Suzhou Gardens and Lakeside and Mountain Water Towns Nearby

Use Suzhou's old city as a base, with day trips to Lingyan Mountain in Mudu, Lake Taihu in Wuxi, Yushan Mountain in Changshu, and the Luzhi and Jinxi water towns.

The first two days cover the gardens of the old city and Tiger Hill Shantang Street. The next four days fan out to the surrounding area: Mudu Ancient Town and Lingyan Mountain in the west of the city, Yuantouzhu and Huishan Ancient Town in Wuxi, Yushan Mountain and Shang Lake in Changshu, and the Luzhi and Jinxi water towns in the east. On the last day, visit gardens in the south of the city before departing. Staying around Guanqian Street and Pingjiang Road, the trip combines high-speed rail, metro and buses. It suits travelers with plenty of time who want to see the areas around Suzhou too.

Yuantouzhu's cherry blossom season in March and April is crowded, so arrive early.

Day by day

Day 1 · Humble Administrator's Garden, Suzhou Museum and Pingjiang Road

Suzhou（Humble Administrator's Garden、Suzhou Museum、Lion Grove Garden、Pingjiang Road）

Take Metro Line 4 from Suzhou Railway Station to North Temple Pagoda Station. The gardens and museum are within walking distance of each other. In the evening, walk to Pingjiang Road.

The Suzhou Museum is closed on Mondays. Both the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Suzhou Museum require reservations.

Stay: Guanqian Street / Pingjiang Road

Day 2 · Lingering Garden, Hanshan Temple and Tiger Hill Shantang Street

Suzhou（Lingering Garden、Hanshan Temple、Tiger Hill、Shantang Street）

Take a taxi to Lingering Garden, about 20 minutes. Hanshan Temple and Tiger Hill are each about 15 minutes away by car. In the evening, walk along Shantang Street and take the metro back to Guanqian.

Stay: Guanqian Street / Pingjiang Road

Day 3 · Mudu Ancient Town and Lingyan and Tianping Mountains

Suzhou（Mudu Ancient Town、Lingyan Mountain、Tianping Mountain）

Take Metro Line 1 to Mudu, about 30 minutes. Walk around the ancient town, then take a taxi, about 10 minutes, up Lingyan Mountain and Tianping Mountain. Take the metro back to the city in the evening.

Tianping Mountain's red maples are at their best in November.

Stay: Guanqian Street / Pingjiang Road

Day 4 · Yuantouzhu in Wuxi and Huishan Ancient Town

Wuxi Urban Area（Yuantouzhu (Turtle Head Isle)、Huishan Ancient Town、Jichang Garden）

Take a high-speed train from Suzhou Railway Station to Wuxi Railway Station, about 20 minutes. Take a taxi or bus to Yuantouzhu, about 40 minutes. In the afternoon, visit Huishan Ancient Town and the Jichang Garden, then take the high-speed train back to Suzhou in the evening.

Yuantouzhu is large, and the park has boat rides and a small train.

Stay: Guanqian Street / Pingjiang Road

Day 5 · Xingfu Temple in Changshu, Yushan Mountain and Shang Lake

Suzhou（Xingfu Temple (Poshan Temple)、Yushan Mountain、Shanghu Lake）

Drive or take a taxi to Changshu, about 1 hour. Eat vegetarian noodles at Xingfu Temple, then take the cable car up Yushan Mountain. In the afternoon, visit Shang Lake and return to Suzhou in the evening.

The last boats on Shang Lake leave early, so avoid arriving too late in the afternoon.

Stay: Guanqian Street / Pingjiang Road

Day 6 · Luzhi and Jinxi Water Towns

Suzhou（Luzhi Ancient Town、Jinxi Ancient Town）

Take the metro or a taxi to Luzhi, about 40 minutes. In the afternoon, take a taxi to Jinxi, about 25 minutes. In the evening, take a taxi back to the city, about 1 hour.

These two towns are less crowded than Zhouzhuang, making them good for a slow stroll and photography.

Stay: Guanqian Street / Pingjiang Road

Day 7 · Master of the Nets Garden, Canglang Pavilion and Departure

Suzhou（Master of the Nets Garden、Canglang Pavilion、Suzhou Confucian Temple）

Take a taxi to Master of the Nets Garden, about 10 minutes. Walk to Canglang Pavilion and the Confucius Temple, then take a taxi to Suzhou Railway Station, about 25 minutes, in the afternoon.

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