Location: Suzhou
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The 10 Best Historical & Heritage Tours in Suzhou, Jiangsu
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
1. Private Day Tour: Suzhou Highlights with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Enjoy private Suzhou hotel or Railway Station pickup and drop-off services and escorted by professional local tour guide on this one day trip to explore attraction highlights in Suzhou. You will visit picturesque Tiger Hill, wander along Shantang Street (Seven-Li Shantang), take a boat ride along the river to enjoy fascinating scenery of this ancient town, visit typical Qing style garden of Lingering Garden (Liu Yuan), and Buddhist Hanshan Temple.
Inclusions: Private transportation, Professional tour guide, Bottled water, Chinese Lunch, Fuel surcharge and tax, Hotel pickup & drop-off, Entrance ticket fees
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By Sightseer790338
We visited Suzhou in September 2018 as a day trip from Shanghai. Our guide Celia picked us up at the train station and led us through the Humble Administrator's Garden, pointing out the structure of the garden and sharing the history and delightful anecdotes associated with it. The bonsai here impressed me most. Next we visited the Silk Museum. Celia (a native of Suzhou) is very knowledgeable about making silk, and she demonstrated some of the steps in the fascinating process herself, explaining other steps in detail. This was really the highlight of the day. Next Celia took us to a favorite local restaurant for a delicious lunch (the lotus root fritters were outstanding), where we were the only westerners. Lastly we went to ZhouZhuang water town, exploring the beautiful canals and shops. It's a lovely place, but perhaps a little too commercial. Finally Celia insisted on securing our return train tickets to Shanghai when she learned that we had not yet done so. Overall, Celia was an excellent guide. She did not push us to buy anything but when I expressed interest she was very helpful with information and advice, especially about silk products but also other items. The only reason for a 4 instead of 5 rating was that we didn't find the actual sites to be all that compelling given their UNESCO status - perhaps we were travel-weary after 2-1/2 weeks in China.
2. Private Hidden and Historical Suzhou Exploration from Shanghai
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
As a city nearby modern Shanghai but with a history of 2000 years, Suzhou has become more and more popular for visitors from all over the world. This tour is not only designed for you to catch the top highlights of Suzhou but allow you to slow down your pace, walk into the deep alley to see the real life of local people. You will visit a classical garden, ancient alleys along the canals, the Buddhist pagoda over 1000 years old and take a boat ride to see the oldest part of Suzhou from the water as well. Your knowledgeable local guide will explain you all the stories behind it and still find the best way to avoid the crowds. If you have some special tour requests, please feel free to suggest at the time of booking.
Inclusions: Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private vehicle, Lunch and entrance fees (if All Inclusive Package is selected)
Exclusions: All entrance fees (if Guide and Transfer Service option is selected), Lunch (if Guide and Transfer Service option is selected), Gratuities
Reviewed By Menepois
The tour was great. I learned a lot of interesting things about the Bund. Penny was great and friendly. She was also well informed.
3. Private Day Tour: Suzhou Incredible Highlights from Shanghai by Car or Train
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 30 reviews
Catch the highlights of historic Suzhou, including the Master of Nets Garden, on this 9-hour private day tour from Shanghai. Visit the striking Panmen Gate, surrounded by historic buildings, enjoy an included lunch on Shantang Street, tour one of China's finest silk factories, and visit the delicate Master of Nets Garden.
Inclusions: Personal tour guide, Premium car and driver, Bottled water, Central Shanghai hotel pickup and drop-off, Su style noodle authentic lunch, Hi-speed train optional, Flexible start time: Choose when booking
Exclusions: Tips-recommended
Reviewed By Abr24601
Thanks to Cassie and Jenny’s China Tours, I recently enjoyed a live virtual tour of the Leshan Buddha, one of the oldest Buddha statues in the world. Cassie made the experience come alive, and is an absolutely incredible tour guide. She is so kind, welcoming and knowledgeable! I felt like I was there in person. Cassie provided an excellent historical background (including the Buddha’s construction), and bravely climbed the steps to the top. She made the experience personal, pausing as she climbed the steps, giving me the opportunity to marvel at the Leshan Buddha from different perspectives, and answering all of my questions. I also enjoyed the pavilion and exquisite Buddhist temple behind the Leshan Buddha (including breathtaking Buddha statues). What an exceptional experience! I can’t wait to tour with Cassie and Jenny’s China Tours again.
