Top 8 Things to do in Suzhou on a Weekend Break

#1: Try the Garden Tours

Begin your journey with what attracts visitors to this city, its unparalleled Suzhou classical gardens. Upon entering these gardens, you feel stuck in a time capsule. That is evident because they have origins dating back to 1500-1900. Currently, there are 60 amazing gardens in Suzhou. Nine of them are already recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. This makes it one of the best things to do in Suzhou. So, try exploring the natural beauty of Net Master’s Garden, Canglang Pavilion, and the Lingering Garden, all three within reach on a guided Suzhou day tour. Do not forget to bring your smartphone or video recorder to make memories at your favorite one.

#2: Examine the Chinese Cuisines

Walk along the Jinji Lake parks and coastline to search for authentic Chinese restaurants. Examples of these restaurants are:

Jinhaihua Exotic Specialty
Pulana
Mash Burger
Tairyo Teppanyaki
Chaori Wu
Deyue Building

Some restaurants have big white lanterns, while others have colorful tapestry. These are all authentic signs of Chinese culture, including the tangy aroma of spicy food. So, when you visit these places, you get a reprieve from the outside world of responsibilities. You get a chance to forget what is happening back at work or at home. And your focus is on the tastiest and spiciest Chinese cuisines with the epic Jinji Lake skyline at night. This Chinese food-tasting spree pumps up the mood if you have been feeling low because of personal or professional issues.

#3: Plan a Day Trip Around the Coastline of Jinji Lake

InterContinental Suzhou can be your favorite resort, which is in line with Jinjihu Park. It also backs the famous food street at Wangdun Road. So, if you are a big-time foodie and want to try different items at once, visit here. There is the Linli Center Food market, and restaurants offering Korean, Singaporean, and Mexican food one after another. A little way from this resort is the Wine Franchise store and the Baigong International Commerce Chamber Casino. These places can be a great way to spend a night with your partner or friends. On the other hand, you can find Yuanrong Times Square shopping center. It is very spacious and houses Chinese brands to go on a shopping spree during the day. Another one of the fun things to do in Suzhou.

#4: Visit the Suzhou Museum

You are a curious soul, wanting to collect historical tidbits about Chinese culture. Then you are reading the best section, promising a quality trip during one of the days on your weekend off. This museum is divided into two parts. One part is the modern building, which was constructed back in 2006. The other belongs to Li Zhong, a well-known hero from the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. There are handicrafts, calligraphies, eye-catching paintings, and relics belonging to the Qing and Ming dynasties. Witnessing this historical evidence of Chinese wars for thrones and titles, you do not realize how time passes. This museum does not even charge anything for the main entrance and Prince Zhong’s mansion. It is open from Tuesdays to Sundays. Spend hours here without feeling out of place and wonder how different kings ruled one after another.

#5: Go to See Kun Opera or Pingtan Shows

You are impatient to find an authentic spot to dig deeper into Chinese culture. Then these shows are your place to go. Kun opera in Suzhou is one of the oldest in the entire country. It holds up to 600 years of history, already proving to be worthy of your time. In fact, it is quite common in Suzhou city, while Pingtan relates to traditional storytelling and ballad performances. One of the famous opera shows is at Shantang Kunqu Teahouse, Shantang Street, Gusu District. Here, the host conducts opera shows daily. Surely one of the most fun things to do in Suzhou for any tourist.

#6: Explore the Beauty of Water Towns

One of the many things to do in Suzhou is to visit Zhouzhuang. It surrounds Suzhou’s boundary as an excellent symbol of the No. 1 Water Town of China. Hire a boat down the canal and take a look at the Qing dynasty’s architecture coming alive. Even many renowned Chinese celebrities visit the houses on either side of the canal. A day tour for around $110-120 helps you discover townhouses, bridges, and pagodas like a local.

#7: Climb Over the Famous Tiger Hill

At the Gusu district, Tiger Hill is a gem that tourists like you love to discover. The origin of this tourist attraction brings back folklore that started in 496 AD. Then, you can also find time to pay regards at Yunyan Temple, which was built 1,000 years ago. Its build matches the Leaning Tower of Pisa and was built around 150 years before it. This hill also harbors Suzhou’s largest bonsai garden that is about 200 years old. Dwarf trees, rocky formations, and gardeners trimming plants feel like a traditional Chinese day out.

#8: Try one of the Silk Factory Tours

Suzhou is a renowned “hometown of silk” for Chinese residents, deserving a tour of the silk factory opened in 1926. Today it serves as a museum to bring interest back to the traditional background of Suzhou. Visitors like you get to know how silk is woven and produced by feeding larvae or silkworms. There are mainly two silk categories: for bed and for fabric. The silk weavers also sell great designs and apparel at the museum in case you want to purchase any.

Conclusion

Visitors feel their heart is won by the things to do in Suzhou because of its historically driven culture. The opportunities to discover folklore and how locals have preserved artifacts for hundreds of years is something unbelievable. It is sufficient to say your weekends off will never be the same once you visit Suzhou, the magnificent silk city.