Why Suzhou Is a Captivating City to Experience

With its numerous canals, bridges and gardens, it wouldn’t be surprising that Suzhou is sometimes referred to as the 'Venice of China'. Here, you would have the opportunity to encounter the many engrossing sights and landscapes that have made it an outstanding tourist destination. In the past, this city was a retreat for artists and writers, whereas today, it is a rapidly developing metropolis with roots in its rich history and heritage. Described below are some of the main highlights of Suzhou.

Shangtang Street

Undoubtedly, the canals of Suzhou would be counted amongst its foremost attractions and a definite highlight would be the well-known Shangtang Street. Basically, this street which is situated near the city’s downtown locality would consist of a canal lined by narrow cobbled lanes on either side. Shangtang Street would be noted for its entertainment and nightlife options as it features numerous lounges, bars and clubs. This street would be particularly attractive when the city lights are reflected on the canal’s waters in the evenings.

The boat rides

One of the enthralling experiences that you could enjoy during your visit to Suzhou would be taking a boat ride on the city’s canals. Amongst the popular places for such an activity would be Pingjiang Road which is another well-known locality in the city. You would have the opportunity to commence your boat ride at both the northern and southern ends of this waterway. You would notice a collection of interesting shops located bordering each side of the canal which are worth visiting as well.

Suzhou Museum

Culture and history lovers visiting this city would be enthralled by the insightful Suzhou Museum. This sizable attraction would be filled with thousands of engrossing artefacts relating to the culture and history of China, including examples of calligraphy and ancient craftwork. In fact, some of these artefacts would be counted among China’s oldest, representing the Song, Qing and Ming dynasties. You would also have the opportunity to join a useful guided tour of this museum, for which you would be obliged to pay a fee.

Humble Administrator’s Garden

The city would be known for its splendid gardens and undoubtedly one of the highlights would be the well-known Humble Administrator’s Garden which happens to be its biggest classical garden. Of the three sections of this garden, the eastern section would feature a number of buildings surrounding a lawn with a pond; meanwhile, the central section would present a pond and three islets whilst the smaller western part would contain rock features and other interesting elements. Serviced apartments in Suzhou to consider staying at and from which you could easily visit this garden would be Somerset Baitang Suzhou.

Tiger Hill

Another noteworthy sightseeing attraction in Suzhou is Tiger Hill which is regarded as one of the city’s cultural symbols. This attraction was considered to be a noteworthy site during several Chinese dynasties, with royalty and the literati often visiting this appealing location. Of the various features of Tiger Hill the most attractive would probably be the Tiger Hill Pagoda, which happens to be a tower that leans. When here, you could also admire the surrounding scenery and gain an insight into the culture of the Spring and Autumn Period.

Hanshan Temple

Your adventures in Suzhou wouldn’t be complete without visiting the engrossing Hanshan Temple which is a Buddhist place of worship situated in proximity to the city’s Old Town. This temple has been named in honour of a well-known monk and poet. You would find several attractions in the compound of this sacred site, including a five-storey pagoda and the Grand Prayer Hall. Numerous tourists as well as locals arrive at this temple on New Year’s Eve to experience the ringing of its bells which would make for a unique holiday experience too.