4. Private Suzhou Garden and Water Town Highlight Trip with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1 reviews
Spend full day to explore the top attractions in Suzhou with private travel service exclusively. On the private day trip, you will visit the largest garden in Suzhou - Humble Administrator’s Garden (Zhuo Zheng Yuan) to explore the ingenious man-made landscape, Stroll around Zhouzhuang to enjoy the exquisite water town and charming natural scenery.
Inclusions: Private transportation, Professional tour guide, Bottled water, Chinese Lunch, Fuel surcharge and tax, Hotel pickup & drop-off, Entrance ticket fees
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By Ravi Kiran N
If you are an English speaker and can afford it, the best way to hit up a city in China is with a private, guided tour. A group of us had a day off from work and we were able to use this company for a tour of Nanjing. We were picked up from the high speed station by our driver and guide (Maggie). Per our research (on Tripadvisor) we ended up going to a bunch of sights, at our own pace, finishing the included lunch, ending up at the markets for some shopping. Maggie was a great help throughout - regaling us with stories, both historical and personal and even helping us negotiate prices at various tourist traps. Do your research, create an itinerary, have your host negotiate with the company on the phone and you should have a good experience.
5. Private Day Trip: Tongli Water Town from Shanghai with Lunch
Travel back in time from Shanghai on this private 9-hour trip to Tongli, one of China's prettiest and most celebrated water towns. Amble across picturesque bridges over ancient canals, capture shots of weather-beaten stone houses and flourishing gardens, and visit your choice of a pearl gallery or silk museum. Tour includes lunch.
Inclusions: Private English and Chinese speaking tour guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, English-speaking driver/guide, Lunch, Entrance fees of sites
Exclusions: Gratuities, Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Reviewed By Lynsie F
The whole experience was easy and enjoyable. We made a last minute booking for an evening tour in Shanghai and Terry met our requests where other companies couldn't. He provided a wonderful guide, Harris, who was polite and fun and knowledgeable. The tour included a night cruise on the river. It was winter, so Terry made it work that we could take the 5pm cruise, which still enabled us to see the lights and attend an acrobatics show after. Other companies simply told us it wasn't possible to do the cruise and show on the same night because of the conflicting start times. Both things are definitely worth doing in Shanghai. The downside of squeezing both activities in was we couldn't eat dinner until after the show. Harris recommended some restaurants near our hotel and even called them to check the kitchen and opening times for us. Between the cruise and the show, he pulled in to buy us a treat that has apparently been an overnight sensation in Shanghai - I can't remember what it was called, but it tasted like a sushi doughnut! It was actually nice. Booking was quick and easy. Deposit and payment was seamless. The tour was great. Highly recommended.
6. Private 3-Night Tour of Suzhou with Accommodation
Discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Classical Gardens of Suzhou on a 3-night private tour that includes 5-star accommodations. Visit the Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lingering Garden, Suzhou Museum, Shantang Street, Pingjiang Road, and other highlights as you explore the ‘Venice of the East.’ Includes private guide and vehicle, six meals, Kunqu Opera performance, and entrance fees.
Inclusions: 3 nights accommodations at a 5-star hotel, English-speaking professional guide, All private transfers during the tour, Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Optional night garden show, Transportation to/from Pan Pacific Hotel on arrival and departure days
7. Private Day Trip: Suzhou Garden and Zhouzhuang Water Town from Shanghai
When you go to Shanghai, you should not miss the exquisite gardens in nearby Suzhou or the beautiful water town interspersed with crisscrossing water lanes in Zhouzhuang. You can view old buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties and witness local villagers leading their simple and peaceful lives.
Inclusions: Private transportation, Licensed professional driver, English-speaking tour guide, Bottled water, Fuel surcharge and tax, Hotel pick-up and drop-off, Entrance ticket fees
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities
Reviewed By bechir m
clean place, many tourists , very charged place you can buy food and souvenirs make photos with original viewers
8. Private Day Tour: Gardens and Old Street in Suzhou with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer
Lingering in the exquisite classical gardens and wandering along wonderful ancient streets, you will truly appreciate the charm of Suzhou. On this private day trip, you will visit two of Suzhou's gardens, Humble Administrator's Garden and Lion Grove Garden (Shizilin), to enjoy classical Chinese landscaping style, discover rare cultural relics and unique architectures at Suzhou Museum, and stroll along Pingjiang Old Street.
