Gardens and Ancient Towns in Suzhou
Gardens and Ancient Towns in Suzhou
Gardens and Ancient Towns in Suzhou
Gardens and Ancient Towns in Suzhou
Gardens and Ancient Towns in Suzhou
Jiangsu
Suzhou

2025Gardens and Ancient Towns in Suzhou|trip.com

Gardens and Ancient Towns in Suzhou
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Introduction Gardens and Ancient Towns in Suzhou

Introduction
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Suzhou, a famous historical and cultural city, is famous for its exquisite gardens and quaint ancient towns, attracting many people to explore the unique charm of the Jiangnan water town. As an outstanding representative of Chinese classical gardens, Suzhou gardens are famous for their exquisite layout, delicate craftsmanship and rich cultural connotations. Famous gardens such as the Humble Administrator's Garden, the Lingering Garden, and the Master of the Nets Garden are all ingenious works of art that make people linger. Ancient towns such as Zhouzhuang, Tongli, and Luzhi have preserved a large number of ancient buildings and traditional handicrafts, showing the customs and customs of the Jiangnan water town. Here, tourists can fully appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship and cultural charm of Chinese classical gardens, and feel the unique style and historical and cultural heritage of the Jiangnan water town. Whether strolling among the pavilions and towers in the gardens or wandering on the bluestone slabs of the ancient town, people can feel the tranquility and relaxation of the soul.

Trip Moments Gardens and Ancient Towns in Suzhou

Gardens and Ancient Towns in Suzhou Trip Moments
Every step, every scene is picturesque. Discover a poetic dream at the Lingering Garden.

Every step, every scene is picturesque. Discover a poetic dream at the Lingering Garden.

🌈Basic Information - Address: No. 338 Liuyuan Road, Changmenwai, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province. - Opening hours: Peak season (April–October) 7:30am–5:30pm; off-season (November–March) 7:30am–5:00pm. Ticket sales and entry stop 30 mins before closing. - Ticket price: Peak season CNY 55/person, off-season CNY 45/person. Discounts or free admission are available for certain groups. 🚗Transportation - Bus: Take Tourist Bus No. 1, 3, 5, or City Bus No. 6 or 7. - Subway: Take Subway Line 2 and get off at Shilu Station (Exit 1). - Car: Follow the navigation. Parking is available in the garden. 🏔️Must-See Attractions - Crown Cloud Peak: The iconic landmark of the Lingering Garden and a rare treasure of Taihu stone. Its unique shape, along with the Crown Cloud Tower and Pavilion, makes it a perfect photo spot.  - Five Peaks Fairy Hall: One of the main buildings in the garden, once used as a reception hall. The interior is classically elegant, and the five artificial mountains in front of the hall symbolize the Five Sacred Mountains, making it a place of high artistic value.  - Hanbi Mountain Villa: Built by the water, it is one of the best scenic spots in the garden. Here, you can admire the pond, artificial mountains, and flowers and trees. The scenery is especially charming in summer when the lotus flowers are in full bloom.  - Mingse Tower: The tallest building in the garden, offering a panoramic view. The artificial mountain and pool in front of the tower add to its exquisite layout.  - Winding Stream Tower: Famous for its winding waterways and corridors, it offers a glimpse into the subtle beauty of Jiangnan gardens.  🌇Suggested Routes - Classic Route (suitable for first-time visitors): Main Gate > Five Peaks Fairy Hall > Crown Cloud Peak > Hanbi Mountain Villa > Mingse Tower > Winding Stream Tower > Exit. - In-depth Route (suitable for garden enthusiasts): Main Gate > Five Peaks Fairy Hall > Crown Cloud Peak > Hanbi Mountain Villa > Mingse Tower > Winding Stream Tower > Western Forest Area > Eastern Courtyard Area > Exit. 🌵Tips - Arrive early. Entering the garden at 7:30am allows you to enjoy the scenery and take photos with fewer crowds. - Xiyuan Temple is near the Lingering Garden. You can visit the temple and enjoy vegetarian noodles after your garden tour. - Free guided tours are available. Search for "Lingering Garden" on the official WeChat account "Ting You Tian Xia".
Olivia@789 Williams
Olivia@789 Williams
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A great place to take the kids in Suzhou, with a free outdoor playground and a super long slide.

