Suzhou

Travel Guide

Humble Administrator\'s Garden showing a bridge and a pond
Suzhou Museum featuring interior views
Jinji Lake showing a garden and outdoor art
Suzhou which includes modern architecture and interior views
Suzhou Museum showing a park

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
Humble Administrator\'s Garden showing 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
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
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
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
Pan Pacific Suzhou
Pan Pacific Suzhou
4.5 out of 5
259 Xin Shi Road, GuSou District, Suzhou, Jiangsu
$67 nightly
The price is $71 total per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
$71 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Suzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 4 restaurants. Popular attractions Panmen Scenic Area and Pan Gate are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (410 reviews)
"Highly recommended"

Reviewed on Jun 21, 2025

Pan Pacific Suzhou
Suzhou Marriott Hotel
Suzhou Marriott Hotel
5 out of 5
1296 Ganjiang Road West, Gu Su District, Suzhou, Jiangsu
$76 nightly
The price is $81 total per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
$81 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Suzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (201 reviews)
"Beautiful rooms, helpful support from staff, excellent breakfast."

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025

Suzhou Marriott Hotel
Zhangjiagang Marriott Hotel
Zhangjiagang Marriott Hotel
4.5 out of 5
No 686 Renmin East Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu
$92 nightly
The price is $97 total per night from Jul 23 to Jul 24
$97 total
Jul 23 - Jul 24
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Suzhou. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Popular attractions Liangfeng Ecological Park and Zhangjiagang ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (55 reviews)
"Luxurious stay for the business trip in Zhangjiagang. The hotel is simply flawless."

Reviewed on May 30, 2025

Zhangjiagang Marriott 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.
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 (surcharge). Popular attractions Suzhou Amusement Park and Suzhou ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (163 reviews)
Great apartment
"Great apartment locate within shopping and eaties"

Reviewed on May 12, 2025

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 (surcharge), and a fitness center. Popular attractions Suzhou Ferris Wheel ...
"Very good service. Clean room, good daily room servicing. Courteous staff l"

Reviewed on May 11, 2024

Somerset Baitang Suzhou
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 (surcharge), and a fitness center. Popular attractions In City Shopping ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (165 reviews)
"The property is a bit hard to get to if you don’t know the area. Every time you want in a guard has to open the gate since the hotel is located in a residential area. Two complaints is that the shower head is very unstable and would move often while showering thus spraying water all over the floor. ..."

Reviewed on Apr 15, 2025

Citadines Xinghai 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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Suzhou

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
24
5 - Excellent 49%
4 - Good
22
4 - Good 45%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 6%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

NEBruno

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

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

Like the watertown Zhoujan.

4/5 - Good

MGF

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

good place and people niceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

4/5 - Good

HY

Beautiful place, great shopping

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