Full Day Complete Suzhou

Suzhou, water and its immaculate gardens: almost everyone leaving Suzhou has left the city positively bewildered because of what such a city can pack on such a small area. Backed up by the people of UNESCO in giving some of its Chinese-style landmarks a stamp of protection, this ancient water city may have its eyes set into the future. What makes Suzhou a pearl of the development of Chinese civilization meanders through the high rise and upcoming sky scrapers and this is what we will explore on this full day touring this old settlement at the southern side of the Yangzhe River.

Your English-speaking guide will welcome you at your hotel lobby at around 08:30 hrs and together with a driver, it is exploration Suzhou style. Comfortably seated, we start our morning heading the Master of the Nets and the Gardens of the Humble Administrator. The names may sound a bit pompous and may refer to something large but the opposite is actually true. Small in size (less than an acre) but the epitome of classical, Chinese garden design, these gardens is said to be what makes Suzhou so high in demand for visitors from around the world. Reason for its popularity is actually related to its size: the people behind the garden mastered the art of making gardens look and feel as it is much bigger. There will be ample time to get some great photos of both gardens.

After enjoying a local lunch at a restaurant in downtown Suzhou, we continue our trip by boat. Suzhou’s charming side is best viewed on board a wooden boat where local skippers take you on a romantic trip along ancient building with dangling red lanterns and small gardens. New perspectives are presented as soon as you turn under one of the stone bridges or taking a turn into what’s often called as the Venice of the East. Suzhou’s connection with the water becomes very clear after disembarking your wooden boat, saying thank you to your dedicated ‘captain’ and move to the city’s silk museum. The name ‘Paradise on Earth’ as what Suzhou is often referred to is also is tied closely with the silk industry; the first references made of silk production during the Tang and Song Dynasty pointed all towards Suzhou. The finest silk makers assigned to make dresses and costumes for the emperors and kings of these days were all Suzhou-based. The museum is the most recognized museum in the world where a broad array of this fine material is on display as well gives visitors an insight in the delicate and precision work needed to come to a highly-adored material for clothing by skilful masters of the spinning wheel.

It is time to head back to your hotel as we end our tour after leaving the museum. We’d expect to reach the driveway of your hotel at around 17:00 hrs.