Beijing to Shanghai
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Beijing to Shanghai - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Humble Administrator's Garden
More than half of Suzhou's largest garden is occupied by ponds and lakes. The garden was built in 1509 by Wang Xianjun, an official dismissed from the imperial court. He chose the garden's name from a Tang Dynasty line of poetry reading "humble people govern," perhaps a bit of irony considering the magnificent scale of his private residence. In the warmer months the pond overflows with fragrant lotuses and the garden fills with tourists. Seek out the tiny museum near the exit for an informative display on the aesthetic differences between Chinese and Western garden design.
178 Dongbei Jie, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215002, ChinaSight Details
Rate Includes: Mid-Apr.–Oct., Y90; Nov.–mid-Apr., Y70, Daily 7:30–5:30 -
2. Master of the Nets Garden
All elements of Suzhou style are here in precise balance: rocky hillscapes, layered planting, undulating walkways, and charming pavilions overlooking a central pond. Representing mountains, rivers, and the four seasons, it's a theme park of sorts, centuries before Walt Disney came along. It's also a fine example of how Chinese garden design creates the illusion of space, since this garden really isn't that big. To avoid the crowds, visit in the evening, when you can saunter from room to room enjoying traditional opera, flute, and dulcimer performances—as the master himself might have done. Evening performances are held from mid-March to mid-November.
11 Kuo Jia Tou Gang, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215002, China0512-6529–3190Sight Details
Rate Includes: Mid-Apr.–Oct., Y30; Nov.–mid-Apr., Y20, Daily 7:30–5 -
3. Blue Wave Pavilion
The oldest existing garden in Suzhou, the Blue Wave Pavilion dates back more than 900 years to the Song Dynasty. With a rambling, maze-like design, the grounds feel a little wilder than other Suzhou gardens. The central pond is surrounded by a wooden walkway; gaze into the water at the reflection of the upturned eaves of the surrounding buildings. More than 100 different latticework motifs in the windows provide visual variety as you saunter through the covered corridor that winds through the grounds. The Pure Fragrance Pavilion showcases Qing Dynasty furniture at its most extreme; the entire suite is created from gnarled banyan root.
3 Canlanting Jie, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215006, China0512-6519–4375Sight Details
Rate Includes: Mid-Apr.–Oct., Y20; Nov.–mid-Apr., Y15, Daily 7:30–5 -
4. Grand Canal
Suzhou is threaded by a network of narrow waterways, with an outer moat surrounding its ancient center. The canals that now seem quaint were once choked with countless small boats ferrying goods between the city's merchants. All of these channels connect eventually to imperial China's main conduit of trade and travel, the Grand Canal, which passes through the town's southern outskirts.
Suzhou, Jiangsu, China -
5. Hanshan Temple
Best known as a subject of one of the Tang Dynasty's most famous poems, which described the sound of its massive bell at midnight, this large, pristinely painted temple may leave those unfamiliar with the ancient poetry feeling a little underwhelmed. The place has the frenetic feel of a tourist attraction rather than the serenity of a temple. Literary pilgrims can line up to ring the temple bell themselves for an extra charge.
24 Hanshan Si Nong, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215002, China0512-6533–6634Sight Details
Rate Includes: Y20, Daily 8–5 -
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6. Joyous Garden
The youngest garden in Suzhou, Joyous Garden was built in 1874. It borrows elements from Suzhou's other famous gardens: rooms from the Humble Administrator's, a pond from the Master of the Nets. The most unusual feature is an oversize mirror, inspired by the founder of Zen Buddhism, who stared at a wall for years to find enlightenment. The garden's designer hung the mirror opposite a pavilion, to let the building contemplate its own reflection. From April to October the garden doubles as a popular teahouse in the evening.
343 Renmin Lu, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215002, China0512-6524–9317Sight Details
Rate Includes: Y15, Daily 7:30–5 -
7. Lingering Garden
Windows frame yet more windows, undulating rooflines recall waves, and a closed corridor opens out into a tranquil pool in this intriguing garden. The compound provides an endless array of architectural surprises: in a corner, an unexpected skylight illuminates a planted nook; windows are placed to frame bamboos as perfectly as if they were painted. The Mandarin Duck Hall is particularly impressive, with a picturesque moon gate engraved with vines and flowers. In the back of the garden stands a 70-foot-tall rock moved here from Lake Taihu. Occasional solo musical performances on erhu and zither enliven the halls.
338 Liuyuan Lu, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215002, China0512-6557–9466Sight Details
Rate Includes: Mid-Apr.–Oct., Y55; Nov.–mid-Apr., Y45, Daily 7:30–5 -
8. Lion's Grove Garden
This garden employs countless craggy rock formations from nearby Lake Taihu to create a surreal moonscape. A labyrinth of caves surrounds a small lake; they're great fun for kids to explore, but watch for sharp edges. There's a popular local saying that if you talk to rocks, you won't need a psychologist, making this garden a good place to spend a 50-minute hour. A tearoom on the second floor of the main pavilion has nice views over the lake.
