One Day in Suzhou: 2 Perfect Itineraries & Travel Tips
Are you staying in Shanghai and thinking about planning a day trip to Suzhou? That’s a great idea! Spending one day in Suzhou is perfect for experiencing this picturesque and popular water town on the Yangtze Grand Canal.
Suzhou is one of my favorite day trips to escape the nonstop energy of Shanghai. It’s so close, yet so different in its simplicity and laid-back vibe. Here, the streets are filled with locals playing with their grandchildren and enjoying the sun on the canal riverside.
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Suzhou is famous for its picture-perfect classical gardens, scenic canals crossed by stone bridges, and narrow alleyways where daily life unfolds.
In this one-day Suzhou itinerary, you’ll discover the best things to do in Suzhou if you only have 24 hours.
How to Get to Suzhou from Shanghai
Suzhou is just a 30-minute train ride from Shanghai, and if you’re already arriving there, as you likely are, it would be a shame not to make a stop. You have two options to reach Suzhou from Shanghai.
High-speed train from Shanghai to Suzhou
If you’re in Shanghai, the best way to get to Suzhou is by taking the high-speed train. On trip.com, you’ll find multiple rides that you can book early in the morning, allowing you to arrive in Suzhou’s old town at a decent time and avoid the crowds of local tourists flocking in.
Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station offers the best train rides to Suzhou. You can take a taxi from your accommodation or take the subway using lines 2, 10, or 17.
The best train station to arrive at is Suzhou Railway Station, located in the Gusu district, close to Suzhou’s main sights. From Suzhou Railway Station, you can take subway line 4 and get off at Beisita, which is in the heart of the old town—a 20-minute ride.
Alternatively, you can arrive at Suzhou North Railway Station, a bit further north but still convenient. From there, you can take a taxi, and it’s just a 13-minute ride, which is manageable if you only have one day.
Shanghai Pudong Airport to Suzhou
Wuxi is the closest airport to Suzhou, but Pudong International Airport offers more international flights and frequent arrivals. This option is relevant if you land there and want to go directly to Suzhou or have a 24-hour layover in Shanghai and want to explore the water town instead of its bustling neighbor.
The best option to reach Suzhou is to book a private car. It’s not as budget-friendly as taking a bus, but considering you will stay only one day in Suzhou, it’s wise to minimize transportation time.
How Many Days Should I Stay in Suzhou (Ideally)?
Two days in Suzhou is enough time to discover the old town’s main sights and wander its alleys. However, three days are ideal for exploring more sights, such as Tiger Hill or the Pan Men scenic area.
In just one day, you can visit a couple of its most praised gardens, wander around, stop by a teahouse or a snack shop, and enjoy a boat ride on the canals to soak in the atmosphere.
Best Time to Visit Suzhou To Avoid Larger Crowds
The best time to visit Suzhou to avoid larger crowds is during the shoulder seasons, specifically in early Spring (March to April) and autumn (October to September). The weather is warm during these months, and there are fewer tourists compared to the peak summer months.
Visiting on weekdays rather than weekends can also help you avoid the local crowds. Additionally, plan your visit outside major Chinese holidays, such as the Golden Week in early October and the Chinese New Year.
By planning your visit during these times, you’ll be able to make the most of your day in Suzhou and explore as much as possible without wasting time in queues. I recommend visiting in Spring to enjoy the town and its already beautiful gardens, covered in flowers.
How to Get Around Suzhou
Walking is the best way to get around and truly soak in the atmosphere of Suzhou, especially since you’ll only be staying for one day and want to explore as much as possible.
However, if you’re short on time and some sights seem a bit far, Suzhou has a subway system with six lines, numbered 1 to 6.
Food in Suzhou: Where to Eat
Below, you’ll find some of the best restaurants in Suzhou, so you can spend more time enjoying your meal and less time searching for the perfect spot.
Yi Ran Tang: This Buddhist restaurant is a great option if you’re vegetarian or want to enjoy a well-furnished vegetarian buffet for ¥10.
Yaba Shenjiang: This is the place for delicious noodles or dumplings. Its pork-stuffed dumplings are to die for. It’s also one of the longest-standing and popular spots in town. Be sure to queue early to avoid a long wait.
What to do in Suzhou in One Day
The ideal way to spend your morning in Suzhou is by visiting one or more classical Chinese-style gardens. In town, you’ll find over 60 of them, with eight being UNESCO-protected, giving you plenty of options.
Some gardens are more impressive and, therefore, more crowded than others. You might decide to visit the Humble Administrator’s Garden, the landmark of this garden-rich town, but be prepared for queues and crowds depending on the day of the week and the time of year.
Alternatively, you can explore some of the less popular gardens, which are smaller but equally charming.
As you may notice from the map, the sights I’ve included are located on the southern and western sides of the Humble Administrator’s Garden. To make the most of your time, I suggest the following itineraries:
- Southern Side: Humble Administrator’s Garden, Couple’s Retreat Garden, Master of The Nets, Luohan Twin Pagodas, and Pingjiang Road. Plus, additional sights if you have more time.
- Western Side: Humble Administrator’s Garden, Bao’en Temple, Lingering Garden, Shantang Street, and Boat ride. Plus, additional sights if you have more time
1. Humble Administrator’s Garden
I only had two days when I visited Suzhou, but I knew I couldn’t miss the Humble Administrator’s Garden, a UNESCO-protected Heritage Site.
It’s a must-see if you’re in Suzhou, but be aware that the crowds and lines depend on when you visit, and they may turn your experience into one as peaceful as a noisy street market. While it’s the largest and most famous garden, other less crowded gardens might offer a more calming visit.
