has over 2,500 years of documented history, filled with classical Chinese gardens, luxurious silk production, and ancient water towns built around boating canals. In fact, Suzhou is much older than Venice, so I really think people should be calling Venice the “Suzhou of the West!”
When I think of Suzhou, I think of the sound of Chinese flutes floating over the steady sound of boats sailing down the old canals lined with red paper lanterns, the smell of jasmine tea in the air, and women walking in soft silk garments around busy streets and food stalls. It’s one of my favorite cities in China’s Jiangsu province and I can’t wait to share it with you!
What and Where is Suzhou, China?
Suzhou (苏州 in Chinese) is a historic Chinese city and an ancient cultural hub located in Jiangsu province. Though it’s located very close to the metropolitan powerhouse of Shanghai, Suzhou brings a touch of elegance and picturesque, quiet beauty to the region.
The UNESCO-listed classical gardens of Suzhou are known throughout the world for their sense of balance and peace. Additionally, Suzhou gets its nickname “Venice of the East” due to the lovely towns built along canals, with over 40% of the city being covered by water.
The entire city is full of idyllic waterways, stone bridges, and lush gardens, boasting some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Welcome to Suzhou, China.
How to Get to Suzhou, China
Thanks to China’s absolutely mind-blowing high-speed rail system, getting to Suzhou, China is super easy from almost anywhere in the country!
Most visitors will come to Suzhou from or on the way to Shanghai, or as part of a travel route through the powerhouse cities of the Yangtze River Delta region (think Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing). If you’re interested in these other cities, check out my one-week guide to the Yangtze River Delta!
The high-speed rail from Shanghai to Suzhou takes only about 30 minutes, which is honestly incredible. That’s less than most people’s commute time in the United States!
🚄 How to Buy Train Tickets in China?
Although it can be daunting for foreigners, traveling by high-speed rail is super convenient in China once you know how. You can easily buy a train ticket between any major cities through Alipay’s Trip.com mini-app or WeChat’s Hopegoo mini-app. If you don’t speak Chinese, I recommend Alipay’s Trip.com mini-app—the English support and interface are just easier for non-native speakers.
The benefit of buying through native programs is that you can buy a ticket on the spot, for a train even just 30 minutes later. However, if you don’t want to mess with Chinese apps, you can buy a train ticket through Klook as long as it’s a few in days in advance.
Make sure to take your passport with you because the officers will check at the train station!
How Long to Stay in Suzhou, China
Although there is no shortage of things to do in Suzhou, the historic center of Suzhou isn’t that large. Almost everything on the tourist path is centered in the same area. I recommend staying 2-3 days in Suzhou to see all the important parts like the traditional ancient water canals and the classical Chinese gardens.
If you want to see more sides of Suzhou, like trying out the incredible and affordable shopping (Suzhou is a garment powerhouse of China) or exploring the modern parts of the city, I would recommend staying another day or two!
Can I Visit Suzhou as a Day Trip From Shanghai?
The answer is technically yes…but I wouldn’t recommend it at all. Since Suzhou is very close to and accessible from Shanghai, you’ll find no shortage of tours advertising Suzhou day trips from Shanghai.
But there’s just too much to see and too many things to do in Suzhou to see in less than one full day. Plus, the town comes alive and looks incredibly beautiful softly illuminated at night, with the circular bridges forming glowing “moons” in the water. That’s why I recommend staying at least 2 days to take in Suzhou’s quiet beauty.
If you absolutely don’t have the time to visit Suzhou for more than a day, or you just want to get a taste of it from Shanghai, here are some day trip options:
Where to Stay in Suzhou, China
Location is everything in Suzhou, China and I recommend staying near the old town center, close to either Pingjiang Road or Shantang Road! Staying close to Pingjiang Road means easy access to the classical gardens—a perfect stay.
Luxury Hotels in Suzhou, China
- Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou: Peak luxury in Suzhou, with high-end service, elegant design, and resort-style amenities. Perfect for a relaxed getaway.
- Niccolo Suzhou: A contemporary luxury hotel overlooking Jinji Lake. It has beautiful interiors and a strong emphasis on great service.