Inclusions: Private transportation, Professional tour guide, Bottled water, Chinese Lunch, Fuel surcharge and tax, Hotel pickup & drop-off, Entrance ticket fees
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By Sightseer790338
We visited Suzhou in September 2018 as a day trip from Shanghai. Our guide Celia picked us up at the train station and led us through the Humble Administrator's Garden, pointing out the structure of the garden and sharing the history and delightful anecdotes associated with it. The bonsai here impressed me most. Next we visited the Silk Museum. Celia (a native of Suzhou) is very knowledgeable about making silk, and she demonstrated some of the steps in the fascinating process herself, explaining other steps in detail. This was really the highlight of the day. Next Celia took us to a favorite local restaurant for a delicious lunch (the lotus root fritters were outstanding), where we were the only westerners. Lastly we went to ZhouZhuang water town, exploring the beautiful canals and shops. It's a lovely place, but perhaps a little too commercial. Finally Celia insisted on securing our return train tickets to Shanghai when she learned that we had not yet done so. Overall, Celia was an excellent guide. She did not push us to buy anything but when I expressed interest she was very helpful with information and advice, especially about silk products but also other items. The only reason for a 4 instead of 5 rating was that we didn't find the actual sites to be all that compelling given their UNESCO status - perhaps we were travel-weary after 2-1/2 weeks in China.
9. Incredible Suzhou Cultural Day Tour From Shanghai by bullet Train
10-hour flexible Suzhou door-to-door day tour is precious. Take the stree out of booking train tickets from Shanghai to Suzhou and experience the best of Suzhou on this exciting day tour. Appreciate the art of Humble Administrator's Garden and its profound history. Wander among the gorgeous scenes at Tiger Hill, the No.1 sight of Suzhou. Learn about Chinese history in Panmen Gate, take a pleasant stroll down Shantang Street. A culture visit to see how the silk produced is also included!
Inclusions: Hotel or train station pickup and drop-off, Transportation by air-conditioned private vehicle, English and Chinese speaking tour guide, Bottled water, Round Way Train tickts if you book the all inclusive tour option, Entrance fees if you book the all inclusive tour option, Lunch if you book the all inclusive tour option
Exclusions: Gratuities (Recommend), Hotel in Shanghai Qingpu, Jinshan, Songjiang Jiading area pickup & drop off
Reviewed By aurora8833
Tommy was friendly, knowledgable and professional. We greatly enjoyed our short trip to Hangzhou especially the beautiful west lake.
10. Full-Day Suzhou Gardens Exploration with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer
Suzhou is a city famous for its abundant classical gardens, for China’s four most famous gardens, two of them are in Suzhou. This is a customized private day trip covering Suzhou fantastic gardens, you will visit the Humble Administrator's Garden, Master of Nets Garden and Lingering Garden, enjoy private travel experience with a professional tour guide’s commentary, and learn the splendid history and culture of this city.
Inclusions: Private transportation, Professional tour guide, Bottled water, Chinese Lunch, Fuel surcharge and tax, Hotel pickup & drop-off, Entrance ticket fees
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By Sightseer790338
We visited Suzhou in September 2018 as a day trip from Shanghai. Our guide Celia picked us up at the train station and led us through the Humble Administrator's Garden, pointing out the structure of the garden and sharing the history and delightful anecdotes associated with it. The bonsai here impressed me most. Next we visited the Silk Museum. Celia (a native of Suzhou) is very knowledgeable about making silk, and she demonstrated some of the steps in the fascinating process herself, explaining other steps in detail. This was really the highlight of the day. Next Celia took us to a favorite local restaurant for a delicious lunch (the lotus root fritters were outstanding), where we were the only westerners. Lastly we went to ZhouZhuang water town, exploring the beautiful canals and shops. It's a lovely place, but perhaps a little too commercial. Finally Celia insisted on securing our return train tickets to Shanghai when she learned that we had not yet done so. Overall, Celia was an excellent guide. She did not push us to buy anything but when I expressed interest she was very helpful with information and advice, especially about silk products but also other items. The only reason for a 4 instead of 5 rating was that we didn't find the actual sites to be all that compelling given their UNESCO status - perhaps we were travel-weary after 2-1/2 weeks in China.
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