Last updated on June 8th, 2025
This day trip to Suzhou itinerary will guide you through its most iconic attractions, scenic spots, and hidden gems. A detail Suzhou travel guide blog.
Nicknamed the “Venice of the East,” Suzhou (Chinese: 苏州) is famous for its enchanting canals, the Humble Administrator’s Garden, and rich cultural heritage. Located just 30 minutes away by train from Shanghai, this city makes for an ideal day trip or a short getaway. It is the perfect place to experience the gentle and captivating beauty of the Jiangnan region.
During our visit to Shanghai, we took a day trip to historic Suzhou. This tranquil canal city is absolutely worth visiting if you’re in modern Shanghai. The peaceful atmosphere offers a refreshing contrast to the bustling metropolis. Strolling through the canals of Suzhou provides a completely different experience than being in Shanghai.
In this Suzhou travel guide blog, we will share the top things to do in Suzhou during your day trip, tips on how to get there, and other helpful advice to assist you in planning your Suzhou itinerary. Now, let’s head to Suzhou for your day trip!
How To Get to Suzhou From Shanghai
Suzhou does not have its own airport, so you will need to fly into one of Shanghai’s two major airports – Hongqiao or Pudong International.
After arriving in Shanghai, you can easily board a high-speed train to Suzhou from either Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station or Shanghai Railway Station. The journey to Suzhou takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the train you choose. Trains run frequently throughout the day.
For our day trip to Suzhou, we took a high-speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station. We purchased our tickets directly at the station, but you can also book them online in advance.
Once we arrived at Suzhou Railway Station, we found that public transport options, including taxis, buses, and the metro, were readily available to help us reach the city’s famous attractions. The high-speed train station is conveniently connected to the metro station, making transitions easy. We opted to use the metro to get around Suzhou, which was a straightforward way to reach the historical center.
Things to do for Day Trip Suzhou itinerary
Once you arrive in Suzhou, you’ll find that most points of interest are easily accessible via public transport, making it very convenient to explore the city. Here are some of the top activities to consider for your one-day Suzhou itinerary. Feel free to adjust your travel plans according to your interests.
Things to do for Suzhou itinerary:
- Arrived Suzhou from Shanghai
- Suzhou Museum
- Humble Administrator’s Garden
- Lunch at Shuangta Market
- Pingjiang Road
- Shantang Street
- Guan Qian Shopping Street
- Accommodation: Hampton by Hilton Suzhou Guanqian Street
Next, let’s start your Suzhou day trip!
Suzhou Museum
Next, we continue our Suzhou itinerary to the Suzhou Museum (蘇州博物館). It is located on the west side of the Humble Administrator’s Garden in the Pingjiang District of Suzhou city center. It is a great idea to visit both places together when planning your Suzhou itinerary.
The Suzhou Museum is a popular attraction designed by the renowned architect I.M. Pei (1917-2019), who also designed the Louvre. It features a modern interpretation of traditional Suzhou architecture, incorporating classic elements like white walls and black tiles while maintaining a contemporary aesthetic. Natural light is emphasized through a stone and glass roof. Opened in 2006, the entire museum resembles a small garden, with ancient buildings surrounded by small lakes and lush greenery.
Entrance to the museum is free, but you will need to make an advance reservation, typically about 7 days in advance, to secure your admission.
The museum houses various items such as pottery, jade, paintings, and calligraphy from ancient times to the present. The collection is well-presented and focuses on preserving Suzhou’s history and culture. It also encompasses artifacts ranging from the Ming Dynasty to the modern era.
Unfortunately, the quality of the exhibits leaves something to be desired. It can become very crowded, especially on weekends, making it difficult to enjoy the exhibits due to the free admission.
Still, I definitely recommend visiting the Suzhou Museum. It is worth spending some time here during your visit to Suzhou.
Getting there: The best and most affordable way to reach this location is by taking the Suzhou Subway. Ride Line 6 to the Humble Administrator’s Garden Suzhou Museum. Exit through Exit 2, and you will find yourself right in front of the Suzhou Museum.
Humble Administrator’s Garden
Located on Dong Bei Street in the ancient city of Suzhou, the Humble Administrator’s Garden (拙政园) is one of China’s four most famous gardens. Originally built in 1509 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), it started as a private garden for a former government servant named Wang Xianchen. With a history spanning over 500 years, the garden was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1997 and recognized as a cultural relic in 1961.
Covering about 12.85 acres (52,000 square meters), it is the largest and most renowned traditional Chinese garden. Its unique designs and ethereal beauty have earned it many honors. As you navigate the seemingly endless stretches of covered walkways, you will encounter various lakes and a diverse array of flora, providing plenty of photo opportunities. A notable feature of the garden is its lotus ponds, which occupy one-fifth of the space and are the venue for the annual Lotus Blooms Festival. This festival attracts travelers from around the world.
The admission fee is CNY70 per person, while seniors over 70 years old can enter for free. Although we visited on a weekday during the off-peak season, we still encountered a noticeable crowd, mainly consisting of locals, which made enjoying a relaxing walk somewhat challenging. Please note that the garden has many steps and may not be suitable for those with limited mobility. We spent about 1.5 hours exploring this beautiful site.
Shuangta Market
After the morning stroll, our next stop on the Suzhou itinerary is Shuangta Market (双塔集贸市场). This local wet market has a twenty-year history and is a popular spot where locals shop for their food in the morning.
With support from the local government, Shuangta Market has been renovated and transformed into a stylish market. It has gained popularity not only among locals but also among visitors who want to experience the local vibe.
The atmosphere is lively, filled with locals shopping for groceries, snack foods, local delicacies, and even handmade products. I love this morning market; it is very clean and organized. It’s bustling, and there’s so much to see and buy.