To truly appreciate its beauty, plan your visit early in the morning on weekdays, avoiding peak seasons and national holidays. This way, you can experience the garden as it should be: tranquil, silent, and with ample space to absorb the surroundings.
The Humble Administrator’s Garden is a masterpiece of Chinese garden design. It’s divided into three main sections: the eastern, central, and western parts, each with unique features.
The central section is the heart of the garden, featuring a large pond surrounded by greenery and rock formations. Meandering pathways lead you through bamboo groves and elegant pavilions painted in deep red.
If you’ve never been to a classic Chinese garden, you’ll be moved by the beauty that nature provides. It feels like stepping into a painting, where a pavilion with red carvings reflects in the waters of a lotus pond, and you become the figure admiring the scene from a cobbled bridge.
If you’re looking for another garden nearby, the Lion Grove Garden is on the other side of the road.
2. Couple’s Garden
The Couple’s Retreat Garden is located near the east leg of the Waicheng River and is surrounded by canals. It is further out from the center, making it off most tourist routes.
This means you’ll (hopefully) be able to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere without hordes of visitors talking loudly or competing for photos next to you. The location and layout of the garden are truly unique.
Everything is in pairs, symbolizing the theme of love. The garden is divided into two sections, separated by an elegant open pavilion at the center.
Within the garden, you’ll find a teahouse, a noodle restaurant, and all the classic garden architectural features that make Suzhou’s gardens so enchanting.
3. Luohan Twin Pagodas
Nestled within a tiny garden, you’ll find two nearly identical pagodas, each standing 30 meters tall, with one slightly shorter than the other—a rare find in China.
It’s uncommon to see a pair of pagodas side by side, especially in what was once a Buddhist site. Although you can’t enter the pagodas, you can stroll through the garden and enjoy the pink magnolias in bloom if you’re visiting during Spring.
4. Master of the Nets Garden
Like the Humble Administrator and the Couple’s Retreat Gardens, the Master of the Nets is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This garden is admired for its creative use of limited space, achieving an effortless mix of art, nature, and architecture.
Though it’s relatively small—about one-sixth the size of the Humble Administrator’s Garden—the way its elements are arranged makes it feel much larger and full of surprises.
Winding paths lead you past ponds where koi fish swim lazily. Small bridges cross the water, and pavilions offer spots to sit and enjoy views of rocks and trees. Each corner gives you a new opportunity to take fantastic pictures that capture the essence of Suzhou.
5. Bao’en Temple
Baoen Temple is the city’s oldest Buddhist temple. I highly recommend visiting one in every town in China.
While the temple itself is a gem, offering the tranquility you’d expect from a peaceful Buddhist setting (unlike those in Shanghai), the spotlight is undeniably stolen by the 76-meter-tall pagoda, a stunning relic from the Song dynasty.
The temple grounds perfectly embody Suzhou’s garden style, surrounded by trees, a classical garden, a serene lake, and rockeries that fit in with the water town’s enchanting vibe.
And here’s a fun local legend: if you walk around the temple complex three times in a clockwise direction, you’ll be blessed with good luck. So make sure to give it a try!
6. Lingering garden
The Lingering Garden is one of China’s Top Four Classic Gardens, along with the Summer Palace, the Chengde Mountain Resort, and the Humble Administrator’s Garden.
The clever design makes it unique; despite its modest size, the architectural elements are perfectly positioned to fit naturally with the surrounding landscape.
The garden is also designed with the human perspective in mind. A stunning scene unfolds as you walk through the narrow, dim corridor at the entrance, wondering if you’re in the right place. At every step and turn, you’ll encounter a new, picturesque view.
The garden is divided into four distinct sections. The eastern side is full of pavilions and hallways framed by open corridors. The central area feels like stepping into a Monet painting, featuring water, rock formations, and beautiful hanging flowers.
The western side is filled with high trees, creating a dynamic play of light and shadow. Meanwhile, the northern side has a pastoral charm and a bonsai garden.
7. Explore Pingjiang Road & Shantang Street
While I recommend simply wandering through the narrow alleyways and canal-side streets of Suzhou, there are two spots you should visit.
Pingjiang Road, or Pingjianglu, is located on the city’s eastern side, just south of the Humble Administrator’s Garden, and runs alongside a canal.
Here, you’ll discover a variety of elegant teahouses and cafes. It’s a wonderful place to stroll, people-watch, and observe the daily life unfolding on the side streets branching off the main road.
Shantang Street, or Shantangjie, is on the northwest side of Suzhou and is one of the oldest canal-side streets, dating back to the Tang dynasty when people used the canal to travel to Tiger Hill.
Here, you can do the same as the old residents and take a boat ride to discover the canals from another perspective. You can purchase tickets directly on the river banks on this street.
From the tiny boat, you’ll enjoy this view: wooden and stone houses that seem to rise directly from the water, while elderly locals spend time with their grandchildren along the canal banks as if nothing is more important in life.
If you don’t want to take a boat ride, you can still wander around, sampling the many Chinese snacks in the various shops and soaking in the lively atmosphere.
Trips from Suzhou
If you plan on visiting Suzhou, you will likely land in Shanghai and spend a few days there before visiting Suzhou.
But where to go after Suzhou? Hangzhou is just 2 hours away, or even less if you catch the right train. Similarly, you can reach Nanjing in about the same amount of time.
This is the end! This blog post was all about how to spend 24 hours in Suzhou while providing you with helpful travel tips to plan your stay, two itinerary options, and the best sights to discover. Enjoy Suzhou!
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