Suzhou's proximity to Shanghai makes it an obvious choice for day or weekend trips to get away from the big city. Additionally, it is a convenient stop on the way to Shanghai from Beijing as well.

Shanghai Airport to Suzhou

Airport Shuttle

Both Shanghai's Pudong and Hongqiao airports are serviced by a shuttle bus to Suzhou. The bus departs the Pudong (PVG) airport, stops at Hongqiao (SHA) airport, and then continues on to Suzhou. It has two arrival points in Suzhou - one in Suzhou's SIP area (1st stop - eastern end) and one downtown (2nd/main stop - western/central end).

From Pudong Airport, the price is 82 RMB/passenger. It runs at the following times:
10:50 11:50 12:50 13:50 14:40 15:20 16:10 16:50 17:50 18:50

The bus leaves from the outer-cities bus terminal, just outside the arrivals hall. To reach it, follow these instructions:

1. After getting your luggage and exiting the arrivals area, you enter the Main Hall (ground level). Turn right and go to the end of the Hall. You'll see an escalator.
2. Take the escalator to the second floor and proceed through the overpass doors immediately to your right. This bridge will take you across the road towards the parking area.
3. About 1/3 of the way down the hallway you will see an elevator that goes down to the parking area. Take it, or the adjoining stairs one floor down and exit into the parking lot. To your left should be the parking garage and to your right will be a number of parked buses and the gated exit.
4. Just pass the buses is a small building with a ticket window. Purchase your ticket here.

Train

To get to Suzhou by train, follow these instructions to get to the Shanghai train station, and then look below for information on getting to Suzhou by train.

The Shanghai train station is accessible from the airport only with several transfers.

1. Follow the signs in the PVG terminal to the MagLev (Magnetic Levitation Train - the fastest train in the world!). The MagLev will take you to the Longyang Rd. station.
2. Exiting the MagLev you will see signs to the Shanghai subway (map). Take the #2 (Green) line to the People's Square (Renmin Guangchang) stop. Here, transfer to the #1 (Red) line north to the Shanghai Railway Station.

From Shanghai City

By Train

1. Navigate your way to the front of the train station and enter the hall that says Tickets/Today Tickets. There is a ticket booth here for English speakers. It is often crowded with non-English ticket buyers, but put your elbows out, and join the scrum.
2. Train tickets to Suzhou are frequent and you'll not likely need to wait for more than 30-45 minutes.
3. Train times to Suzhou vary between 35 minutes (on the new bullet trains) and about 50 minutes on the regular trains. All trains arrive at Suzhou's main train station.
4. Upon exiting the train station, directly in front of you will be a taxi stand with what is usually a long line of people waiting for a lift.
5. A Your China Pal can be waiting for you upon arrival and help guide you to your accommodations.

By Bus

coming soon.

From Beijing

By plane

Suzhou has no domestic airport of its own, but as it is quite near Shanghai's Hongqiao airport, it has little need for one. If you are coming from Beijing, simply fly to Shanghai's Hongqiao airport (SHA), and follow the Airport Shuttle instructions above.

By train

China Rail offers several trains coming from Beijing that stop in Suzhou. The trip takes between 8 and 12 hours, but is usually an overnight train, so the time passes quickly. Click here for a Beijing to Suzhou train schedule.

Upon arrival in Suzhou, a Your China Pal can be waiting for you to help assist you to your accommodations.

Current Local Forcast

Yearly Climate Info.

Detailed information about the average, maximun and minimum temperatures and the rainfall in Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.

Quick Info. Chinese: 拙政园
Pinyin: Zhuōzhèng Yuán
Price: 70/50 RMB
Time Needed: 1.5-2.5 hrs
Location: 178 Dongbei St. (about 1km south of train station)

With a total area of nearly 52,000 square meters, the Humble Administrator's Garden is the centrepiece of Suzhou's many gardens, as well as one of the four most famous classic gardens in China.

Originally built by a retired official during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the garden has changed several times over the centuries, and now most closely resembles its redesign during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It is representative of Chinese classical gardens of that period, and features pavilions and bridges interspersed around numerous ponds and islands.

Though a 'must see' while in Suzhou, be warned it gets very crowded during the tourist season. Additionally, ticket prices often rise during public holidays.

It is best to visit in the morning of a regular working day to avoid the crowds. The garden is located about 1km south of the train station, in a pleasant older area of the city that features a network of small alleys crammed with traditional-style courtyard houses.

Quick Info.Chinese: 网师园
Pinyin: Wǎngshī Yuán
Price: 30/20 RMB
Time Needed: 1.5-2.5 hrs
Location: DaiChengQiao Rd. (across from the Suzhou Garden Hotel)

The Garden of the 'Master of the Nets' is the smallest of the Suzhou residential gardens, yet it is quite impressive due to its use of space—creating the illusion of an area that is much greater than its actual size.

The garden embodies a mood of harmony and tranquility, and is largely considered the most balanced garden (in terms of water, rocks, plants and timber) that Suzhou has to offer.

A popular stop for tour groups, it can get crowded during the tourist season, so its best to go in the morning to avoid the crowds. Every night, the garden hosts an evening of traditional music by local performers. Tickets for this are not included with the price of admission, and will cost an additional 80 RMB, and features two-hours of live folk and operatic music.

Quick Info. Chinese: 留园
Pinyin: Liú Yuán
Price: 40/30 RMB
Time Needed: 1.5-2.5 hrs
Location: Liu Yuan Rd. (NW end of the city)

The Lingering Garden is quite large, and features a picturesque central water feature, as well as many other aesthetics, such as the elegant walkways and bamboo groves.

The garden dates back to the 15th century, and was a scholar's private paradise. A 700m walkway weaves through the garden and is inscribed with calligraphy. Occasionally, the garden provides free music performances at peak times, which represent a great chance to hear and photograph performers and musicians.

Many visitors to this garden also visit the nearby 'West Garden' (300m away) and Hanshan Temple (about 2km away) while in the area.

Please bear with us, more information to come...

Useful Links Suzhou Sightseeing
Suzhou Weather & Climate
External Links Gov't of Suzhou (En)
Suzhou Map #1 (Ch)
Suzhou Map #2 (En)

Suzhou, with its collection of picturesque gardens, numerous canals crossed by ancient stone bridges and assortment of pagodas, is one of the oldest cities in the Yangtze Basin.

Its history extends back 2,500 years, to the Spring and Autumn Period, when King Helu of Wu established the city as his kingdom's capital. Its face has changed many times over the years, but remanents of its history are easily found.

Throughout its long past, Suzhou has been a centre of culture and commerce. It's placement on the Grand Canal made it a hub of the silk trade over a thousand years ago—a tradition it still carries on today.

In 1981 the State Council listed Suzhou's ancient city as a place where historical and natural sites should be preserved and protected. Further, in 1997 and 2000, Suzhou's classical gardens were placed on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

With its fluid melding of old and new, it's no wonder many expatriates have made Suzhou their home. Though there are plenty of traditional markets to browse for deals, should visitors require comforts from home, they are often close at hand.

Should you have any questions about Suzhou that are not answered on these pages, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.