Address: Jiashan, Jiaxingi, Zhejiang, 215211 China

Step into the picturesque past with cobbled streets, ancient buildings and rustic stone bridges at the Xitang (西塘) Water Town. A morning walk here gives you a glimpse of the quietly quaint small town life of local Suzhou residents.

Look out for the surreal sight of rowing boats bobbing on the winding river canals lined with lanterns. Movie lovers might find this scene quite familiar—Tom Cruise (as Ethan Hunt) was filmed racing down the cobbled streets of Xitang old town in Mission: Impossible III.

Next, move inwards to explore many of the old lanes in Xitang—there are 122 in total. The most famous of them all is the 68-metre long Shipi Lane. This passageway’s widest part stretches to 110cm while its narrowest part measures only 80 cm. Known as “One thread of Sky,” it is claimed that visitors standing in the lane can only see a sliver of the sky. Test this out and let us know how if it is true!

Get directions to Xitang Water Town

Address: Kunshan, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215216 China

Switch up your tempo in the afternoon by going on an idyllic gondola ride at Zhouzhuang (周庄) Water Village while admiring the beautifully preserved houses lining the waterways. More than half of the structures here were built in the Ming and Qing dynasties, dating back to between 1368 and 1911.

Surrounded and parted by lakes and rivers, the town is connected by 14 stone bridges. Disembark from your boat ride near the Twin Bridges of Shide Bridge and Yong’an Bridge and snap a selfie here—these beloved bridges are symbols of this quiet town. Shide Bridge in the East-West direction has a curving arch, while Yong’an Bridge facing the North-South sports a straight bridge beam. From certain angles, the interlocking bridges look like an ancient Chinese key.

Beyond the bridges, explore the town to admire its architecture and do some shopping. Here, you can easily find meaningful souvenirs to bring home.

In Cultural Street, pick up some bamboo baskets after watching elderly craftsmen and women deftly weaving bamboos into various useful objects. Or buy a pair of lovingly crafted Tiger head shoes for your little ones back home. These traditional shoes are thought to bring good luck to children.

Get directions to ZhouZhuang Water Town from Xitang Water Town

Address: Wujiang, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215217 China

Earning the title of “The Oriental Venice,” Tongli (同里) is one of China’s best-preserved water towns with over 1,000 years of history.

Stroll in the soothing surrounds of Tuisi Garden—declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 2001. The garden boasts a collection of pavilions, bridges and terraces, built in a classic architectural style that is simple, elegant, clean and calming. Then make your way to the Jiayan Hall, a residential house mimicking the architectural style of the Ming Dynasty. Explore the main house and its courtyards to experience how people lived over a century ago.

Lastly, visit the famous Three Bridges in Tongli—Taiping Bridge, Jili Bridge and Changqing Bridge. These trio of bridges are unusual as they are arranged in a triangle that converges three rivers, connecting the different parts of the town.

Get directions to Tongli Town from ZhouZhuang Water Town

Songhelou Restaurant (苏州松鹤楼)

Address: 72 Taijian Long, Suzhou Shi, Jiangsu Sheng, 215168, China
Telephone: +86 512 6770 0688
Opening hours: 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 10pm daily

Feast on authentic Suzhou dishes at the Songhelou Restaurant, an almost 200-year old establishment that dates back to 1737. Order the recommended dishes on the menu, such as freshwater fish and shrimps, sweet and sour mandarin fish, braised eel and fried snails with shrimps. According to legend, Qing Dynasty Emperor Qianlong loved the sweet and sour mandarin fish so much that he requested for the dish each time he visited Suzhou.

Get directions to Songhelou Restaurant from Tongli Town

Address: Huqiu Square, Gusu, Suzhou, 215002, China

On your second morning, hike to Tiger Hill (虎丘)—one of Suzhou’s oldest nature-rich areas. Also known as the Surging Sea Hill, this scenic site is home to an ancient pagoda, exquisite Bonsai garden, and numerous cultural relics.

Explore the tombs of ancient kings and centuries-old temples at Tiger Hill. Do not miss the Tiger Hill Pagoda, an octagonal structure affectionately nicknamed the “Leaning Tower of China.” This Suzhou landmark started tilting 400 years ago and features an ornately carved facade on each of its seven floors.

Next, turn your attention to Wanjing Villa. This overflowing garden of potted landscapes and bonsai-style shrubs is a delight to green-thumbed holidaymakers. Marvel at how miniature replicas of full-scale gardens are recreated using bonsai plants, rocks, and mini water features.

Travel Tip: Spring and fall are the best times to visit, as the garden would be in full bloom during these seasons.

Get directions to Tiger Hill

Address: 178 DongbeiGusu Qu, Suzhou Shi, 215002, China

By now, you are probably aware that picturesque Suzhou is filled with luscious gardens. If you only have time to visit one, however, make it the Humble Administrator’s Garden (拙政园).

There is nothing austere about this sprawling (52,000 square metre) classically landscaped garden, which traces its origins all the way back to the Ming Dynasty in 1513. Considered the mother of Chinese gardens, this expansive slice of green paradise is divided into three sections—Eastern, Central and Western.

First, feast your eyes on dense bamboo and pine forests, winding streams and verdant splashes of nature. Then explore the garden’s quaint pavilions, elegant parlours and decorated courtyards. At the Western cluster, look out for resplendently-coloured Mandarin Ducks in action, swimming in scenic ponds filled with lotus.  

Travel Tip: Spring and the beginning of summer are the best times to visit, with the gardens in all their blooming glory.

