Suzhou Museum 

Designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize-winner, Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei, Suzhou Museum was inaugurated in 2006. It is a significant construction, blending traditional Chinese architecture with modern design. 

Suzhou Museum houses more than 15,000 artefacts in its collections, ranging from ancient paintings and calligraphy, ceramics, crafts and relics.

Suzhou Silk Museum 

Suzhou Silk Museum documents the history of the city’s renowned silk and embroidery industry from its origins dating back to around 2000 BC. Key exhibits include old working looms with demonstrations, samples of ancient silk patterns and an explanation of sericulture.

Kunqu Opera 

Recognized as an ancient surviving forms of Chinese opera, Kunqu Opera is listed as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Its vocal techniques are thought to have been developed during the Ming dynasty. Many plays, including “The Peony Pavilion” and “The Peach Blossom Fan,” remain highly popular today.

Suzhou Pingtan 

A distinctive regional variation on the oral performance, Suzhou pingtan originated around 1 century ago. It was influenced by the Wu culture, incorporating art, music and literature. Performances blend storytelling, comedy, music and aria singing.

Suzhou Silk Embroidery 

Suzhou embroidery has a history dating back 2,000 years. It is famous for its flawless craftsmanship, featuring elaborate patterns, colours, and a variety of stitches.

The stitching is meticulous, with Suzhou artists employing more than 40 needlework techniques and around 1,000 types of thread to embroider. It is typically designed with nature themes, such as flowers, animals and even gardens on a piece of cloth.

Suzhou Culture and Arts Centre 

Located east of Jinji Lake, Suzhou Culture and Arts Centre is a vibrant cultural hub occupying an area of 138,000 square metres. It is the permanent host of the China Film Golden Rooster Awards.

Woodblock New Year Picture 

Taohuawu Woodblock New Year Picture was listed as one of the first works of national intangible cultural heritage. This unique traditional artwork was created at the end of the Ming dynasty. Its symmetrical composition has an elegant style.

Nut Carving 

Suzhou is the birthplace of nut carving. The main themes designed in this intricate folk art form are scenes of nature, birds, human figures and the Buddha.