A great place to take the kids in Suzhou, with a free outdoor playground and a super long slide.

🌈 Take the kids to the Olympic Sports Center Stadium on the weekend. It's a paradise for kids 🎡, with cycling, soccer ⚽️, basketball 🏀, and a free outdoor playground. 📍 Location: Olympic Sports Center Children's Playground (Industrial Park) 🚗 By car: Free for 2 hours, CNY 5 per hour after that 🎡 Free play area: Two playgrounds One is suitable for younger children: Slide 🛝, swing, sandpit One is suitable for older children: Super long curved slide 🛝, climbing, balance beam, swing 🍽️ The Olympic Sports Center Mall is right next door, so it's easy to wash your hands, go to the bathroom, and eat. It's a great place to go when the weather is cool.
WaterfallWhisperer
WaterfallWhisperer
Suzhou - Classic Must-See Guide

Suzhou - Classic Must-See Guide

There is no bad time to visit Suzhou. If you love Chinese aesthetics, you must visit Suzhou❗️ Recommended accommodation: Guanqian Street 🌟🌟🌟 Day 1🚶: - Visit the gardens during the day - Humble Administrator's Garden + Lion Grove Garden (next to each other) Suzhou gardens are all similar, so we recommend visiting just one representative garden (listening to the stories behind the scenery is better than just looking at it, so we recommend hiring a guide to explain the garden to you. They are very professional, usually locals, and won't try to trick you. They are very good at what they do👍). - You can visit Pingjiang Road in the evening, which has everything you need for eating, drinking, and entertainment. Listen to "Pingtan" on Guanqian Street and experience the "soft Wu dialect". We recommend "Pipa Language" on Guanqian Street - Mr. Wu 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Day 2🚶: - Tiger Hill Pagoda, which is far from the city center But worth a visit The teahouse in the park is nice, and you can spend a whole day there - You can have "Su cuisine" for dinner Day 3🚶: - Pray at Hanshan Temple (Image 2) For the line "Outside the Gusu City, Hanshan Temple, the midnight bell rings to the guest boat" You can take a night walk around Jinji Lake and check in at one of the "Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai Trio" at night. Oh, and you must visit Suzhou Museum! Make a reservation in advance, usually a week in advance. It is difficult to make a reservation during holidays‼️ Suzhou is known as "Su Daqiang", a city you will want to visit again❗️
AuroraSky111
AuroraSky111
Suzhou! A great city to walk around Pingjiang Road and stay in a Suzhou courtyard~

Suzhou! A great city to walk around Pingjiang Road and stay in a Suzhou courtyard~

Suzhou, a very comfortable hotel~ A very stylish Jiangnan courtyard, affordable and comfortable😀 And pet-friendly🐶~ If you're planning to visit Suzhou during the winter holiday or Lunar New Year, check it out~ ✨️A 5-minute walk to Pingjiang Road, less than 100 meters to the subway, and less than 15 minutes to Guanqian Street and Dinghui Temple Twin Towers. Very convenient to go anywhere~ ✨️Very convenient to visit attractions and various neighborhoods, with subway🚇, bus, and food delivery. Also provides Suzhou Station pick-up service~ - ✨️A hidden gem courtyard🏡 in a quiet place, with exquisite decoration and unique design, perfect for photo lovers~ ✨️The room is large, fully intelligent, with a giant screen projector, 100 inches, very enjoyable~ The bathroom is thoughtfully equipped with disinfectant wipes and toilet seat covers, very detailed ✨️The front desk staff is enthusiastic and polite, and also provides travel guides. The recommended breakfast is rich🍱, the famous Suzhou specialty restaurant has delicious dishes, very cost-effective, highly recommended to friends visiting Suzhou
AmeliaBryant*74
AmeliaBryant*74
I'm so satisfied with my Suzhou travel guide that I can't sleep