23 Yuanlin Lu, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215002, China0512-6727–8316Sight Details
Rate Includes: Apr., May, and July–Oct., Y 40; Jan.–Mar., June, and Nov.–Dec., Y 30, Daily 8:15–5:30 -
9. North Temple Pagoda
One of the symbols of ancient Suzhou, this temple towers over the Old City. The complex has a 1,700-year history, dating to the Three Kingdoms Period. The wooden pagoda has nine levels; you can climb as high as the eighth level for what might be the best view of Suzhou. Within the grounds are the Copper Buddha Hall and Plum Garden, which, built in 1985, lack the history and complexity of Suzhou's other gardens.
1918 Renmin Lu, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215002, ChinaSight Details
Rate Includes: Y25, Mar.–Oct., Daily 7:45–6 -
10. Pan Gate
Traffic into Old Suzhou came both by road and canals, so the city's gates were designed to control access by both land and water. This gate—more of a small fortress—is the only one that remains. In addition to the imposing wooden gates on land, a double sluice gate can be used to seal off the canal and prevent boats from entering. A park is filled with colorful flowers, in contrast to the subdued hues in the city's traditional gardens. You can also climb the Ruiguang Pagoda, a tall, slender spire originally built more than 1,000 years ago.
1 Dong Dajie, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215002, China0512-6526–0004Sight Details
Rate Includes: Panmen Gate, Y40; Ruigang Pagoda, Y6, Daily 8–4:45 -
11. Precious Belt Bridge
Spanning a small lake, this ancient bridge of 53 stone arches has a neglected air, overgrown with grass and surrounded by nondescript modern buildings. Seeing practically no tourists, it's a strangely forlorn and moving sight. By taxi it's about 25 minutes from the center of town.
Yingchun Nan Lu, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China -
12. Suzhou Arts and Crafts Museum
This impressive collection of contemporary art is proof that Suzhou craftsmanship remains very healthy. It's just a shame that, all too often, ivory seems to be the material of choice. A highlight here is watching artists in action during high season, carving jade, cutting latticework fans from thin sheets of sandalwood, and fashioning traditional calligraphy brushes. Perhaps most amazing is the careful attention to detail of the women embroidering silk. The museum is amid attractive gardens and traditional buildings.
88 Xibei Jie, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215002, ChinaNo phoneSight Details
Rate Includes: Y15, Daily 9–5 -
13. Suzhou Museum
This is the most modern building to emerge amid a neighborhood of traditional architecture. The museum is the valedictory work for 90-year-old modernist master I.M. Pei. A controversy erupted over whether to allow Pei to construct the glass-and-steel structure in historical Suzhou. Like his crystal pyramid in the courtyard of the Louvre, this building thrives on juxtapositions of old and new. The museum houses historical objects from Suzhou's ancient past and an impressive collection of Ming and Qing Dynasty paintings and calligraphy. English-language docent tours cost Y100.
202 Dongbei Jie, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215002, China0512-6757–5666Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Mon., Tues.–Sun. 9–5 -
14. Temple of Mystery
One of the best-preserved Taoist complexes in Suzhou, the Temple of Mystery is a rare example of a wooden structure that has stood the test of time, with parts dating from the 12th century (it was founded in the 3rd century). Fortunately it suffered little damage in the Cultural Revolution and retains a splendid ceiling of carefully arranged beams and braces painted in their original colors. The temple grounds back on to a large square that is now a touristy market.
94 Guanqian Jie, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215002, China0512-6777–5479Sight Details
Rate Includes: Y10, Daily 8:30–5 -
15. Tiger Hill
This hill is the burial place of the king of the State of Wu, who founded the city in 514 BC. At the top of the approach is a huge sheet of stone called Thousand Man Rock, where legend has it that the workers who built the tomb were thanked for their labors with an elaborate banquet. The wine, alas, was drugged, so they perished to keep the tomb's entrance a secret. Modern archaeologists think they have discovered it hidden under the artificial lake. The secret may be out, but the king's wish to rest in peace is ensured by the fact that excavating the tomb would bring down the fragile Song Dynasty pagoda that stands above. The Leaning Pagoda is one of the most impressive monuments in Suzhou, with Persian influence evident in the arches and other architectural elements. A helpful audio guide explains many of the park's legends.
656 Huqiu Lu, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215002, China0512-6532–3488Sight Details
Rate Includes: Apr., May, and July–Oct., Y 80; Jan.–Mar., June, and Nov.–Dec., Y 60, Daily 7:30–5 -
16. West Garden Temple
This temple is most notable for the Hall of 500 Arhats (wubai luohan tang), which houses 500 gold-painted statues of these Buddhist guides. Many of the carvings exhibit a playful humor: one struggling with dragons, another cradling a cat.
18 Xiyuan Nong, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215002, ChinaSight Details
Rate Includes: Y30, Daily 7–5
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