Suzhou Things to Do

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This 76-metre high, octagonal pagoda ((known as North Temple Pagoda) is located near the train station in the north of the city. The pagoda was once eleven stories tall, yet was damaged and reduced to nine stories. Although the present structure dates to the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), the historical site of construction for the pagodas dates back 1,700 years. A Buddhist pagoda built during the reign of Sun Quan in the 3rd century originally stood at the site, along with another pagoda built during the Liang Dynasty (502-557). The current design of the pagoda structure was made between the years 1131 and 1162, during the Song Dynasty and is said to be the tallest south of the Yangzi River.

Admission: Y25.

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Just some of the views from the top of the 76-metre high Beisi Pagoda (also known as North Temple Pagoda). The weather wasn't the best when I visited so the views were a bit misty and soggy but on a clear day they must be pretty good.

Admission: Y25.

The Suzhou area is well known for its silk, and this place is a good place to find out more about it, including seeing people using more traditional style looms.

There is a store there with a big selection of clothing and so on. Worth a look if time permits.

When I was in Suzhou, we went to this place where they sold plenty of silk items (all of them 100% silk).

The popular items are the :-
Silk Quilt comforter
Quilt cover
Scarfs

I bought a silk comforter for a queen size bed for RMB 450. This place has a price guarantee and a quality guarantee. No bargaining here, all fixed price.

The silk quality is pretty good and as it's supposed to be good for health, (their explanation is scientifically logical, you should check it out) so I bought a quilt comforter, 4 quilt pillows (RMB 240 each) and some silk neck scarves.

Be careful of those that shops at shopping areas that sell clothes (cheong sam, etc) that resemble silk. They are probably nylon if the price is cheap. A genuine 100% silk cheong sam will cost about RMB 200-300 or more.

in lots travel book. this is the must see place . but i personally don't think so. its just a very big garden and nothing special. plus the entrance fee is too expensive . its RMB70 ( around euro7)

but i should say the toilets are very good :) very clean and very humanized . it also with furniture - traditional Chinese table and chair ..

i did not bring the camera , so no pics here ... but i will try to steal some from my uncle's page. hahaha

If you visit Suzhou, make sure you do not miss to trek to their restaurants/clubs beside the canals. Suzhou is littered with winding canals interconnected by small but sturdy bridges. We got lost before finally arriving at this romantic spot. You can choose a long boat to have a romantic dinner or spot any suitable restaurants. Some do not have any English menus nor an English translator. The sweet and sour monk truly melts in your mouth. I've tasted the same dish in Shangrila hotel, Shanghai but it did not taste the same. The Suzhou variety was far superior in taste.

If you are the squemish kind who abhors dining near waterways, I suggest you just do a Tom Cruise and savor the ambiance. At night, the restaurants and boats are filled with red lanterns that lend a happy feeling.

If you are short of time, visit at least these two best and representative gardens:
1) Humble Adminitrator's Garden (Zhuozheng)
2) Garden of Master of Nets (Wangshi)

The Chinese word for garden is yuan. Same sound as Chinese money but different Chinese character.

Most gardens have their own English guide tours included in the admission ticket. So there is no need to get the many ready-to-hire guides waiting at the entrance of each garden.

Tour guides must wear the official tour guide tags. There are a few fakes.

After awhile you will be loaded with information of the different shapes of window, the angle of vision, the type of column support.

So once you have enough of information to last a lifetime, just walk away from your tour guide recitations and contemplate the quietness and tranquility of the gardens, enjoying yourself.

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The Humble Administrator’s Garden (Zhuozheng Yuan) is considered the greatest of all southern Chinese gardens. During the reign of Emperor Zhengde (1506-1521), the site was occupied by Dahong Temple. At that time, a censor named Wang Xianchen appropriated the temple and converted it into a private villa, but the Wang family could not maintain the garden and sold it a few years later. In the coming centuries the garden repeatedly changed hands and was reconstructed many times, so the garden we see today is far removed from the one enjoyed by Wang Xianchen.