Suzhou City, abbreviated as "Su" and formerly known as Gusu and Pingjiang, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Jiangsu Province. Located in East China, in the southeastern part of Jiangsu Province, it is one of the important central cities in the Yangtze River Delta. Suzhou is famous worldwide for its unique charm of "small bridges, flowing water, and traditional houses," and is known as "Heaven on Earth" and "Venice of the East."
Suzhou is situated in the Taihu Plain, with a dense network of rivers, exhibiting prominent water town characteristics. It has a subtropical monsoon oceanic climate, with distinct seasons, mild weather, and abundant rainfall. This city perfectly integrates over 2500 years of rich history with modern vitality.
The soul of Suzhou lies in its classical gardens. These UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Lingering Garden, are the ultimate embodiment of the aesthetic tastes of ancient Chinese literati. Through exquisite layouts and the art of piling rocks and managing water, they create boundless artistic concepts within limited spaces.
Strolling along Pingjiang Road or Shantang Street, the bluestone paths underfoot, the gurgling water beside you, and the ancient stone bridges overhead all tell the thousand-year-old stories of this ancient city. You can take a small black-awning boat and traverse the waterways, experiencing the tranquility and leisure of a water town.
Suzhou is not only a city of gardens but also a silk capital and the birthplace of Kunqu Opera. Suzhou silk is renowned at home and abroad for its exquisite craftsmanship and magnificent texture, while the melodious and graceful Kunqu Opera is hailed as the "ancestor of a hundred operas."
Meanwhile, the modern new area represented by Suzhou Industrial Park showcases another side of Suzhou as an international metropolis. Here, skyscrapers stand tall, industries flourish, serving as an important window for China's opening-up and economic development.
What is there to do in Suzhou China?
The best time to visit Suzhou is during spring, from March to May, and autumn, from September to November.
In spring, Suzhou enjoys pleasant weather, with lush greenery and vibrant flowers blooming in all major classical gardens, making it an excellent time for outings and flower appreciation.
In autumn, the weather is crisp and clear, and the fragrance of sweet osmanthus fills the air. Not only can visitors admire the autumn colors in the gardens, but they can also savor the plumpest Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs.
These two seasons avoid the scorching heat of summer and the damp cold of winter, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the poetic beauty of "Heaven on Earth" in the most comfortable weather.
King Helü of Wu ordered Wu Zixu to build Helü Great City, marking the beginning of Suzhou city and laying the foundation for its ancient urban layout.
In the ninth year of Kaihuang reign during the Sui Dynasty, Wujun was abolished, and the city was renamed Suzhou due to Gusu Mountain to its west. The name Suzhou originated from this time. The opening of the Grand Canal made it a prosperous commercial center.
Suzhou reached its peak during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, becoming one of the national economic and cultural centers, with its garden construction, silk weaving, and handicrafts unparalleled nationwide.
The China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) was established, opening a new chapter in Suzhou's modernization and becoming a successful model for China's reform and opening-up.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Suzhou
Listed in the "World Heritage List" in batches in 1997 and 2000, including nine gardens: the Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden, Master of the Nets Garden, Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty, Canglang Pavilion, Lion Grove Garden, Garden of Cultivation, Couple's Retreat Garden, and Retreat and Reflection Garden. They are outstanding examples of Chinese classical garden art.
Listed in the "World Heritage List" in June 2014, the Suzhou section is one of the oldest and most essential parts of the canal, including multiple sections of waterways such as Shantang River, Shangtang River, Ditang River, and Pingjiang River, as well as heritage sites like Baodai Bridge and Shantang Historical and Cultural District.
Explore Suzhou's rich intangible cultural heritage and learn about traditional crafts and cultural essence
2001-05Included
Originating in Kunshan, Suzhou, it is one of China's oldest opera forms, known as the "ancestor of a hundred operas." Its singing is elegant and melodious, its recitations refined, and its performances delicate. In 2001, it was inscribed by UNESCO as one of the first "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity."
2003-11Included
The Wu School of Guqin art formed during the Ming Dynasty and was popular in the Suzhou region. Its style is subtle, distant, balanced, and harmonious, focusing on expressing the inner world and aesthetic tastes of literati. It is an important school of Chinese Guqin art.
2009-09Included
Song Brocade is a traditional silk craft product unique to Suzhou, alongside Nanjing Yunjin and Sichuan Shujin, it is known as one of "China's Three Famous Brocades." Its patterns are exquisite, colors elegant, and texture thick and firm, often used for mounting calligraphy and paintings, and for making clothing.
Transportation you must know when visiting Suzhou
Suzhou does not have a civilian airport, but the nearby Sunan Shuofang International Airport (WUX) is only about a 30-minute drive away. Additionally, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is also very convenient to reach, with the fastest high-speed train taking only 25 minutes.
Airport buses and customized shuttle services are available between the airport and Suzhou city center, with fares approximately 30-50 Yuan.
Suzhou has multiple railway stations, with major hubs including Suzhou Station, Suzhou North Station (high-speed rail station), Suzhou Industrial Park Station, and Suzhou New District Station.
As an important node on the Shanghai-Nanjing line, taking a high-speed train from Suzhou to Shanghai takes as fast as 25 minutes, and to Nanjing as fast as 50 minutes.
Suzhou Metro currently operates 5 lines, covering major urban areas and transportation hubs.
Fares are calculated by distance, ranging from 2-8 Yuan.
Passengers can use the "Su E-Travel" APP, Alipay, WeChat, or Transportation Union Card to ride.
Suzhou city center has over 400 bus routes, with a basic fare of 2 Yuan. Air-conditioned buses incur an extra charge, and seasonal discounts are supported.
Additionally, there is the "Suzhou Haoxing" tourist special line, connecting major gardens and tourist attractions, providing convenient sightseeing services.
The starting fare for taxis in Suzhou is 10 Yuan (within 3 kilometers), followed by 1.8 Yuan per kilometer, with extra charges for night service and waiting time.
Ride-hailing services are well-developed; you can easily hail a car through platforms like "Didi Chuxing".
Suzhou's public bicycles (Xiaolvche - Little Green Bikes) are widespread throughout the city, offering free rides for up to 1 hour.
Various shared bikes are also very popular, with an average cost of approximately 1.5 Yuan/30 minutes, making them an excellent way to explore the ancient city for short distances.
What to eat in Suzhou, you need to know
Sweet and Sour Mandarin Fish
A representative Suzhou dish; unique shape resembling a squirrel; crispy outside and tender inside, with a sweet and sour taste; requires extremely high knife skills.
Yangcheng Lake Hairy Crab
China's most famous crab variety; known for its rich roe and sweet, tender meat; best enjoyed in autumn; a seasonal delicacy.
Suzhou-style Noodle Soup
A daily breakfast choice for Suzhou locals; emphasizes "soup, noodles, and toppings"; the soup is clear but not oily, and the noodles are thin and springy; a wide variety of toppings are available, such as braised pork and deep-fried fish.
Pan-fried Pork Buns
A traditional Suzhou pastry; golden and crispy at the bottom, soft on top, with a delicious, juicy filling; a popular street snack.
Osmanthus-flavored Sticky Rice Stuffed Lotus Root
A classic Jiangnan dessert; soft, sticky, and sweet, with the refreshing fragrance of osmanthus flowers; enjoyable both hot and cold.