Want to discover the Venice of China? On this day trip to Suzhou, we'll discover the charms of the city, from its canals to its stone bridges.
Day Trip Details
On the day of the activity, you’ll need to make your own way to the Shanghai train station. There, you’ll board a train that will take you to our destination. After a journey of approximately 30 minutes, you’ll arrive at the Suzhou train station.
At the station’s South Plaza, specifically in the garden featuring sculptures of historical figures, our guide will be waiting for us to begin this tour of Suzhou. Did you know it’s known as the Venice of China?
Our first stop will be the Lion Forest Garden, one of the city’s four most famous botanical gardens. We’ll stroll along its winding paths to admire its impressive rock formations and discover how it perfectly combines Zen Buddhist aesthetics with the beauty of traditional gardens from the Jiangnan region.
Next, we’ll head to the Suzhou Folk Museum, China’s first museum dedicated to showcasing urban customs. There, we’ll learn about local traditions, from weddings to culinary curiosities. Afterward, we’ll continue our tour by strolling down Pingjiang Street, Suzhou’s most iconic historic alley. You’ll be captivated by the charm of its canals and its iconic white-walled houses!
At noon, we’ll give you 1 hour of free time so you can have lunch on your own. The guide will recommend the best spots in the area to enjoy authentic local cuisine.
With renewed energy, we’ll visit Bao’en Temple, the oldest Buddhist sanctuary in Suzhou. We’ll admire its famous pagoda, known as the First Ancient Pagoda of Jiangnan and a true must-see landmark of the city. To round out the tour, we’ll visit the Suzhou Silk Museum, where we’ll admire ancient robes adorned with dragon motifs and discover the fascinating intangible heritage of this type of fabric.
Finally, the guide will accompany us back to Suzhou Station to catch the train back to Shanghai. We are scheduled to arrive at Shanghai Station approximately 8 hours after the start of the tour.
Important Info
You'll need to make your own way to the Suzhou train station from the Shanghai train station. After booking, we'll provide you with the necessary directions, as well as the train tickets you will need for the trip.