Cold Mountain Temple (Hánshān Sì, 寒山寺), named after a well-respected monk that lived during the short-lived Liang Dynasty, is one of China's most renowned Buddhist temples—mainly in part for its role in several Chinese legends, folk stories and poems by Tang Dynasty poet, Zhang Ji. Today's visitors admire the temple's unique black roof and domed bridge. Other buildings in the temple complex include a Grand Prayer Hall, Sutra-Collection Building, Bell Tower, Fengjiang Pavilion and Tablets Corridor. The surrounding gardens are well maintained and definitely worth a look. Jiangsu guide | Suzhou guide | Suzhou attractions Suzhou flights (Shanghai) | Suzhou hotels Suzhou tours & activities | Suzhou on the China Travel Blog more >>

The smallest but most renowned Suzhou garden, the Garden of the Master of Nets (Wǎngshī Yuán, 网师园) welcomes visitors into another world. Lattice windows within the residence perfectly frame scenes of delicate flowers and bamboo outside while elaborate rock gardens complement adjacent fish ponds. Representative of classic Chinese garden design, no distinction is made between the natural or the man-made and the amazing use of space means visitors don't feel crowded, despite the small size. A must-see in Suzhou. Jiangsu guide | Suzhou guide | Suzhou attractions Suzhou flights (Shanghai) | Suzhou hotels Suzhou tours & activities | Suzhou on the China Travel Blog more >>

The newly reconstructed Suzhou Museum (Sūzhōu Bówùguǎn, 蘇州博物館) houses over 30,000 Chinese relics. Renowned collections include Ming and Qing Dynasty paintings and calligraphy, jade, textiles, as well as ancient Chinese craftwork and silk. Originally founded in 1960, the museum was redesigned in 2006 by world-famous architect I.M. Pei. The beautiful new complex includes three extensive exhibition halls and a very nice museum shop. Jiangsu guide | Suzhou guide | Suzhou attractions Suzhou flights (Shanghai) | Suzhou hotels Suzhou tours & activities | Suzhou on the China Travel Blog more >>

Situated in the west of Suzhou, Tiger Hill (Hǔ Qiū, 虎丘) marks the burial ground of He Lu, the father of Suzhou. Atop the hill stands the Tiger Hill Pagoda (Hǔ Qiū Tǎ, 虎丘塔), which the Suzhounese love to compare to the Tower of Pisa. The 1000-year-old pagoda began tilting 400 years ago—a good while after the Pisan Tower and arguably less impressively. The Tiger Hill grounds cover an area of about 14,000 sq m (approx. 3 acres) in total and is home to several historic buildings and landmarks. The burial site of He Lu, entombed here by his son in 476 BC, Verdant Mountain Villa and Lu Yu Well are all accessible and well maintained. Jiangsu guide | Suzhou guide | Suzhou attractions Suzhou flights (Shanghai) | Suzhou hotels Suzhou tours & activities | Suzhou on the China Travel Blog more >>

Named for the collection of rocks resembling lions, the Lion Grove Garden (Shī Zǐ Lín Yuán, 狮子林园) was built in 1342 during the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) by a group of Zen Buddhists. For centuries, the garden has welcomed and inspired local writers, poets, and monks. Today, visitors try to lose themselves in the limestone labyrinth, lined with stone lions in different poses. The grounds contain over 20 buildings of various styles built over the centuries. Beautifully carved calligraphy can be found on the grove's large collection of steles and rocks. Jiangsu guide | Suzhou guide | Suzhou attractions Suzhou flights (Shanghai) | Suzhou hotels Suzhou tours & activities | Suzhou on the China Travel Blog more >>

Don't be fooled by the name; this is the largest of all the classical gardens in Suzhou at more than 50,000 sq m (12.5 acres), and arguably the most impressive. Like many of the other gardens in the city, the Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhuōzhèng Yuán, 拙政园) is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A private residence during the Tang Dynasty, real development of the garden did not begin until the early 1500s when persecuted poet and one-time Imperial Envoy Wang Xiancheng retired there (lending the garden its name; it's sometimes even referred to as "The Unsuccessful Politician's Garden") and spent 16 years developing the grounds with his friend, the artist Wen Zhenming. The garden was later immortalised in Cao Xueqin's Dream of the Red Chamber, also translated as Dream of Red Mansions, which is considered one of the four great Chinese classic novels. Cao li... more >>

Originally built during the Ming Dynasty, Lingering Garden (Liú Yuán, 留园) is a 3 hectare (7 acre) park located 3 km (2 mi) outside of the Suzhou city center. Designed by Zhou Shicheng, a local stone master, Lingering Garden is one of the most historic parks in China, officially named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. In addition to numerous pavilions and towers, the garden features a number of rockeries and small lakes, and the tranquil setting of the gardens has been an inpiration to budding and accomplished artists alike for centuries. Jiangsu guide | Suzhou guide | Suzhou attractions Suzhou flights (Shanghai) | Suzhou hotels Suzhou tours & activities | Suzhou on the China Travel Blog more >>

For over 80 years, the Suzhou No. 1 Silk Factory (Sūzhōu Dì Yī Sīchǎng Yǒuxiàn Gōngsī, 苏州第一丝厂有限公司) has been a leader in local silk production. A complete silk manufacturing facility, the No. 1 Silk Factory handles every facet of production from raising silkworms and cocoon boiling to reeling and packing. Visits to the silk factory include a tour of the facility, a lecture about silk production, a workshop on making silk goods and a visit to the factory's showroom. Jiangsu guide | Suzhou guide | Suzhou attractions Suzhou flights (Shanghai) | Suzhou hotels Suzhou tours & activities | Suzhou on the China Travel Blog more >>

Originally built under the Wu Kingdom during the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC-476 BC), Pan Gate, or Pan Men (Pán Mén, 盘门), which straddles the southwest corner of the canal that encircles Suzhou, is a well-preserved relic of great historical significance. Serving as both a land and water barrier, this stretch of early city wall was initially a bulwark against attack. It's a groundbreaking piece of architecture, as the double-water gateway was a landmark of engineering in its time. It was originally named the "Coiled Dragon Gate" because of the eponymous dragon mounted above it to ward off enemies. In 1986, to commemorate the 2,500-year-anniversary of the establishment of Suzhou, the gate's tower was reconstructed and now displays an array of ancient weapons. The view from atop the gate is genuinely special, with the nearby W... more >>

For an authentic taste of city life in old Suzhou, a stroll down Pingjiang Lu's (Píngjiāng Lù, 平江路) lanes is a great way to get acquainted with the local vibe. Quiet, leafy and slow-paced, the street is lined with old Chinese houses as well as restaurants and teahouses serving traditional food and drink, upscale cafés catering to the historical chic crowd, as well as a few hostels. In addition, the Pingtang Museum and Kunqu Opera Museum and School are along the road. Walking along the street, you'll see boatmen (and women) guiding punt-style boats down the canal that runs alongside it. As they pass, you can hear them singing traditional Chinese songs to their passengers. If you're lucky, you might be in for a special treat, as the Opera Society occasionally performs by the canal in full operatic regalia, surprising the locals and tourists alike. Jiang... more >>