I'm so satisfied with my Suzhou travel guide that I can't sleep

Reality version of Dream of Splendor‼️ The most comprehensive guide for two days and one night in Suzhou📝 · 1⃣️Shantang Street is really crowded But the sunset and night view are truly beautiful! Taking a ride on a black-awning boat is really romantic~✨ 2⃣️There are so many delicious foods on Pingjiang Road! You can't finish walking down the road in half an hour, it's all about eating and drinking😁 (There's also Guanqian Street, suitable for 🛍️🛒) 3⃣️I love Hanshan Temple, it's so beautiful~ (Remember to buy incense at the entrance in advance, it's more cost-effective!) The pond full of koi is really stunning♨️ In the morning, you can have a bowl of the famous vegetarian noodles nearby 4⃣️It takes more than half an hour to finish visiting the Humble Administrator's Garden (not 🆓) It's not as amazing as I imagined But it's still pretty good for taking photos 5⃣️I found out that the Suzhou Museum, Humble Administrator's Garden, and Lion Grove are all on the same route You can plan to finish them in half a day You need to book the museum one week in advance! (The picture is of the main museum, the West Museum can be booked one day in advance) But the museum is really, really, really beautiful and photogenic! The area selling souvenirs is also worth a long visit! Lots of desirable items~ 6⃣️It's already impossible to queue for the old man's name painting on Pingjiang Road🤣! Too scary! Families, come early to make a reservation😭 The spot is right at the entrance 7⃣️Hotel, we chose Indigo, the standard room is 400 per person The city skyline is perfectly unobstructed! Absolutely! 8⃣️Hot springs♨️ If you have enough time, you can drive to Wang Yan Hot Springs I heard it's the largest outdoor hot spring in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, and it's really fun! And there's a pool full of little yellow ducks! So fun that you don't want to leave! · 🍧🍡🧁🍤🥤🍵 Food category: 1. For the 'Crab Three Treasures', you need to reserve two and a half hours to be able to enjoy it (You can queue up first and then have enough time to visit Pingjiang Road and the Humble Administrator's Garden) 2. The siu mai from Dongguan Shangdian took a 40-minute car ride to check in 3. The three stores of Chayanyuyu are all on Pingjiang Road, but they are all very crowded Taking photos is indeed beautiful 4. The six-grid puzzle dish, called Xin Meihua, is frequented by locals 5. You must try the chicken feet on Pingjiang Road! There are two stores, I've tried both, and they are good~
Gray_25 Penelope
Gray_25 Penelope
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Suzhou! Lamborghini! Super value garden-style hotel!!

Suzhou! Lamborghini! Super value garden-style hotel!!

||The hotel really has a great living experience with its Suzhou garden architectural style! 🈶With a courtyard 🈶With a terrace 🈶Children's facilities When the weather is nice, you can sit on the balcony and have some tea, it's truly tear-jerkingly good - 🌱Hotel Facilities The hotel is newly opened, and all the facilities are very new, very satisfying once you enter 💯.! The rooms are very clean, the atmosphere is very comfortable, and the whole house can be controlled by Xiaodu Parking is convenient, free parking for hotel guests, and the bathroom has a dry-wet separation Plus there's a hidden curtain, no need for the hassle of pulling back and forth, no noise at night and the sound insulation is very good, the bath towels and bathrobes are very tidy 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 - 🌱Hotel Service Found this popular hotel by Jinji Lake, very lucky! There's a family-style jacuzzi inside, it's really great! Wake up in the morning, take a bath, and you feel completely rejuvenated Really like the jacuzzi here, the design is very user-friendly Highly recommend it to all friends! - 🌱Hotel Location The location is very good, just a few minutes walk from the subway station, Suzhou Center, and the 'Giant Pants'. The night view outside the hotel is very beautiful in the evening, and there's also a musical fountain show in the square. It's a very nice hotel for visiting Jinji Lake, and I would visit again if I have the chance - 🚦Suzhou City
EMMETT SHERMAN
EMMETT SHERMAN
The route recommended by Suzhou Culture and Tourism is not crowded even on holidays, making it very suitable for taking children out for a walk

