Suzhou is a major city on the lower Yangtze known for its canals, bridges, pagodas, and beautiful gardens. These gardens were built and owned by wealthy families and emperors hundreds of years ago, and make for a pleasant place to wander during nice weather. Suzhou is also a major center for silk production and manufacturing, and a tour of a silk factory here provides an interesting and educational glimpse of this Chinese textile industry. Suzhou is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Restaurants in Suzhou
4.5 based on 242 reviews
I am primarily reviewing the garden rather than the pagoda, the gate or the restored wall, as that is where I spent the most time - and the garden is gorgeous and, as someone else mentioned, not crowded at all. As others have mentioned, entrance to the garden is free if you are staying at the adjacent Pan Pacific Hotel (in which case you should absolutely make a point of visiting the garden). If you are in the garden early enough, you can watch people doing tai chi. Unlike most of the other Suzhou gardens, this garden is recent and is a sort of combination of classical Chinese ideas of gardening and western concepts of gardening. For this reason the garden is more spread out than other Suzhou gardens, and there is more greenery and more emphasis on colours from flowers and shrubs. The end result is very beautiful. If you are visiting in April, the peonies will be blooming, and they are stunning. Just to the south of the Panmen Scenic area there is a park that follows the bank of the Waicheng River for some distance. This is a scenic stroll, with many benches for relaxing, and it will take you past the 900-year-old Wumen Bridge.
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Built in 1084, this was the tallest bridge of its kind in its hay day. Now it offers a scenic view of the surrounding lake and leads into one of the entrances of the Panmen - a scenic ancient compound.
4.0 based on 808 reviews
A great spot to pick up souvenirs, eat and sightsee. Some amazing ice creams and toffees. Gondola’s make this the Venice of the East. Very interesting for all ages!
3.0 based on 2 reviews
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