How to Spend a Day in Suzhou

Suzhou is a destination of culture and art. This historically important Chinese city was once the hub for scholars, elite class members, writers and artists. From ornate viewing decks to beautiful pagoda, Suzhou hosts a number of attractions.

1. About Suzhou

The city is known for its artistic flair, which is reflected in its gardens. This city is endearingly referred to as the Venice of the East. Emulating other Chinese cities, Suzhou is now administering many transformations to its architecture and infrastructure. Suzhou is a fast-growing city, and it's rapidly becoming a major tourist destination as well. Tourists can find a hotel in Suzhou Industrial Park without much effort, and the likes of Ascott Midtown Suzhou can be easily found here.

2. What to do in 24 hours

A one-day Suzhou itinerary should include historical sites, shopping and dining. The focus of your itinerary should be the central downtown area; this is where you'll find the canals and the gardens that the city is famous for. To explore the nearby mountains, lakes and plazas, you will have to extend your stay. You can explore the central area on foot as most attractions are located close to one another. However, walking around can exhaust you, so the best thing to do is to get a taxi.

3. Visit the Humble Administrator Garden

This is an example of the type of attractions Suzhou is known for. The Humble Administrator Garden is the most famous artistic garden in the city. It is usually packed with people, but you can escape the crowds if you visit in the morning. The garden occupies nearly 50,000 square metres. Like other gardens in the city, the Humble Garden Administrator Garden is the make-up of several other gardens. Built in 1509, the garden boasts of various halls, parlours and pavilions.

4. Suzhou Museum

After your garden tour, you can head over to Suzhou Museum, which is located close to the Humble Administrator Garden. There's no administration fee, and the museum displays a range of calligraphy, paintings and art. The museum was first opened in 1960, but in 2006, it was moved to another building with a modern design. The new building contrasts with the historic ambience of the city. The interior design of the new building is as spectacular as the collection on display.

5. Go for a boat ride down the canal

A boat ride is essential for you to have a complete Suzhou experience. You can ride down the canal that fringes Pingjiang Road. After you are done exploring the museum, head to Pingjiang Road as it is the closest to the museum. On your boat ride, you'll see historic buildings and street markets that border the canal. Don't worry if you can't find a boat; you can still explore the alleyways intersecting the road on foot.

6. Shopping

After the boat ride, head to Guan Qian Shopping Street for some shopping. This shopping street has to be part of your one-day itinerary. There's nothing you won't find here. From local food to clothes to handicrafts, Guan Qian Shopping Street offers everything a tourist would want to buy. You will also see several jewellery stores and department stores.

7. Best time to visit

The city is located on the eastern coast of the country. Suzhou has a subtropical climate with typical season traits. During winter, it can be extremely cold, and during summer, the temperatures rise up to an unbearable level. The city is known for its artistic gardens, and the best time to visit would be the period from April to October; this is when the flowers are in full bloom, and the gardens are its greenest.