A Comprehensive Guide to Suzhou: How to Spend 1-3 Days Exploring

[Robyn Monahan]

If you're visiting Suzhou for the first time, I've got a lot of tips and insights as a local. You can pretty much cover all the best parts of Suzhou in just 1-3 days.

First, let's talk about Suzhou’s geography. It consists of six districts and four county-level cities (as shown in image 7). Most tourists focus on the six main districts, particularly Gusu, Xiangcheng, Hugu, and Industrial Park (these four are the most popular), along with Wuzhong and Wujiang.

Gusu District alone contains around 80% of Suzhou’s must-see attractions. If you only have 1-2 days, concentrating on Gusu will give you a great taste of Suzhou (check out image 2 for recommended spots).

Suzhou has three main types of attractions:

1. Classical Gardens: Located mainly in the old city (image 3). Must-visits include the Humble Administrator's Garden and Liu Garden.
2. Water Towns: Spread across different areas (image 4). The top picks are Tongli (closest by metro), Zhouzhuang (famous for its stunning night views), and Luzhi (less crowded with hand-rowed boats).
3. Historic Streets: Pingjiang Road (great for daytime strolls), Shantang Street (perfect for evening walks and photos), and Guanqian Street (lots of snacks and shopping options).

For the gardens, here’s a breakdown:

• Best overall: Humble Administrator's Garden and Liu Garden.
• Less crowded: Huqiu Mountain and its smaller gardens.
• Best for photography: Liu Garden and Tuisi Garden.
• Great for portraits: Canglang Pavilion and Liu Garden.
• Romantic couples spot: Ouyuan Garden.
• Unique rock formations: Lion Grove Garden.
• Night views: Humble Administrator's Garden and Wangshi Garden.
• Autumn scenery: Artistic Garden and Liu Garden.
• Flower viewing: Artistic Garden, Humble Administrator's Garden, and Liu Garden.

For water towns:

Tongli is the easiest to reach by public transport, while Zhouzhuang offers the best experience if you’re driving. Other towns like Mudu and Guangfu are less essential for short visits.

Historic streets:

• Pingjiang Road: Ideal for leisurely daytime walks.
• Shantang Street: Stunning at night, perfect for taking pictures.
• Guanqian Street: A bustling urban street filled with local snacks.

Suggested itineraries:

One day: Humble Administrator's Garden → Suzhou Museum → Pingjiang Road → Guanqian Street → Shantang Street.
Two days: Day one includes the above plus Suzhou University if time allows. Day two: Huqiu Mountain → Hanshan Temple → Xiyuan Temple → Liu Garden → Shantang Street.
Three days: Add one of the water towns, with Tongli being the top choice, followed by Zhouzhuang or Luzhi.

Remember, Suzhou is rich in culture and history, so take your time to enjoy it!

[Lula Turner]

What software did you use to create image 2?

[Glenn Ryan PhD]

It looks like PowerPoint.

[Velma Thompson]

I'm planning a trip from Shanghai to Suzhou and want to visit the Humble Administrator's Garden, Pingjiang Road, and Shantang Street. What's the best route?

[Jermaine Satterfield]

You can follow my suggested itinerary!

[Howard Legros]

Wow, I didn’t know the blogger was from Suzhou! This is amazing.

[Priscilla Marquardt IV]

Yes, originally from Changshu in Suzhou, but I’ve been living in Beijing for years.

[Roosevelt Reynolds]

Thank you so much for the detailed guide!