Suzhou Hotels

Proximity to Shanghai surely helps drive interest (and commerce) in Suzhou but the Jiangsu Province gem has a trump card. The “Classical Gardens of Suzhou” is a singular UNESCO World Heritage Site that lures millions of domestic tourists to the city every year. Marco Polo himself was a fan and wrote extensively about Suzhou as a result.

Happily, the sprawl of modern Suzhou has left most of the old city intact. A cluster of handsome pagodas, temples, gardens and canals offer venerable charm amid the urban din and backdrop of concrete, steel and glass.

Suzhou Top 10

Suzhou History

• Humble Administrator’s Garden - This ancient and beautiful garden is one of the most popular historical attractions.
• Tongli Town - This popular attraction features ancient homes that allow visitors to see the China of the past.
• Shangtang Street - Lanterns light the narrow streets of this historic street.
• Mudu Ancient Town - This city near Suzhou allows visitors to see what ancient China was like before modern inventions and traffic.
• Luxiang Ancient Village - Another ancient town that is built entirely of stones.

Suzhou Shopping

• Guan Qian Shopping Street - The many unique shops on this street make it a great place to window shop.
• Suzhou Embroidery Research Institute - If you are looking for beautiful and unique local embroidery, this is the place to start.
• Suzhou Silk Mill - You can learn about how silk is made and buy silk products at this unique shop, a great place to get souvenirs.
• Youhe Book - The best shop to buy new and used reading material, as well as maps of the area. 
• Xiangzhou Fan Workshop - This specialty shop sells beautiful handmade fans, which make great gifts.

Gay & Lesbian Suzhou

• Regalia Resort and Spa - This gay-friendly Suzhou resort is one of the nicest places to stay in the area.
• Hotel Soul - The attentive staff at this gay-friendly hotel make it a favourite with the gay and lesbian community.
• Kempinski Hotel - One of the favourite gay-friendly hotels due to its nice rooms and great views.
• Deep Breath - This hotspot draws a young gay crowd because of its weekend shows and dance floor.
• Hai Xing - This gay-friendly sauna is the perfect place to get a nice massage and relax after a hard day.

Suzhou Events

Kunqu Opera is a flagship cultural staple of Suzhou.

Suzhou Spring Festival is a colourful annual event.

Lantern Festival revives the classical gardens, canals and pagodas of the city to life in February.

Suzhou Bookworm International Literary Festival takes place in March.

Suzhou International Silk Festival takes place in September.

When To Go

Suzhou has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. A palpable monsoon influence sometimes hampers summer visitors but overall, average annual rainfall is a respectable 46 in (1,165 mm).

Temperatures in July and August climb to a range of 77°F (25°C) to 89°F (31°C) and let up gradually in late September. Winters feature conditions in the 34°F (1°C) to 52°F (11°C) range.

As is so often the case with humid subtropical China, the most comfortable months to visit Suzhou weather-wise are April, May, October and November.

Getting Around

Most visitors to Suzhou arrive via Shanghai and a minority from Jiangsu capital Nanjing. Shuttle and rail service is affordable and ample from both.

Yangzi river tours stop in Suzhou and often offer the chance to see the city over the course of a day or two.

A decent ensemble of historic monuments and landmarks congregate in a compact area of central Suzhou. Taxi and bus service is abundant and decent but may necessitate some ease with the local language. A new subway system is under construction and will eventually 4 lines and over 100 stops.

General Information

Attractions & Activities

Restaurant & Nightlife

Climate