Humble Administrator's Garden
The largest and most celebrated classical garden — go early with our guide to beat the crowds.
Venice of the East · 人间天堂
Suzhou 苏州
UNESCO-listed gardens, silk workshops and canal lanes just 30 minutes from Shanghai.
"Above there is heaven, below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou." For more than a thousand years scholars and officials retired here to build gardens — tiny, perfect worlds of rock, water and framed views.
Today nine of those gardens are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Between them run canals lined with whitewashed houses, teahouses where pingtan storytellers still perform, and workshops where artists embroider silk with threads split into sixteen strands.
Getting there
High-speed trains run from Shanghai Hongqiao to Suzhou every few minutes (about 25–30 minutes). Suzhou also connects directly to Hangzhou and Nanjing, making it the natural middle stop of a Jiangnan trip.
Don't miss
Top experiences in Suzhou
Pingjiang Road canal walk
An 800-year-old canal street of bridges, teahouses and small craft shops.
Silk & Suzhou embroidery
Watch double-sided embroidery being made and learn how silk is spun from cocoon to thread.
Tours
Private tours including Suzhou
Best value
7 days
✈ Arrive in Shanghai
Hu Shang Jiangnan: Shanghai & the Water Towns
Dreamy Jiangnan meets the Magic City: Suzhou gardens, the Three Kingdoms on Taihu Lake, a lantern-lit night in Puyuan, West Lake tea and Shanghai from the 58th floor — with five free experiences along the way.
from US$299 pp
5 days
✈ Arrive in Shanghai
Jiangnan Water Towns Slow Journey
For travellers who want the China of ink paintings: overnight in a canal town, wander misty bridges at dawn and taste the food of the rice-and-fish country.
from US$1,090 pp
Halal meals
7 days
✈ Arrive in Shanghai
Muslim-Friendly Shanghai, Suzhou & Hangzhou
The classic Jiangnan route, planned around halal restaurants, prayer times and family pacing — with visits to historic mosques along the way.
from US$1,390 pp
Plan ahead
Useful guides
Taking the Bullet Train Between Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou & Nanjing
Journey times, stations, booking with a passport and what to expect on board China's high-speed trains.
The Perfect Shanghai, Suzhou & Hangzhou Itinerary (5–7 Days)
How many days you need, which order to go in and where to fit a water town — a route planned by locals.
Ready to see Suzhou?
Tell us your dates and interests. A Shanghai-based trip designer will send you a free, tailor-made itinerary within 24 hours.