Suzhou Travel Guide: Your Complete Guide to the Venice of the East

Suzhou: A City of Charm and Modernity

Suzhou is a special city that perfectly blends the gentle charm of a Jiangnan water town with the vitality of a modern metropolis.

I’ve traveled to Suzhou three times, and I also worked in Zhangjiagang (a city under Suzhou's jurisdiction) for three months.

First Visit to Suzhou

My first trip to Suzhou was in May 2013. I was in Shanghai for the weekend and decided to visit Suzhou with my colleagues. However, we had a bad experience when we got off at Suzhou Railway Station. Someone approached us, offering a “free” tour to several attractions and selling discounted tickets for 50 yuan. We were naïve and believed them. We planned to visit the Humble Administrator's Garden, but instead, we were taken to a fake garden. We ended up wasting both time and money.

Suzhou is famous for its gardens, but first-time visitors often have difficulty distinguishing the genuine ones from the tourist traps. We were supposed to visit the Humble Administrator's Garden, but we were scammed out of the entrance fee. From that experience, I learned that it’s important for first-time visitors to do some research and differentiate between legitimate attractions and scams.

Later, my colleagues and I visited Pingjiang Road and the Suzhou Museum, both of which were worth seeing.

Couchsurfing in Suzhou

My second trip to Suzhou was in November 2013 for a Couchsurfing gathering. Back then, Couchsurfing was still a relatively new concept in China, though it was already quite popular in the West. I was part of this trend and met a group of like-minded friends at the gathering. As Confucius said, “Is it not delightful to have friends coming from afar?”

Living in Kunshan

The third time I visited Suzhou was this year, when I went to my cousin’s house in Kunshan, a city near Suzhou. Kunshan is located very close to Shanghai, and many people who work in Shanghai buy houses there, as housing prices are much lower than in Shanghai. Living in Kunshan allows them to enjoy the convenience of being near both cities.

Working in Zhangjiagang

During the six months I worked in Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, I was a marketing e-commerce specialist at a laser marking equipment company. My job involved managing the company’s e-commerce platform. I only worked there for three months because I couldn’t stand sitting in the office every day and wanted to pursue my own project. Eventually, I moved to Yixing, Wuxi, to start an e-commerce business selling Zisha teapots.

Suzhou’s Economic Growth and Industrial Development

Suzhou is unique in many ways. Because of its proximity to Shanghai, it was one of the first cities to benefit from Shanghai's manufacturing relocation. Many manufacturing companies set up shop in Suzhou Industrial Park, helping drive the city’s rapid economic growth. This growth created the “Southern Jiangsu Model,” which combined industrial development with modern service sectors.

Suzhou's proximity to Shanghai also means that many foreign companies have their headquarters in Shanghai but production bases in Suzhou. This has allowed many factories in Suzhou to operate on a two-day weekend schedule, which isn’t common in other cities. This geographical advantage has helped Suzhou maintain a crucial position in the Yangtze River Delta integration process.

Today, Suzhou still retains the charm of classical gardens and flowing water while fostering a thriving high-tech industry and modern services. The modern skyline around Jinji Lake now complements the ancient white-walled, black-tiled houses that dot the city.

Suzhou’s Transportation and Challenges

Unlike Nanjing, Suzhou isn't a provincial capital, so its transportation infrastructure isn't as developed. However, Suzhou is conveniently located near Shanghai, which makes traveling to and from the city easy.

Suzhou is a typical city on a plain, which doesn’t lend itself to the preservation of ancient historical sites. In ancient times, plain cities like Suzhou weren’t suitable for defense and often changed hands quickly. This is why Suzhou never became a political center.

Suzhou’s Silk Industry

Suzhou is famous for its silk industry. The region’s water towns are perfect for silk cultivation, and modern industrial development in the area has helped establish Suzhou as a major silk producer. The silk textile industry laid the foundation for Suzhou's industrial and commercial prosperity.

What to Do in Suzhou

If you’re visiting Suzhou, I recommend exploring the Jiangnan gardens. But be careful to avoid scams—do your research beforehand. You can buy silk souvenirs, but be sure to avoid touristy areas where prices are inflated and counterfeit products are sold. Shopping in established shops or silk markets in the city center ensures better quality.

Suzhou's natural landscapes are relatively limited, so if you’re seeking dramatic scenery, consider visiting Huangshan in Anhui or the western parts of China instead.

How Long to Stay

Two days is generally enough for a trip to Suzhou. If you're in Shanghai, it's easy to take a high-speed train and visit Suzhou for the day—it’s only a 30-minute ride.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Suzhou is a city that combines traditional charm with modern growth. It’s a great place to visit, especially if you’re interested in gardens and silk. However, if you're seeking natural beauty, there are better options elsewhere. Still, Suzhou’s proximity to Shanghai makes it an ideal destination for a short trip or a business visit.

I wish everyone a pleasant trip to Suzhou, whether you're here for tourism or work.