How to explore Suzhou to the fullest – Tour through the charming environs of the Venice of China
Suzhou boasts of a multitude of wonders, be it ancient houses, stone arch bridges that span the breadth and scope of the eye-catching canals that grace this part of China to the sublime classical gardens that are an absolute ‘must.’ Having been featured as the centre of silk production ever since the Song Dynasty, the city presents the best of both worlds and to the first-timer, it is a pleasing way to understand Chinese culture and customs.
When to go
A humid subtropical climate envelops Suzhou which will pleasantly inform you that you can schedule a holiday at any time of the year. However, there remain two seasons which are arguable, the best for an outing and plenty of exploring. First up is the season of summer or the lotus season which extends from late June to mid-July. During this time, lotuses bloom and the resulting fragrance will be your constant companion as your journey through the town and its many nooks and crannies. Though, you will have to contend with crowds and hot weather spells at this time. On the flip side, autumn which occurs between mid-October to mid-November brings with it cool and pleasant temperatures to warm to with hues of yellow an ever-present sight wherever your gaze rests at. In short, appealing scenery dominates this time of year and thus, would serve as the perfect springboard for discovering all there is to Suzhou.
Getting about
Convenience underpins local transportation with buses easily reachable that connect you with the area’s most traversed and cherished tourist destinations. Generally, the buses tend to move through train stations with average prices ranging from 2 – 5 Yuan per trip. Further, the subway can be made good use of en route to calling by various points in the city but for leading attractions, it is more advisable to use the bus, walk or grab a taxi.
Where to go
Few could rival the intertwining and intersecting appearance of the canal system that is part and parcel of a trip to the Pingjiang Historic District. Complete with 7 canals that run the length of the north towards the south while another 14 stretches out across the east and west, a good way to comb these areas of the city will be to charter a boat and meander along at a pace of one’s choosing. You can observe crowds strolling by and should you be traveling during the evening or night, then the brilliance of Suzhou bathed in colorful lights & lanterns will be yours to take pleasure in. If you decide to check into one of the best hotels in Suzhou the likes of Pan Pacific Suzhou, then you will have the rare opportunity to feel as if you were riding a gondola in Venice.
Following closely on the heels of the above from a design perspective are the stunning gardens of Suzhou which number well more than 200. Labeled as the ‘kingdom of classical gardens,’ intrepid travelers will be fascinated and compelled to invest as much time delighting in these natural marvels of which 9 are designated UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites.
Showcasing every minute detail of Ming garden architecture is the Humble Administrator’s Garden or Zhouzheng Yuan which is an area that encompasses lotus ponds, bamboo groves, and windy pavilions. As the largest of its kind, Zhouzheng Yuan is open daily from 7.30 am to 5.00 pm and requires an entrance fee of 90 Yuan. Having served as the location for the film ‘Journey to the West,’ the Lion Forest Garden which is referred to as Shi Zi Lin Yuan is one of the more captivating gardens that scatter Suzhou. Bearing architectural values belonging to the Yuan Dynasty, Shi Zi Lin Yuan contains rocks brought from Lake Taihu which have been arranged in a way that depicts the head of a lion.
For a peaceful and carefree stroll, look no further than Lion Forest Garden which is open from 7.00 am to 5.00 pm and charges every entrant a fee of 40 Yuan. Uncover lovely memories of Suzhou’s close association with silk production through an array of documentation that has preserved this age-old practice that goes back more than 5,000 years. Move through numerous patterns, looms, and artifacts that highlight the times of the Ming, Song, and Qing Dynasties.