Mid-Range Hotels in Suzhou, China
- Atour Hotel Shantang Street Shilu Suzhou: A stylish hotel near the popular Shantang Street that would serve as a good home base for exploring Suzhou gardens.
- Luxury Riverside House with Garden in Central Suzhou: A beautiful modern guesthouse in a private courtyard run by Kevin, who I can personally attest is an angel. Includes common space and free laundry! Within walking distance of Pingjiang Road.
Budget Hotels in Suzhou, China
- Jinjiang Inn Suzhou Railway Station Huqiu: A reliable Chinese budget chain with great transport access for if you’re more price-conscious.
- GreenTree Inn JiangSu SuZhou: A consistently well-rated, affordable hotel with great reviews.
Things to Do in Suzhou, China
From the classical gardens of Suzhou to wandering the streets along the canals while shopping and trying street food, there’s no shortage of things to do in Suzhou, China. It may be small, but it’s densely packed with things to do—most of which you can cover in a couple of hours each!
As a Chinese girl, these are some of my must-try favorite things to do in Suzhou.
🗺️ But First…How to Navigate in China
You might notice that Google Maps doesn’t work in China! While some people have reported reasonable success using Apple Maps, I recommend going full native and using Amap or Baidu Maps, both of which are Chinese apps. In recent years, some of the functionality of these apps has been limited if you can’t create an account (which requires a Chinese phone number), but you can still navigate from place to place very easily.
Public transit is extremely convenient and insanely affordable in Chinese cities, though you can always call a Didi taxi (on-demand rideshare like Uber) through Alipay or WeChat if you want door-to-door service. For more information on navigating around China, check out my article on everything you need to survive in China as a foreigner.
Pingjiang Road (平江路)
In my opinion, one of the best things to do in Suzhou is to walk down Pingjiang Road. For several blocks, you can meander on either side of a gorgeous canal lined with willow trees and old stone bridges, and the street is absolutely packed with tea shops, street food stalls selling tanghulu and silk fans, qipao stores, hanfu dress experiences, local restaurants with live music, and more.
Pingjiang Road is less crowded than the more famous Shantang Street (also on this list!) and I personally prefer it—it’s much less intense with gorgeous viewpoints every few steps. Most of the photos in this article were taken on Pingjiang Road, where I had to take a break every block to admire the traditional boats slowly sailing down the canals.
You can easily spend half a day on Pingjiang Road alone, stopping in every shop for local souvenirs and trying all the milk tea stores in sight! If you only have time to see one place in Suzhou, China, it has to be this magnificent street.
Chinese Classical Gardens of Suzhou
Did you know the ancient city of Suzhou, China has the most UNESCO-recognized gardens in the world? One of the best things to do in Suzhou is visit some of the city’s Chinese classical gardens. These are some of China’s finest landscaped works, with elegant fengshui-based designs that make the spaces feel balanced, peaceful, and harmonious with nature.
Many of the design principles of Chinese classical gardens are rooted in Taoist, Buddhist, and Confucian ideals. The simplistic and beautiful lines of these gardens have heavily influenced other Eastern gardens around the world, most notably Japan and Korea. Today, there are over 60 Chinese classical gardens in Suzhou, with two of the Four Legendary Classical Gardens of China being located in Suzhou!
There are too many gardens to visit in so little time, but here are some of my favorite picks. If you have limited time, I recommend picking just one or two gardens to focus on!
The Humble Administrator’s Garden (拙政园)
If you can only visit one of the classical gardens of Suzhou, China, it absolutely must be this one. The Humble Administrator’s Garden in Suzhou is the largest garden in the city and it is by no means humble in any way. When we stepped through the gates and into the expansive, grand landscapes of the Humble Administrator’s Garden, I was absolutely blown away.
Built in the 16th century, the Humble Administrator’s Garden in Suzhou is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site but also one of the Four Legendary Classic Gardens of China (the others are the Beijing Summer Palace, Chengde Summer Resort, and the Lingering Garden of Suzhou—also on this list!) The landscaping here is truly a work of art and you can spend well over 2 hours admiring the curved pathways, lovely pagodas, rivers and ponds, peaceful rock formations, and so much more.
