Suzhou Five-Day Travel Guide

Itinerary - Day 1: Gardens and Cultural History Tour: In the morning, visit Suzhou Museum, a masterpiece by I.M. Pei with distinctive architecture. Enjoy Suzhou-style dim sum nearby for lunch. In the afternoon, explore the Humble Administrator's Garden and appreciate the exquisite beauty of Jiangnan gardens. In the evening, stroll along Pingjiang Road to experience the watertown charm where "houses nestle along the river," and find a small restaurant to taste local delicacies. - Day 2: Historical Sites and Night Views: In the morning, head to Tiger Hill to experience the charm of "Wu Region's Premier Attraction." Have lunch near Shantang Street, sampling Suzhou's specialty dishes. In the afternoon, visit the Lingering Garden to admire its unique rocks and delicate architecture. In the evening, explore Shantang Street and take a boat ride to enjoy the night views of the ancient street. - Day 3: Religious Culture and Leisure Time: In the morning, visit Hanshan Temple to listen to the ancient bell sounds and experience its peaceful atmosphere. Then proceed to Xiyuan Temple, where you can pet cats and taste vegetarian noodles. After lunch nearby, head to the Master of Nets Garden in the afternoon, which is small but exquisite and full of charm. In the evening, visit Guanqian Street, the commercial center, for shopping and dining. - Day 4: Ancient Town Tour: Visit Luzhi Ancient Town to explore Baosheng Temple, Ye Shengtao Memorial Hall, and other attractions, experiencing the town's simple tranquility. Taste local specialties like Fuli Pork Trotter and Luzhi Radish. In the afternoon, continue wandering through the ancient town, admiring the old bridges, historic houses, and river scenery. - Day 5: Blend of Modern and Historical: In the morning, visit Suzhou Imperial Kiln Golden Brick Museum to learn about the craftsmanship and history of golden bricks. After lunch nearby, head to Eslite Bookstore, an artistic bookstore perfect for leisurely reading. Afterward, explore Suzhou Center to experience the modern prosperity of Suzhou. Transportation Guide - Suzhou has convenient transportation with subways, buses, and other public transit. Download the Su E-xing APP for subway rides, and get a bus card through Alipay for bus travel. - In areas where attractions are concentrated, such as the old city district, shared bikes or walking are good options. For more distant ancient towns, choose buses or taxis. Food Recommendations - Specialty dishes: Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish, Eel Paste with Sizzling Oil, Yangcheng Lake Hairy Crabs, etc. - Local snacks: Suzhou-style noodle soup, Plum Blossom Cake, Begonia Cake, Pan-fried Buns, etc. Accommodation Suggestions - Recommended areas include Pingjiang Road, Shantang Street in Gusu District, or along subway lines for convenient transportation and abundant food options nearby. Consider hotels like Pingjiang Huafu Boutique Hotel or Ji Hotel.