The route recommended by Suzhou Culture and Tourism is not crowded even on holidays, making it very suitable for taking children out for a walk

🚶‍♀️Start from Gunxiufang behind Shiquan Street Pass by Nanyuan Hotel, Suzhou No.10 Middle School, Daichengqiao Xiatang, Wuyachang, Baibu Street, Shengjia Dai, Wangxing Bridge Finally arrive at Shuangta and Dinghui Temple 💡Although this route is not crowded with tourists, it is by no means niche. It is a representative Suzhou scenery - parallel waterways and adjacent river streets in a double checkerboard layout, and its location is right in the city center, parking is also convenient! Tips: ✅Introduction of the attractions, there are codes on the buildings along the way, you can scan and read them yourself, Suzhou Culture and Tourism is really quite advanced in this aspect We took one of the officially recommended routes called 'Xiaoxiang Youyou', each route has about half an hour of audio commentary ✅If you drive, it is recommended to park at Nanyuan Hotel, which has a huge parking lot ✅Shuangta Market is the only internet-famous spot, it is indeed crowded but it does not hinder taking pictures, it is not recommended to sit down for a meal, especially if you are with children, it is very inconvenient, you can consider takeout. ✅The best view of Shuangta is on the third floor of Suzhou City Tourist Information Center Located at 276 Phoenix Street Inside there are coffee shops, postcards and stamp collections, etc., the second floor is a bookstore What's amazing is that across the street, Pingjiang Road is the kind of popular tourist area where it's so crowded that you can't get in, but here it's very quiet and it seems like not many people know about it We took the pictures on New Year's Day 1.1, there really aren't many people in the picture🤦
BenjaminThompson.28
BenjaminThompson.28
A trip down the ancient China
thingstodo

A trip down the ancient China

Lost in the tranquil beauty of the Humble Administrator's Garden. A masterpiece of classic garden design, with timeless pavilions and picturesque bridges. This is one of the biggest of the four gardens in Suzhou and it is conveniently located near Pingjjang Street. Plus it creates the perfect backdrop to capture your hanfu moments. And we weren’t the only who think so, as you see many who are dressed up in hanfu too #thingstodo
Cassakating
Cassakating
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Explore Huqiu Wetland Park | Where is the Metasequoia Wonderland?

Explore Huqiu Wetland Park | Where is the Metasequoia Wonderland?