Since the Humble Administrator’s Garden is so famous, it gets incredibly crowded. I recommend visiting first thing in the morning (the gates open at 7:30) and make sure to have your tickets booked in advance!
Master of the Nets Garden (网师园)
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site worth visiting is the Master of the Nets Garden, one of the prettiest classical gardens of Suzhou. Although this garden is only about 1/6th the size of the famous Humble Administrator’s Garden, it cleverly utilizes design to feel incredibly spacious.
The Master of the Nets Garden is a masterclass in Chinese classical garden design, using carefully placed pavilions, ponds, and borrowed scenery to make the illusion of openness and depth. I think from the design alone, this is one of the most impressive Suzhou gardens despite its smaller footprint! Get a ticket in advance here.
Lingering Garden (留园)
The Lingering Garden is another must-see among the classical gardens of Suzhou and a standout highlight of Suzhou, China. Remember when I said two of the Four Legendary Gardens of China are located in Suzhou? This is one of them!
Famous for its elegant corridors and poetic layout, the garden is designed to invite you to “linger” a bit longer and slow down. The views here are framed like living paintings. Even the “pictures” formed by the intricate windows are so carefully composed with elegantly placed trees, ponds, and stones.
If you’re looking to try all of the most impressive things to do in Suzhou, visiting the Lingering Garden should be on your list. Especially if you’re interested in traditional Chinese aesthetics! You can get a ticket in advance here.
Couple’s Retreat Garden (耦园)
The Couple’s Retreat Garden is one of the sweetest gardens in Suzhou and pretty underrated compared to some of the others on this list.
Like the name sounds, the entire garden is designed with the theme of “couple” in mind. Everything—pavilions, bridges, trees, even stones—comes in twos, emphasizing harmony, balance, and partnership. It’s super romantic and one of the most charming things to do in Suzhou, especially if you’re traveling with your partner!
🪷 Love the Chinese classical gardens of Suzhou? You’ll absolutely love Hangzhou—one of the most romantic cities in China bursting with greenery and poetic history.
Shantang Street (山塘街)
Shantang Street is another large and popular walkway along the canals of Suzhou, China. It’s packed to the brim with street food stalls and snacks, shopping options for souvenirs and clothing, tea stores and cafes, and beautiful bridge views over the water town.
While I do consider Shantang Street one of the must-try things to do in Suzhou, it’s much, much more crowded than Pingjiang Road and I didn’t enjoy exploring it as much when you’re elbow to elbow with Chinese tour groups the whole road down. I would still take at least one pass through Shantang Street to see the beautiful bridge viewpoints at sunset, where the perfect half-circles of the stone bridges are reflected in the water and make full moons. Two of the best viewpoints are Xinming Bridge (新民桥) and Tonggui Bridge (通贵桥)—famous for a reason!
The only other spot that I consider a must-visit on Shantang Street that you can’t get on Pingjiang Road is the famous plum blossom cake stand, also called meihua gao (梅花糕). This is a really unique traditional Chinese dessert street food with a crispy bottom, fluffy soft top, and filling made from bean paste, dried fruits, and glutinous rice balls. It’s a Jiangnan region specialty!
Buy Suzhou Silk and Traditional Qipao
Suzhou, China has been one of the foremost producers of quality silk in the world for over 2,500 years! Long before Suzhou became famous for its classical gardens, it was already known as one of the most important silk-producing cities in the country.
If you’re looking to buy quality silk or traditional garments like qipao, there isn’t a better place to do it than Suzhou. Buying an authentic qipao is one of the best things to do in Suzhou—a real quality garment that you wear as part of appreciating Chinese culture.
Qipao shops in Suzhou are a dime a dozen; you can’t throw a stone without hitting one. You can buy good quality qipao for as little as 100-160 RMB (~$20 USD), or go for the luxury producers that cost hundreds of dollars. No matter what, take a beautifully tailored piece of Suzhou, China home with you!
