Weather:

When is the best time to tour Suzhou?

Usually spring is regarded as the best time for touring Suzhou. The warm and humid climate adds more green color to the pretty southern Chinese private gardens which are the highlight of Suzhou tour. Actually Suzhou is distinct in four seasons. Its lotus-scented summer, maple-drenched autumn and snow-carpeted winter can also reveal you different beauties of Suzhou.

Tips:

• Plum Blossom Festival in February and early March is worth your visiting if you are interested in flower appreciation.
• Hanshan Temple holds a grand Bell Striking Ceremony in the lunar January to welcome the New Year coming.
• Tiger Hill Temple Fair (September to October) displays many traditional folk performances like the acrobatics, puppet show as well as the authentic specialties.

Transportation:

How can we get to Suzhou?

There is no airport in Suzhou, so only bus and train transfer options (Shanghai is usually the transferring city of Suzhou) are available for you as followings:

By Bus

You can fly to Shanghai firstly and then take an airport bus from Pudong or Hongqiao airport to Suzhou. Here is a time schedule of the buses.

Hongqiao Airport – Suzhou

Timetable: 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 15:50, 16:30, 17:20, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00
Ticket fee: CNY 50
Coach pick-up point: Hongqiao airport

Suzhou – Hongqiao Airport (115 minutes)

Time table: 6:30, 7:00, 7:40, 8:20, 9:00, 9:40, 10:20, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00
Ticket fee: CNY 50
Coach pick-up point: Tongguanfang No. 18 (opposite to Suzhou Police Station), or Suxiu Road NO.68.

Pudong Airport – Suzhou

Time table: 10:40, 11:20, 11:50, 12:50, 13:50, 14:40, 15:20, 16:10, 16:50, 17:50, 18:50, 19:40
Ticket fee: CNY 82
Coach pick-up point: Pudong airport.

Suzhou – Pudong Airport (120 to 150 minutes)

• Pick-up point A: Tongguanfang NO.18
  Time table: 7:30, 8:10, 8:50, 9:30, 10:10, 10:50, 11:50, 12:50, 13:50, 14:50, 7:55, 8:35
• Pick-up point B: Suxiu Road
  Time table: 7:55, 8:35, 9:15, 9:55, 10:35, 11:15, 12:15, 13:15, 12:15, 15:15 Ticket fee: CNY 80

By Train

The train from Suzhou to Shanghai leaves every 20 minutes and the train journey takes from half hour to 1.5 hours.

Tips:

It is better to book train ticket in advance. Ticket hotline: 0512-67534957

Shopping:

Are there any local specialties worth buying in Suzhou?

Yes. The noted specialties in Suzhou are Suzhou Embroidery, Biluochun tea, Suzhou Fans, Song Brocade, Taohuawu New Year pictures as well as various Suzhou snacks.

Guanqian Street is the most popular street in Suzhou with heaps of restaurants, entertainments and sightseeing. If you prefer to buy some souvenirs, then Shiquan Street is an excellent choice. If you show interest in silk, embroidery or antiques, please go to the Fengqiao Street.

Cuisine:

Is there any special local food worth trying in Suzhou?

Yes. Noted dishes in Suzhou are Biluo shrimp, watermelon chicken, steamed crab, soyed herring tail, etc. And Suzhou snacks like pine nut candy, shrimp-roe soy, sweet dried bean curd, jujube paste cake, etc. could satisfy your picky taste buds.

Guanqian Road, Shiquan Road, Fenghuang Road, Xueshi Road, Ganjiang Road and the like are recommended for hunting Suzhou dishes and snacks. There are also many restaurants offering western-style dishes or Japanese dishes on the street for you to get familiar or different tastes.

Accommodation:

Can you give me any suggestion for accommodations in Suzhou?

The most welcomed accommodation area for tourists is the ancient city district which has been separated into north area and south area.

North area is the downtown of Suzhou city and takes the Guangqian Street as its center. Humble Administrator's Garden, Lion Grove, etc. are located at this area. Hotel of different levels from upscale to economical are easily available here.

South area has covered Master-of-Nets Garden, Surging Wave Pavilion, Suzhou University, etc. Accommodation of different ranks can be found in this area as well.