5-Day Suzhou Tour | Classic Combination of the Humble Administrator’s Garden and Zhouzhuang・Suitable for All Groups
Suzhou is the gentle epitome of the Jiangnan water town, featuring the pavilions and waters of the Humble Administrator’s Garden, the small bridges and flowing water of Zhouzhuang, and the soft Wu dialect on Pingjiang Road. Bring elders to listen to Pingtan in the gardens, accompany children chasing flower cats on the ancient town’s stone paths—here, every day offers a poetic life like an ink painting.
🗓️ Itinerary Overview
D1: Arrive in Suzhou → Humble Administrator’s Garden → Pingjiang Road Historic District → Guanqian Street
D2: Zhouzhuang Ancient Town → Tongli Ancient Town
D3: Tiger Hill → Hanshan Temple → Shantang Street
D4: Lion Grove Garden → Suzhou Museum → Jinji Lake
D5: Lingering Garden → Suzhou Amusement Park Forest World → Return
🏯 Day 1: Garden Serenity · Ancient Street Charm
📍 Humble Administrator’s Garden (5A, Admission 80 RMB)
Highlights: The top of China’s four famous gardens, a Ming Dynasty garden model, with exquisite “step-by-step scene changes” garden art. Elders can listen to Wu-style guqin music at Xiangzhou (10 RMB/song), children can admire the Taihu stone rockery at “With Whom to Sit Pavilion.” Spring wisteria and autumn red maples are perfect for photos.
🕙 Opening Hours: 7:30-17:30 (March-November), recommended 9:00-11:30 (less crowded, ideal for savoring)
💰 Fees: Adults 80 RMB, free for seniors 60+, free for children under 1.4m
📸 Photo Spot: In front of the Thirty-six Mandarin Ducks Hall (capture reflections and people, wear plain clothes for best effect)
💡 Tips: Wheelchair rental available (40 RMB/day); rockeries are steep, don’t let children climb.
📍 Pingjiang Road Historic District (Free)
Highlights: Preserves Song Dynasty “water and land coexistence” layout, bluestone paths with small bridges and flowing water, Pingtan teahouses (30 RMB/person for 1 hour), Su embroidery experience (try embroidery for 50 RMB/session). Elders can ride a black-awning boat (60 RMB/boat, seats 6), children can buy osmanthus sugar porridge (8 RMB/bowl).
🕙 Suggested Visit Time: 14:00-17:00
📍 Guanqian Street (Free)
Highlights: Century-old commercial street, home to old brands like “Songhelou” (must-try squirrel-shaped mandarin fish) and “Huangtianyuan” (sweet cakes). Elders can buy Caizhizhai crispy candy, children can play street ring toss (10 RMB/5 rings), great for dinner and snacking.
🍜 Recommended: Guanqian Street’s “Luchangxing,” must-try Aozao noodles (20 RMB/bowl, fresh and sweet broth), pan-fried buns (12 RMB/4 pieces), average 30 RMB per person.
🏨 Recommended Accommodation: “Suzhou Cultural Tourism Huajiantang” near Pingjiang Road (garden-style guesthouse with family rooms, 10-minute walk to Humble Administrator’s Garden), priced 500-700 RMB/night, water view from the window.
🚣 Day 2: Water Town Stroll · Ancient Town Dream
📍 Zhouzhuang Ancient Town (5A, Admission 100 RMB)
Highlights: “China’s No.1 Water Town,” iconic Shuangqiao and Fu’an bridges, beautiful morning mist viewed from a rowboat (100 RMB/boat, seats 6). Elders can listen to water town stories at Zhang Hall, children can buy Grandma’s tea on Zhenfeng Street (15 RMB/cup), lanterns light up like a starry river at dusk.
🕙 Opening Hours: 7:30-21:00, recommended 8:00-14:00
📸 Photo Spot: Shuangqiao Bridge (capture the arch and boats, people stand on stone steps by the shore)
📍 Tongli Ancient Town (5A, Admission 80 RMB)
Highlights: “Chuan”-shaped waterways surround the town, must-see Retreat and Reflection Garden (combining garden and ancient town). Elders sunbathe by Sanqiao Bridge, children feed pigeons at Luoxingzhou (5 RMB/bag), less commercialized, perfect for slow strolling.
🕙 Suggested Visit Time: 15:00-19:00
💡 Tips: Bus from Zhouzhuang to Tongli about 1 hour (8 RMB); stone paths are slippery, wear non-slip shoes.
🗻 Day 3: Tiger Hill Exploration · Ancient Temple Bell
📍 Tiger Hill (5A, Admission 70 RMB)
Highlights: “Top Scenic Spot in Wuzhong,” millennium-old leaning Tiger Hill Pagoda, Sword Pool (legendary tomb of King Helü of Wu). Elders listen to legends at Qianrenshi Rock, children pretend to “draw swords” at the Sword Testing Stone, magnolia blooms fill the garden in spring.