The eateries tend to be particularly crowded, and some popular shops require customers to queue. Unfortunately, there are limited places to sit after buying food, so many people have to stand and eat. It’s advisable to reserve a seat before purchasing anything. While the prices are slightly higher, they remain reasonable.
We enjoyed strolling through the market, soaking in the atmosphere and sampling local snacks and food. Although it’s not a touristy place, it’s a delight for the senses, especially for those who appreciate discovering the local vibe.
We sampled some local snack food at Shuangta market. After eating, we continued our exploration with a walk along Pingjiang Road, which is open until 9:30 PM and located just 100 meters across the road!
Pingjiang Road
Not far from Shuangta Market is Pingjiang Road (平江路), a must-visit destination for tourists. This historical canal-side street dates back to the Southern Song Dynasty. The Pingjiang Road features well-preserved blocks of ancient buildings and historical shophouses, serving as a representation of ancient Suzhou. While some of the old Suzhou has been maintained, the area is now primarily geared towards tourists.
The street is bustling with shops and bazaars selling various items that tourists often seek. Be sure to try the local delicacies, such as skewered meat, fried cuttlefish, diced fruit, and rice crackers. We didn’t sample much because we had already enjoyed lunch at Shuangta Market.
The scenery along Pingjiang Road is charming, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in rich cultural experiences. Walking around here feels like stepping back into the daily life of people from old times. Some visitors even dress in traditional “han” costumes as they explore the area.
A pleasant stroll from one end of Pingjiang Road to the other takes about 15 minutes, and it’s a further 5-minute walk to Xiangmen subway station. Just be aware that many motorcycles pass through, so keep an eye out and move aside when you hear them honking.
Shantang Street
ShanTang Street (山塘街), also known as Seven-li Shantang (七里山塘), is a must-visit attraction on your Suzhou itinerary.
Dating back over 1,200 years, this iconic pedestrian street follows the picturesque canal that runs from the Shantang River to the famous Tiger Hill. The ancient stone bridges and red lanterns swaying above bustling tea houses, souvenir shops, and eateries give this street a unique and irresistible charm. At night, the lanterns illuminate the city, creating a romantic atmosphere.
Similar to Pingjiang Road, ShanTang Street is a perfect place to stroll and experience the old Suzhou. There are plenty of scenic views to enjoy, including tranquil rivers, ancient bridges, and narrow walkways lined with shops selling all sorts of trinkets, food, and drinks. It’s truly a unique highlight!
The street is divided into two main sections. One section is primarily commercial, catering to sightseers, shoppers, and diners. The other section retains a more traditional vibe, with local markets and family-run businesses. Nearby, you’ll find another attraction worth visiting—the Tiger Hill Pagoda, which is only about a 400-meter walk from ShanTang Street.
Getting there: ShanTang Street is easily accessible by train. Take the subway to ShanTangJie Station on the Red Line (Line 2). Exit via Exit No. 3, and you will be right next to the street.
Guan Qian Shopping Street
If you’re in the mood for some shopping during your Suzhou itinerary, consider visiting Guan Qian Shopping Street (观前街). This street is named after the nearby Xuan Miao Temple, a Daoist temple.
You can easily get there via Cha Yuan Chang station on the Blue Line (Line 4); simply take Exit 1, and you’ll find yourself looking straight down the street. We stayed in Hampton by Hilton Suzhou Guanqian Street which conveniently located close to the area, so we enjoyed walking there at night to find food.
Guan Qian Shopping Street is one of the prominent shopping destinations in Suzhou. It features a mix of local shops and major international brands, along with a variety of Chinese restaurants and eateries.
While it isn’t particularly unique compared to other shopping streets in China, it’s pleasant to walk around and sample some snacks. We had dinner at a local restaurant, and the area radiates a vibrant local atmosphere, making it a great base for accommodation.
Where to Stay in Suzhou
Depending on your itinerary in Suzhou, you may either continue to your next destination at the end of the day or spend the night in the city. We recommend staying at a hotel near Guan Qian Shopping Street or Pingjiang Road area.
Here are some other accommodation options in Suzhou:
- Mercure Suzhou City Center: This is a higher-end hotel option for those who want to stay conveniently in downtown Suzhou. Pingjiang Road is located just opposite the property.
- ANDU Hotel: This hotel is conveniently located next to Pingjiang Road, with many attractions and dining options nearby. The hotel is clean and conveniently situated for tourists. The service is excellent, staff members are friendly and well-trained.
We stayed at the Hampton by Hilton Suzhou Guanqian Street, which is ideally located right on Guanqian Street. The hotel has been newly renovated in a modern style, and the mattresses are soft and comfortable. There are plenty of excellent restaurants within walking distance. You can make a reservation for the Hampton by Hilton Suzhou Guanqian Street here.
Overall: Day Trip to Suzhou
All in all, if you have the opportunity to visit Suzhou, I highly recommend taking it! This charming historical city is an excellent option for a day trip from Shanghai, offering a variety of unique sightseeing activities. Suzhou is home to several museums, traditional gardens, and picturesque canal streets that will keep you engaged throughout the day. Additionally, you can extend your exploration to Hangzhou and the surrounding areas for a trip lasting anywhere from two to four days.
In short, a one-day visit to Suzhou is definitely worth your time!
Lastly, this Suzhou itinerary is part of our Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou travel blog. Continue reading for more travel stories.
- Shanghai itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
- Where To Stay in Shanghai: Best Areas and Hotels
- Hangzhou itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
- Where To Stay in Hangzhou: Best Areas and Hotels
- Trip to West Lake: A Travel Guide blog
- Trip to Wuzhen Ancient Water Town: A Travel Guide Blog
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