Eat Traditional Suzhou and Jiangsu Food
Because China is so vast with so many thousands of years of history, regional foods are incredibly diverse across the country. Suzhou is in the Jiangsu region, where the food is all about subtlety, balance, and elegance. The seasoning tends to be on the lighter side, prioritizing clean and natural flavors, without heavy oils or spicy peppers. Chinese people will say that Suzhou cuisine is slightly sweet, but we mean this in a delicate way, not a heavy cloying sugariness.
Here are some classic Suzhou dishes you need to try and some good places to try them in Suzhou:
- Mandarin “Squirrel Fish” (松鼠桂鱼): a whole fish that’s carved, fried until crisp, and topped with a sweet and sour sauce. The name comes from the way the fish is carved so it looks like a fluffy squirrel’s tail!
- Crab Roe Tofu/Noodles: Hairy crabs are a Jiangsu specialty, especially if you come in the fall. The rich crab roe is silky, luxurious, and decadent! I recommend having this at the Gusu Boat Banquet (姑苏船宴) on Shantang Street—the view is also incredible.
- Suzhou Noodle Soups: Suzhou is absolutely famous for noodle soup. The broths are crystal-clear and incredibly complex while not being heavy at all! Tongdexing (同得兴) on Shiquan Street (十全街) is the best by far, but Dingtaixian (鼎泰鲜) is a good option if you’re looking for a restaurant while you’re already walking on Pingjiang Street.
- Biluochun Shrimp (碧螺春虾仁): Bouncy, crystalline shrimps cooked with the famous local green tea, which gives it that Suzhou trademark fresh and floral aroma.
- Suzhou Red Braised Pork (红烧肉): A light and silky way of preparing unbelievably soft braised pork that combines melt-in-your-mouth fat and lean meat. One of my favorite dishes ever!
- Jiangnan Suzhou-Style Hotpot: China loves hotpot, but Suzhou-style hotpot tends to focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients like freshwater fish slices, tofu skin, seasonal vegetables, and thinly sliced meats. I recommend going to Wanyuan Hotpot (晚园) on Guanqian Street!
- Anything Osmanthus: Suzhou loves osmanthus, from osmanthus desserts like rice balls and syrups, to osmanthus wine pork belly. The region’s osmanthus is famous for its aromatic sweetness and delicate flavor, especially in the fall.
Visit Suzhou Water Towns
While the central canals in Suzhou are beautiful in their own right, another great way to explore Suzhou more in depth is by visiting the other historic water towns nearby. Jiangsu Province is known for its arched stone bridges and white-washed houses that are not just popular in Suzhou but the less crowded neighboring towns as well. Here are two of the best water towns to visit on half-day or day trips from Suzhou:
- Zhouzhuang Water Town (周庄): One of the oldest and best-preserved ancient water towns in all of China—not an easy feat! Its history stretches back over 900 years with remarkably well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. The elegant Twin Bridges here are one of the most photographed landmarks in the region.
- Tongli Water Town (同里): A slightly smaller, calmer and equally gorgeous water town just outside central Suzhou, China. It’s less commercial than Zhouzhuang and has a laid-back pace. The most famous sight in Tongli is the Retreat and Reflection Garden (Tuisi Garden), which is intimately designed and very magical.
🛶 Can’t get enough of water towns? You’ll want to visit this magnificent water town just outside of Shanghai—it’s the best day trip from the city!
Conclusion
I hope my love and passion for Suzhou, China, and the Jiangsu region came through in this article! Suzhou is truly one of the most elegant places in China and I have been in love with it for many years—like all the famous poets and adventurers who saw Suzhou in the centuries before me.
If you enjoyed this guide and seeing all the amazing things to do in Suzhou, don’t forget to explore the neighboring cities and regions in China! This country is so vast and diverse. You could spend your whole life traveling China alone and not see it all. A good way to get started from Suzhou is by visiting Hangzhou—one of the most romantic and lush cities in the region—and the metropolitan powerhouse of Shanghai.
But for now, enjoy the tranquility of the lovely canals, slurp up your delicious noodle soup, and walk down the narrow roads of the ancient water towns in your new qipao. Welcome to Suzhou, China!
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