Suzhou

Travel Guide

Suzhou
Suzhou Museum featuring interior views
Suzhou
Suzhou featuring modern architecture and interior views
Suzhou Museum which includes a park

Dotted with gardens, crisscrossed by canals and studded with pagoda-style temples, this ancient Chinese city is a relaxing place to discover by bicycle, boat or on foot. 

The ancient city of Suzhou is often referred to as the “Venice of the Orient” because of the canals and lakes that weave between its city streets. Suzhou is just over 100 kilometres (63 miles) from Shanghai but the culture and customs of the former Wu capital differ greatly from China’s most populatedcity. Suzhou dates back to the 6th century B.C. and traditional ways of life still resonate in the streets of this rapidly modernising city. Spend a few days exploring Suzhou’s gardens, courtyards and buildings which provide evocative glimpses back through the city’s 2,500-year history.

The star attractions of Suzhou are its splendid gardens, of which more than 60 can be found scattered throughout the city. Take a boat ride through the canals of the Humble Administrator’s Garden, the city’s largest garden. Marvel at the intricately carved tree roots and extensive bonsai collection. Explore the design of the Lingering Garden, with lake and mountain scenes. Lose yourself amid the twists and turns of the Lion Forest Garden and on hot days cool off under the forest canopy of the Surging Wave (Canglang) Pavilion. These gardens are among Suzhou’s Classical Gardens, which are included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Crisscrossed with charming canal streets and bridges, compact Suzhou is the perfect walking or cycling city. Stroll across 1,000-year-old paving stones on scenic Ping Jiang Road, pausing to admire ancient shophouses and Western-style coffee shops. Shop for souvenirs along Shan Tang Street then explore the quite neighbourhoods beyond. The city is also studded with pagoda-style temples, such as the Cold Mountain Temple, Huqiu Tower and the joss smoke-shrouded Temple of Mystery.

Getting around Suzhou is a breeze thanks to a network of pedicabs and easy-to-follow walking paths. Take a ride along the canals aboard a historic boat to see the city from a different angle. Although Suzhou doesn’t have its own airport, nearby Shanghai and Wuxi are less than an hour away by shuttle bus or high speed train.

Where to stay in Suzhou

Suzhou Museum which includes a park

Suzhou Old Town

Noted for its gardens and historical 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
Jinji Lake showing a bridge and a river or creek

Suzhou Industrial Park

If you're spending time in Suzhou Industrial Park, check out sights like Yuanrong Times Square or Suzhou Culture and Arts Center and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Zhongnan Jie Station or Dongshahu Station.

Suzhou Industrial Park
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Gusu District

4/5(2 area reviews)

You might take some time to check out the colourful gardens in Gusu District. Spend some time visiting top spots like Shantang Street, and catch the metro at Shantang Jie Station or Shi Lu Station to see more of the area.

Gusu District
Jinji Lake showing outdoor art and a garden

Wuzhong

5/5(1 area review)

Wuzhong is a destination travellers 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
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Wujiang

Get to know Wujiang and its many features like its gardens and parks. You might want to explore sights like Tongli Ancient Town and Lake Tai, and you can jump on the metro at Wujiang Renmin Guangchang Station or Wujiang Coach Station to get around the city.

Wujiang
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Zhouzhuang

While visiting Zhouzhuang, you might make a stop by sights like Zhouzhuang Ancient Town and Zhouzhuang Fugui Park.

Zhouzhuang
Pan Pacific Suzhou
Pan Pacific Suzhou
4.5 out of 5
259 Xin Shi Road, GuSou District, Suzhou, Jiangsu
The price is S$101 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
S$101
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & 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 21 Jun, 2025

Pan Pacific Suzhou
Suzhou Marriott Hotel
Suzhou Marriott Hotel
5 out of 5
1296 Ganjiang Road West, Gu Su District, Suzhou, Jiangsu
The price is S$106 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
S$106
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & 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! (199 reviews)
"Beautiful rooms, helpful support from staff, excellent breakfast."

Reviewed on 29 Jun, 2025

Suzhou Marriott Hotel
Zhangjiagang Marriott Hotel
Zhangjiagang Marriott Hotel
4.5 out of 5
No 686 Renmin East Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu
The price is S$124 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
S$124
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & 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 30 May, 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 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 11 May, 2024

Somerset Baitang 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 (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 12 May, 2025

Somerset Emerald City 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 15 Apr, 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

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
2
5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
2
4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
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3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
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1 - Terrible
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