| Where is the Metasequoia Wonderland? 🐯 Explore Huqiu Wetland Park 🌲 | Where is the Metasequoia Wonderland? 👣 Raise your hand if you've been to Huqiu Wetland Park 👀, but honestly, how many of you have walked around the whole park? The park is ridiculously big 🤯, and if you enter through the wrong entrance, you'll have to walk 5 or 6 km 👣! 🍂 It's metasequoia season, which entrance leads directly to this dreamland? 🔍 📍 Answer: Head straight to the Xinyuqiao Visitor Center! From there, head northeast and you'll enter a fairy tale world ✨. 🌉 Xinyi Bridge Secret Realm 🚶‍♀️: The sun shines through the trees, the path winds, and you walk through a glass fish tank. Stroll along the river, and the water alley and metasequoia forest gradually come into view, until you reach Xinyi Bridge - the best place to take photos of metasequoias 📸! 🍁 Fir Forest Time 🕒: In the afternoon, around 2 or 3 pm, the sunset and red leaves dance together, creating a stunning scene 😍. When the leaves are completely red, it's even more spectacular. Come and enjoy the view! 🌸 Lotus Metasequoia Forest Adventure 🧭: Continue south, and you'll find the Lotus Metasequoia Forest waiting for you. The colors are vibrant and varied, and the wooden corridor weaves through the forest, creating a peaceful and magnificent scene. The sound of birds chirping is refreshing 🕊️. 🚗 Transportation Tips 🚗: - Navigate to Xinyuqiao Visitor Center for the fastest route to the Metasequoia Wonderland! - Subway 🚇: Take Line 8 to "Huqiu Wetland Park" Station, Exit 4, and enter through the east gate (about 3.7 km from the visitor center). - Cyclists 🚴‍♂️: Navigate to "Huqiu Wetland Zhuangzhi Bridge." - Drivers 🚗: Xinyuqiao/Qingtai Village Parking Lot has plenty of parking spaces, so you can park with peace of mind! 🏞️ Nearby Attractions: Don't miss the "Water Alley Metasequoia Forest" internet-famous spot, as well as fishing 🎣, water houses, transparent boats & bamboo rafts, coffee camps ☕️, Shouzhuo Restaurant 🍽️ & Tea Room 🍵. See the guide map for points 1-7! 📍 Huqiu Wetland has entrances in both Gusu and Xiangcheng. Tired of walking? Rent a bike 🚴‍♀️ in the park, or take the red metasequoia water route. The metasequoias in December are not to be missed 🎉!
LilyTurner@39
LilyTurner@39
Because of a book, I visited a city (with travel tips included)

Because of a book, I visited a city (with travel tips included)

How can you know the splendor of spring without visiting the gardens? How can you understand the elegance of Kunqu opera without listening to it? How can you grasp the romance of Suzhou without seeing the Panmen Gate? - Panmen Gate, both a land and water entrance, is one of the 'Top Eleven Canal Views' that tourists must check in when visiting Suzhou, Some even describe it as the Venice on the water, Twinkling stars, like a galaxy, spread across the sky above the entire Panmen area, The moat, the ancient city wall, the city gate tower, Ruiguang Pagoda, the stone arch bridge, Boat tours, Kunqu opera, Pingtan, the dazzling light show, And the lights of thousands of households along the river, This is the essence of Suzhou's thousand-year history that you must see, It is also where the romance of Suzhou lies. - 📍Panmen, 49 Dongda Street, Suzhou 🚙If driving, there is a parking lot at the entrance of Panmen scenic area 🅿️, parking spaces are limited, you can also take subway lines 4⃣️ and 5⃣️ to Nanmen Station Exit 2 and walk 1.2 kilometers 🎫40 yuan, you can also buy a combo ticket that includes a boat tour, wishing water lanterns, and bell-ringing for blessings. If you don't buy a ticket, you can still enjoy the charming scenery by walking along the moat outside Panmen. Moat route: Xiangmen - Loumen - Qimen - Pingmen > Changmen > Xumen Panmen Shemen Xiangmen
OWEN SHELTON
OWEN SHELTON
Suzhou's Seven-mile Shantang

Suzhou's Seven-mile Shantang

💫The "Number One Street in Suzhou" is the Seven-mile Shantang Street, which has a history of over 1000 years. There are indeed many ancient town streets in Suzhou~ 💫Shantang Street is very characteristic of Suzhou, with typical small bridges, flowing water and households. It's like a picture of a dreamy water town, very beautiful~ 💫There is a special tranquility here during the day. Don't come on holidays, you can stroll around quietly, stand on the bridge and take pictures of these old houses, forming a unique landscape with the lake~ 💫This place is actually very suitable for wearing cheongsams, those who like to take photos will get great shots~ 💫The beauty of the south of the Yangtze River is not seasonal, the scenery of the south of the Yangtze River depends on your mood. If you are poetic, it will be poetic, if you are melancholic, it will be misty and rainy...
DestinationExplorer
DestinationExplorer
A Suzhou Travel Guide After 5 Visits: Inspired by a Song

