In Suzhou, the beauty of classical gardens and landscapes is combined in one. The city has a long history and its beauty has inspired many ancient poems and other forms of literature. In China, Suzhou is known as the “City of Heaven.” It is surrounded by numerous ancient towns with old buildings and water towns with crisscrossing canals and bridges, creating spectacular scenery that is typical in the Jiangnan area of Southern China. Suzhou is filled with attractions that are worth visiting, such as the Humble Administrator's Garden, the Suzhou Museum, and much more.
Suzhou consists of 7 municipal districts and 5 county-level cities. The main popular attractions are located in the old city district and the Pingjiang District. The center of the old city is home to most of Suzhou's classical gardens and is a must-see destination for visitors. Pingjiang Road, Suzhou Museum and other attractions are located in Pingjiang District. The bustling Jinji Lake Scenic Area in the eastern part of the city integrates entertainment, dining and sightseeing. There are a lot of cultural heritage and historic sites in suburban areas of Suzhou’s neighboring Gusu city, such as the Top Place of Interest in Wuzhong, Tiger Hill, and Fengqiao Hanshan Temple. The surrounding ancient towns also make Suzhou a popular attraction. The towns of Zhouzhuang, Tongli and Luzhi are all known as Jiangnan water villages and each have their own unique characteristics.
Visitors to Suzhou generally choose to spend three to four days in the city; one day can be spent at the Humble Administrator's Garden, another day can be spent visiting the Feng Bridge or Panshan Scenic Area, and another can be spent visiting the surrounding ancient towns. Suzhou administers Wuzhong District (a large area that includes Lake Tai in the west and industrial parks in the east), Xiangcheng District, Gusu District, Huqiu District, Wujiang District, and four county-level cities, Changshu, Taicang, Kunshan and Zhangjiagang.
Most of Suzhou’s historical attractions, especially the classical gardens, are scattered throughout the old city area. In the northern part of the ancient city (formerly known as the Pingjiang District), well-known attractions such as Pingjiang Road Historic District, Humble Administrator's Garden, Lion Grove Garden, Suzhou Museum, and Beita Bao’en Temple are located. The center of the old city is the lively Guanqian Street area, which is a must visit for tourists visiting Suzhou. The southern area (the former Canglang District) has the famous Shiquan Street and Panmen Scenic Area. Shiquan Street is a food street. There are also attractions such as Master of the Nets Garden and Canglang Pavilion. Outside the old city is the Lingering Garden, one of China's top four famous gardens. Tiger Hill is about 3.6 kilometers away from the Suzhou Railway Station. It has historical attractions such as the Tiger Hill Pagoda, which is known as the "Oriental Leaning Tower of Pisa." The Suzhou Amusement Park, a park full of modern rides and entertainment facilities, is located in the foothills of the Shishan Mountain in Huqiu District. The eastern part of the city is a bustling industrial park. The Jinji Lake Scenic Spot has now developed into an attraction integrating leisure, entertainment and food, making it frequented by young people. You can always find hotels in Suzhou near your preferred attractions.
Suzhou has a subtropical monsoon climate with a mild and humid weather, four distinct seasons, and an average annual temperature of 17°C making it suitable for traveling all year round. The best periods for travel is March-May (spring) and September-October (autumn). In the spring, Suzhou is known for its beautiful flowers, and in the autumn, it’s known for its maple leaves. Those who visit in the spring can also go to the Taihu Islands to taste fresh peaches. From June to August in the summer, the temperature is about 29-33°C. Rain is also quite abundant during the summer, which can make it a bit inconvenient to travel, but the unexpected rain can also refresh the greenery in the classical gardens, and give visitors the chance to enjoy seasonal foods, such as sugar lotus and biluochun green tea. There are also some very hot days in the summer, and relatively speaking, August is not suitable for visiting Suzhou because of the oppressive heat. The months from September to November are also good for traveling to Suzhou. During these months, the average temperature is 18°C and the weather is cool. During these months, visitors can enjoy Dongshan red oranges, Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs, the red maple leaves on Tianping Mountain, and the chrysanthemum exhibition at the Humble Administrator's Garden. In the winter, from December to February, temperatures are around -10-8°C, and there are fewer people traveling during this time. In addition, from late January through February, plum blossoms bloom everywhere and winter flower festivals are held.