🕙 Opening Hours: 7:30-17:30, recommended 9:00-11:30
📸 Photo Spot: Under Tiger Hill Pagoda (capture full view of the leaning tower, people stand south of the pagoda)
📍 Hanshan Temple (4A, Admission 20 RMB)
Highlights: Famous for the poem “Outside Gusu City, Hanshan Temple,” bell tower allows bell ringing (5 RMB/3 strikes, for blessings). Elders worship in the Mahavira Hall, children view ancient stele of “Night Mooring by Maple Bridge,” ginkgo trees turn golden in autumn.
🕙 Opening Hours: 7:30-17:00, recommended 13:30-15:00
📍 Shantang Street (Free)
Highlights: “Seven Li Shantang” night scene is stunning, with lantern street and opera stage (Pingtan performance starts at 19:00). Elders drink tea at riverside teahouses, children buy sugar paintings (15 RMB each), romantic night cruise on painted boats (60 RMB/person).
🎨 Day 4: Curious Rocks · Fusion of Old and New
📍 Lion Grove Garden (4A, Admission 40 RMB)
Highlights: Famous for Taihu stone rockeries, “Nine Lion Peak” and “Han Hui Cave” with jagged stones, children love hide-and-seek in the rock maze. Elders view Su-style furniture at Yanyu Hall, bamboo groves provide a quiet rest spot.
🕙 Opening Hours: 7:30-17:30, recommended 9:00-11:00
📍 Suzhou Museum (4A, Free, reservation required)
Highlights: Designed by I.M. Pei with “modern yet traditional” architecture, collections include Yuan blue-and-white porcelain and Song paintings, children’s area offers garden model building (free). Elders view “Wu Region Treasures” exhibition, courtyard connects to Humble Administrator’s Garden, every step a new scene.
🕙 Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 (closed Mondays), recommended 14:00-16:00
📍 Jinji Lake (Free, boat ride 80 RMB/person)
Highlights: Modern Suzhou landmark, surrounded by “Big Pants” Oriental Gate, Ferris wheel (100 RMB/person). Elders stroll along Ligongdi, children try “Jinji Lake Sailing” experience (150 RMB/hour), dazzling night light show.
🌿 Day 5: Famous Garden Finale · Amusement Park Fun
📍 Lingering Garden (5A, Admission 55 RMB)
Highlights: Qing Dynasty garden representative, “Guanyun Peak” is a Taihu stone masterpiece, flower windows with borrowed scenery are exceptional. Elders watch koi in Hanbi Mountain House, children learn about osmanthus varieties at Wenmuxixiang Pavilion, quiet and perfect for savoring.
🕙 Opening Hours: 7:30-17:30, recommended 9:00-11:00
📍 Suzhou Amusement Park Forest World (Admission 190 RMB)
Highlights: Family-friendly park with “Forest Eye” Ferris wheel, “Fantasy Drift” (gentle, suitable for elders), children can play in “Cute Pet Town” (feed alpacas 20 RMB/portion), whole family can watch the parade (15:00).
🕙 Opening Hours: 9:30-17:30, recommended 13:00-16:00
💡 Tips: Elders can rest in seating areas while kids play, park offers mobility scooter rental (80 RMB/hour).
✨ Suzhou Survival Guide
1️⃣ Transportation: Metro lines 1-5 cover city attractions (2-6 RMB); to Zhouzhuang take tourist shuttle (17 RMB/person, 1.5 hours); mainly walking in ancient towns, can take rickshaw (30 RMB/trip, suitable for elders).
2️⃣ Clothing: Wear qipao/Hanfu in spring and autumn (for garden photos), light jackets (cool mornings/evenings); summer wear short sleeves + sun protection (shady but humid); winter wear down jackets + scarves (damp cold); shoes choose embroidered or flat shoes (match ancient streets).
3️⃣ Taboos: Do not pick flowers or break branches in gardens; no loud noises or photographing Buddha statues in temples; don’t let children run on slippery stone paths in ancient towns (risk of falling).
4️⃣ Accommodation: Stay in old city for first 3 days (near gardens), new district for last 2 days (near amusement park), choose hotels with children’s bathrobes for kids, elevator rooms for elders (many old buildings have stairs).
🛍️ Must-Buy Souvenirs
① Su embroidery small items (handkerchief 30 RMB/each, bookmark 20 RMB/each, intangible cultural heritage craft)
② Caizhizhai crispy candy (40 RMB/box, sesame and peanut flavors, loved by elders and kids)
③ Yangcheng Lake hairy crab gift box (vacuum packed 150-300 RMB/box, best in autumn)
④ Garden cultural products (Humble Administrator’s Garden fridge magnets 15 RMB/each, folding fans 50 RMB/each)
The beauty of Suzhou lies in every step and scene of the Humble Administrator’s Garden, the boat songs and oars of Zhouzhuang, and the soft Wu dialect in Pingtan. Whether you bring your parents to listen to “Night Mooring by Maple Bridge” in a teahouse, laugh with children in the rock maze, or enjoy a cup of osmanthus wine with friends on Pingjiang Road, this place offers a warmth that makes you never want to leave. If you come to Suzhou, would you first want to see the flowers bloom in the Humble Administrator’s Garden or listen to the boat songs in Zhouzhuang?