Established as the Wu Kingdom’s (771-476 BC) spring and autumn capital, old Suzhou – in the centre of the Yangtze Delta – is known for its bridges and water town backdrops.
Multiple daily flights and bullet trains travel from Beijing to Shanghai. From there, trains to Suzhou from Shanghai Station or Shanghai Hongqiao Station cost from 40-120RMB and take about 40 minutes.
VISIT CLASSICAL GARDENS
Suzhou's gardens were originally retreats belonging to well-to-do bureaucrats and warlords. Around 50 of remain in the city, with nine UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The Lion Grove Garden is a good choice for families as children can climb the collection of man-made rock formations. Don’t miss the Humble Administrator’s Garden, the biggest classical garden in town and easily the most photogenic. Lion Grove Garden, 23 Yuanlin Lu, Gusu district. Humble Administrator’s Garden, 178 Dongbei Jie, Gusu district.
PONDER TRADITIONAL ART
The Suzhou Museum houses the city’s traditional art collection. Go for the Ming ceramics and to appreciate the architecture. 2075 Renmin Lu, Gusu district.
CATCH AN OPERA
Developed during the Ming dynasty, kunqu features a theatre and acrobatics company and traditional orchestra. Suzhou Kunqu Opera Museum, 14 Zhongzhangjia Lane, Pingjiang district. Performances take place on Sundays at 2pm; 20-30RMB. Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre, 9 Jiaochangqiao Lu, Pingjiang district.
EAT SHENGJIANBAO
Suzhou’s local foods are similar to Shanghai’s. Xinzhenyuan Shengjian Restaurant serves up great (and cheap) versions of traditional dishes like shengjianbao, tangbao (soup dumplings) and wontons with prawns.
This busy venue might challenge those with young kids, but the food is authentic. Xinzhenyuan Shengjian Restaurant, 63 Renmin Lu, Canglang district.
STAY HERE
Blossom Hill, formerly a summer palace mansion, is one of the most striking accommodation options in town. With four courtyard houses encircling smaller ones and gardens and ponds dotted around, it is a restful spot for family travel. It’s also well located on Suzhou’s Shizi Nan Lu, around other heritage buildings and right on the water. 10 Shizi Nan Lu, Gusu district. Standard rooms start at 920RMB per room on weekdays; 1,120RMB on weekends.
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