The largest of Suzhou's gardens, the Humble Administrator¡¯s Garden is often considered to be the most impressive, but its fame draws in constant crowds, which are part of the experience. First built in 1509, this 5.2-hectare garden is clustered with water features, a museum, a teahouse, zigzagging bridges, bamboo groves and lotus ponds, along with at least 10 pavilions with poetic names such as ¡®Listening to the Sound of Rain¡¯ and ¡®Celestial Spring¡¯. Bring your passport.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
3.1 MILES
In the far northwest of town, Tiger Hill is a major drawcard for Chinese tourists, and the beacon that draws them is the leaning Cloud Rock Pagoda (ÔÆÑÒËþ,¡
Garden of the Master of the Nets
1.78 MILES
Off Shiquan Jie, this pocket-sized garden is considered one of Suzhou's best preserved. Laid out in the 12th century, it went to seed and was later¡
0.21 MILES
This stunning museum, one of only two in mainland China designed by IM Pei, is a modern interpretation of Suzhou architecture, with its confluence of¡
0.94 MILES
On the eastern side of the city, this canalside road has whitewashed local houses sitting comfortably side by side with teahouses and trendy cafes selling¡
2.7 MILES
This quiet part of Suzhou is lovely, with a section of the city wall straddling the outer moat in the southwest corner of the city. Dating from 1355, the¡
3.79 MILES
Literally meaning 'Cold Mountain Temple' and founded around AD 500, Hanshan is famous in China thanks to a Tang-dynasty (618¨C907) poem that is taught at¡
1.83 MILES
This picturesque canalside street has been in use for more than a thousand years, having been built in the Tang dynasty (around 825¨C826) to transport¡
2.17 MILES
One of the eight city gates that were first built to protect S¨±zh¨u during the Spring and Autumn Period (approximately 771¨C476 BC), the brick wall that we¡
Nearby Suzhou attractions
0.12 MILES
This informative little museum, west of the ticket office for the Humble Administrator's Garden, gives an overview of the history, evolution and aesthetic¡
0.21 MILES
This stunning museum, one of only two in mainland China designed by IM Pei, is a modern interpretation of Suzhou architecture, with its confluence of¡
0.26 MILES
Constructed in 1342 by the Buddhist monk Tianru to commemorate his master, who lived on Lion Cliff on Zhejiang¡¯s Tianmu Mountain, this garden's curiously¡
4. Suzhou Arts and Crafts Museum
0.38 MILES
Housed in a historic building, this small museum boasts an impressive range of modern handicrafts created by skilled Suzhou artists. Its nearly 1000-piece¡
0.67 MILES
The antique fans on display here demonstrate the skillful painting and embroidery of the art form. Many of the silk fans feature a cat motif; rat-catching¡
0.68 MILES
The tranquil Couple¡¯s Garden is off the main tourist route and sees slightly fewer visitors than the other gardens, and its pond, courtyards and garden¡
0.69 MILES
The oldest Buddhist temple in Suzhou, Bao'en Temple dates back 1700 years and its current reincarnation goes back to the 17th century. The temple's star¡
0.74 MILES
The Suzhou Silk Museum houses fascinating exhibitions detailing the history of Suzhou¡¯s 4000-year-old silk industry. Exhibits include a section on silk¡