When to visit Suzhou?
Suzhou is located in a subtropical monsoon climate zone, so the weather is mild and moist with four distinct seasons. It's best to pay a visit between January and April because the weather is not too cold and the flowers are in full bloom until June. The Plum Rain Season of June is followed by a hot July. After July arrives the harvest autumn of pleasant climate. Both the fresh fruits and seafood will surely whet your appetite. To promote tourism in Suzhou, a number of tourist festivals are held here every year:
West Hill Plum Blossom Festival in Wu County - March, 1st to 10th
The Tiger Hill Flower Festival - March to May
Luzhi Apparel Cultural Tourist Festival - April
The Tiger Hill Fair - September to October
Tianping Hill red Maple art Festival - November
The Festival of Listening to the Bell of the Cold Mountain Temple on New Year's Eve - December, 31st
How to get to Suzhou?
In Suzhou, there is no airport, but travelers can use the nearby Shanghai Pudong Airport or Hongqiao Airport. With four main train stations, the railway is well-developed. Frequent bullet trains run between Suzhou and Shanghai, which makes it possible to travel between the two cities in 30 minutes. Subway trains and convenient city buses can take visitors to most attractions within the city.
Suzhou Travel Tips
Dining in Suzhou: Tasting local delicacies should not be forgotten in your journey. Suzhou Cuisine belongs to the Jiangsu Style, which is one of the eight famous cuisines of China. The special sweet flavor and delicate appearance make the dishes greatly popular. Authentic notable local dishes and snacks can be found in Guanqian Street. You’ll never forget the delicious food and friendly service.
Shopping in Suzhou: Silk and embroidery are the very souvenirs most visitors are eager to buy in China. Here you have come to the right place. The city is the original site of Su Embroidery, and the silk products here enjoy a high reputation worldwide. If you want to buy, we recommend the souvenir stores at the Suzhou Silk Museum and Embroidery Museum.
Nighlife in Suzhou: Local nightlife is much quieter and more leisurely than in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai. When night falls, one can enjoy the lovely scene on Shantang Street, take a boat ride on the Shantang River, or watch the local Kun Opera and Pingtan performance while sipping a cup of tea in a teahouse. Pubs or bars are also available, but traditional cultures are hardly felt there.