A Suzhou Travel Guide After 5 Visits: Inspired by a Song

🎵“Above there is paradise, below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou, gardens within the city, and lakes beyond…” The melody of "Beautiful Scenery of Suzhou" always makes my heart yearn for this city. This year, I finally embarked on a relaxing 4-day journey to Suzhou. Come along with me! 🌆 Suzhou, located in the central Yangtze River Delta, boasts a history of over 2,500 years. Despite the lingering chill of February, spring is in the air. The ancient city, with its whitewashed walls and black-tiled roofs, small bridges, and flowing water, exudes charm under the misty rain or warm sunshine. The exquisite gardens, the meandering canals, and delicacies like squirrel-shaped mandarin fish all showcase the allure of Jiangnan. 🚌 Transportation: After arriving at Sunan Shuofang International Airport or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, you can take a bus, high-speed train, or subway to Suzhou. Within the city, the subway is the primary mode of transport, supplemented by buses. For suburban attractions, take the tourist bus and enjoy the idyllic scenery of the countryside and water towns along the way😃. 🎯 Itinerary: Days 1-2: City Center - Humble Administrator's Garden - Suzhou Museum - Pingjiang Road Day 1: Explore the Humble Administrator's Garden in the morning, immersing yourself in a picturesque landscape and appreciating the ingenuity of ancient garden design. Have squirrel-shaped mandarin fish for lunch, savoring its crispy exterior and tender, sweet, and sour flavor. In the afternoon, visit the Suzhou Museum to admire the collections and learn about history. In the evening, stroll along Pingjiang Road, enjoying tea, music, and a leisurely atmosphere. Day 2: Revisit Pingjiang Road in the early morning for a breath of fresh air. Enjoy Suzhou-style noodles for lunch, featuring thin noodles in a flavorful broth with various toppings. In the afternoon, explore the Lion Grove Garden, navigating its maze-like rock formations, and then visit Guanqian Street. Day 3: Tiger Hill - Hanshan Temple Visit Tiger Hill in the morning to admire the Tiger Hill Pagoda, Sword Pond, and listen to legendary stories. Savor Suzhou-style pastries for lunch, enjoying their soft, glutinous, and sweet taste. In the afternoon, head to Hanshan Temple to listen to the bell tolls and experience tranquility. Day 4: Zhouzhuang (or Tongli) Ancient Town - Return Trip In the morning, choose to visit either Zhouzhuang or Tongli Ancient Town, taking a boat ride to appreciate the water town scenery and listen to the boatwoman's folk songs. Enjoy delicacies like Wan San Ti (braised pork hock) for lunch before returning. 🌟 Must-Visit Spots: 📍Fragrant Isle (Xiangzhou) in the Humble Administrator's Garden: Capture the poetic beauty of Xiangzhou and the surrounding landscape. 📍Ancient Bridges on Pingjiang Road: Take photos with the ancient bridges, flowing water, and whitewashed walls as a backdrop for a charming atmosphere. 💕 Travel Experience: These four days were a feast of culture and cuisine. The exquisite Humble Administrator's Garden, the serene Hanshan Temple, and the tempting food made me fall in love with Suzhou. Its gentle and elegant charm in February made it hard to leave, and I look forward to returning. 🍱 Food Recommendations: 🥘Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish: Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, with a sweet and sour sauce. 🍜Suzhou-style Noodles: Thin noodles in a flavorful broth with a variety of toppings. 🥮Suzhou-style Pastries: Including plum blossom cakes, soft, glutinous, and sweet. 🦶Wan San Ti: Braised pork hock with a reddish-brown glaze and tender meat. 🥗A Po Cai: Pickled vegetables, salty and fragrant, perfect with rice. Suzhou's captivating scenery and cuisine await you. Come and experience it; you might just fall in love with it, just like I did, inspired by a song!
JuliusKokko
JuliusKokko
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