Get directions to Humble Administrator’s Garden from Tiger Hill

Yaba Shengjian (哑巴生煎)

Address: No.12 Wenjiaan, Lindun Road, Suzhou, 215002, China
Telephone: +86 512 6720 8077
Opening hours: 5:30am to 7:30pm (Open daily except for the first seven days of the Lunar New Year)

Be greeted with clouds of steam rushing from the kitchen at the Yaba Shengjian—a whimsically named restaurant whose name means a “mute person’s fried buns.” This 60-year-old restaurant serves delicious mouth-watering handmade pan-fried dumplings that many locals swear by.

Stuffed with juicy pork, the dumplings burst into a juicy and savoury symphony of flavours in your mouth, and are best eaten with the region’s characteristic chilli oil and soy sauce.

Get directions to the Yaba Shengjian from the Humble Administrator’s Garden

Lingering Garden (留园)
Address: 338 Liuyuan Rd, Gusu Qu, Suzhou Shi, Jiangsu Sheng, 215168, China

Lion Grove Garden (狮子林园)
Address: 23 Yuanlin Rd, Gusu Qu, Suzhou Shi, Jiangsu Sheng, 215002, China

Canglang Pavilion (沧浪亭)
Address: 3 Canglangting St, Suzhou Shi, Jiangsu Sheng, 215168, China

Pan Gate Scenic Area (盘门景区)
Address: 1 East Street, Canglang District, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province,  215168, China

Still game for more garden visits? With 69 preserved gardens in Suzhou city, you will certainly not run out of green sanctuaries to soothe your traveller’s soul.  Here are three other gardens which you should include in your itinerary.

Begin with a morning walk at the Lingering Garden, featuring the Qing Dynasty’s finest skill in garden landscaping. Admire the striking designs of its built structures, stroll along its tidy corridors, and look out for its strategically planted artificial hills and soothing water features.

Get directions to the Lingering Garden

Follow that with a visit to the Lion Grove Garden—a popular park famed for its elaborate rock formations. The place is so named as a number of the rock formations resemble the shape of a lion.

Get directions to Lion Grove Garden from Lingering Garden

If you still have some time in the morning, visit the oldest garden in Suzhou—Canglang Pavilion. Resting by the side of a lake while facing a small mountain to its south, this classical garden is small, peaceful and ideal for serene saunters.

Get directions to Canglang Pavilion from Lion Grove Garden

End your morning garden crawl at the nearby Pan Gate Scenic Area. This Suzhou landmark is estimated to be over 2,500 years old. Heritage buffs would delight in the ancient artefacts and structures present here—the historic Ruiguang Pagoda is the earliest surviving pagoda in Suzhou, while the Panmen Gate is the oldest city gate of Suzhou.

Enjoy complimentary access to this attraction when you book with Pan Pacific Suzhou at least two days in advance. You can literally access Panmen Gate direct from the hotel. On top of that, you will also enjoy 20% off on our best available rate, as well as a 20% discount at our restaurants.

Get directions to the Pan Gate Scenic Area from Canglong Pavilion

Suzhou Silk Museum (苏州丝绸博物馆)
Address: 2001 Renmin Rd, Ping Jiang Qu, Suzhou Shi, Jiangsu Sheng, 215001, China
Telephone: +86 0512 6753 5943
Opening Hours: 9am to 5pm (Tuesday to Sunday) Closed on Monday (except for national holidays)

Ready for an eye-opening educational experience? Suzhou is famous for its silk production, and you can see first-hand how it is made at the Suzhou Silk Museum. According to historians, the first silk pieces in Suzhou were produced around 2,800 years ago. Today, the city’s first silk factory (opened in 1926) serves as a museum showcasing its craft.

Get a glimpse of the odd and fascinating process of silk production. Here, you will experience the whole process—from silkworms munching on mulberry leaves, spinning their cocoons, to the processing of fine silk from the cocoons.

After the silk is processed, follow the expertise of “silk-stretchers” who masterfully weave them into various textile items like clothes and bedding. Feel free to bring home some embroidered silk gifts for your loved ones. If you do, you would be helping to support the museum with your purchase.

Get directions to Suzhou Silk Museum from Canglong Pavilion

Address: Ma Shan Tai Hu National Park | Lingshan Road, Binhu District, Wuxi, 214091, China

If you have just about enough time to squeeze in one more place of interest, head to the Lingshan Buddhist (灵山大佛) Scenic Spot.

Here, you will be greeted by the world’s largest bronze Buddha structure—one that soars to a towering 88 metres in height. Surrounded by lush greenery, the popular destination features a majestic Brahma palace and Buddhist related sites. While you are here, do stop to admire the view of the vast expanse of mountains that envelop this scenic spot.

Get directions to Lingshan Buddhist Scenic Spot from Suzhou Silk Museum

De Yue Lou Restaurant (得月楼)
Address: 43 Taijian Long, Tai Jian Long, Gusu Qu, Suzhou Shi, Jiangsu Sheng, 215168, China
Telephone: +86 512 6522 2230
Opening Hours: 10:30am to 2pm and  4:30pm to 9pm daily

Rest your weary feet at the beautifully decorated De Yue Lou restaurant. Its traditional setting, reminiscent of tea houses you often see in Chinese period movies, makes the perfect last night out for your Suzhou adventure.

Some must-try dishes are the De Yue spring chicken, ham sliced in honey sauce and the squirrel-shaped mandarin fish.

Ready for some pampering after your Suzhou exploration? Retreat to the St. Gregory Spa back at Pan Pacific Suzhou, which offers a holistic spa experience designed to rejuvenate your senses.

Surrounded by warm colours and calming aromas, the spa is an indulgent oasis that restores your senses through a variety of treatments by skilled professional therapists. Using a top marine-based skincare brand from France that harnesses the therapeutic benefits of seaweed, you will feel instantly renewed after your Suzhou sojourn.