Explore Old Town Suzhou shopping streets and canals
The oldest part of Suzhou is what China was like before cars and motorbikes. The 14.2-square-kilometer Old Town is ideal for wandering, either on foot, by bike or via a lazy gondola ride. Steep-sided bridges arch over 35 kilometers of 1100-year-old canals and picturesque streets meander through the whitewashed walls and black roofs of the Old Town.
Climb Tiger Hill
Tiger Hill is one of the oldest parts of Suzhou and gets its name from a legend. In 496, after King Wu buried his father on top of the hill, a white tiger appeared to guard the tomb. Set just a couple of miles from the center of Suzhou, Tiger Hill is like a whole other world. Enter through a dramatic other gate and climb the steps to Yunyuan Temple. Its imposing Leaning Pagoda was built 1,000 years ago between 959 and 961 (beating the Leaning Tower of Pisa by around 150 years). Below, the mysterious, grotto-like Sword Pool is said to harbor King He Lu’s 3000 swords in its watery depths.
Take a day trip to Tongli Water Town
Southeast of Suzhou lies perhaps one of China's most Instagrammed attractions: the 1100-year-old Tongli water town. Once an active fishing village — the lakes surrounding Suzhou are fertile grounds for perch, shrimp and hairy crab — since 1994 the town has existed as a sort of historic amusement park, where large groups of tourists cycle through a beautiful meditation garden, line up for boat rides along tree-lined canals and enjoy traditional performances while munching on barbecued pork parts.
Browse the Suzhou Museum
The modern Suzhou Museum is home to a dazzling array of artifacts from Suzhou’s millennia of settlement. The museum owns more than 15,000 objects. All aspects of Suzhou culture are represented here. You'll see everything from truly ancient unearthed relics to classic Chinese arts (paintings, calligraphy, porcelain, carved gems). You can also enter recreations of ancient Chinese homes. Visit the museum in conjunction with a trip to the Humble Administrator's Garden — the two are next door neighbors and a visit to this crowded part of town is best conquered in one go.
See how silk is made
Silk has a long history in Suzhou. Production of the famed fabric here began around 2800 years ago. The first silk factory was opened in 1926 and today serves as a museum to the craft — offers an inside glimpse at the strange, fascinating process of silk-making.
Experience Suzhou's subtle cuisine
Suzhou cuisine is milder, softer, and sweeter than Shanghai dishes, even though the cities are neighbors. Most dishes are mainly protein (meat or seafood/fish) or vegetables, with a minimum of rice or noodles. Plain white rice isn’t generally served unless you request it; rice dishes are usually mixed with pork and vegetables, or just veggies, especially mushrooms. Two of the best spots to enjoy a typical Suzhou-style meal include Laochangmen, near Shantang Street, and Xintianlunzhile in downtown Suzhou.