Zhouzhuang Water Village 

Zhouzhuang, or the Venice of the Orient, is one of the renowned and muse-see attractions in Suzhou.

An ancient water town, the picturesque Zhouzhuang is surrounded by water and interlinked by rivers and canals. Some of the village’s attractive features include the winding water lanes, beautifully arched stone bridges and impressive ancient buildings.

The common way of getting around the Water Village is by boat.

The Humble Administrator’s Garden 

The Humble Administrator’s Garden was built during the Ming dynasty and has a history of over 500 years. In 1997, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Humble Administrator’s Garden is a recognized classical garden of Suzhou, spanning 52,000 square metres of serene water features, lush hills, flowers and dense bamboo forests, with elaborate pavilions found throughout. It exudes a tranquil beauty and is acclaimed as the crown jewel of China’s culturally important public gardens.

Lingering Garden 

Established during the Ming dynasty, the Lingering Garden is an accredited UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It is divided into 4 distinctly themed sections: east, west north and central. The central area is an old part of the garden. An ensemble of structures in the central garden encircles a pond and grotto, using yellow stone granite. The traditional homes and water features blend harmoniously with the surroundings.

Tiger Hill 

Despite its small size, Tiger Hill, has a rich history dating back more than 1,000 years.

Nestled within lush scenery, major highlights include the Sword-Testing Rock, the Spring of Simplicity and Honesty, and the leaning 7-storey-high Yunyan Pagoda, which commands sweeping views at the hill’s summit.

Shantang Street 

Extending from Tiger Hill to the ancient city, Shantang Street has a colourful history of more than 1,000 years. It winds along the bank of the Shantang River housing traditional specialty stores, for leisurely souvenir browsing and sampling an array of local snacks. Shantang Street was declared a Historical and Cultural Block of China in 2015.

Pingjiang Road  

The historic Pingjiang Road is located along the Pingjiang River and comprises 18 stone bridges. It was featured on the Pingjiang Tu map, which was first produced in 1229.

It still exudes a timeless ambience with well-preserved old residences now functioning as teahouses, boutiques and cafes. It is an ideal spot away from the bustle to experience a flavour of Suzhou’s storied past.

Garden of the Master of the Nets

Small in size but imposing in its beauty, this garden is acknowledged at the charming, impressive and serene garden in Suzhou.

A United Nations World Heritage Site, it houses each and every aspect of a typical Chinese garden. Its many walkways are well-maintained and replete with beautiful flowers and plants. The designs, architectural styles and ornamentation embody the style of the famed Song Dynasty.

Humble Administrator’s Garden

The Humble Administrator’s Garden is the large private garden in Suzhou and is located in the northeast of Suzhou city.

Representative of classical gardens in the Ming era, this green sanctuary focuses on a central pond surrounded by pavilions, terraces, towers and chambers.

Suzhou Museum

The Suzhou Museum houses ancient Chinese art, paintings, crafts and calligraphies. Its extensive collection (more than 30,000 relics and 70,000 books) features Neolithic pottery and jades, porcelain, bamboo and ivory carvings as well as textiles and contemporary art.

Rated as one of the pre-eminent museums in the city, the Suzhou Museum is well-connected. Visitors can easily reach its doorsteps via public bus or a car.

Suzhou Silk Museum

The Suzhou Silk Museum comes highly recommended for history buffs. The museum houses a number of fascinating exhibitions providing a thorough history of Suzhou’s silk trade over the last four centuries. Many of its captions are written in English.