Suzhou (苏州) is a canal-laced city in Jiangsu province, eastern China, about 25 minutes by high-speed train from Shanghai. It is famous for its classical gardens, several of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites, its whitewashed lanes and stone bridges, and its silk and Kunqu opera traditions. Suzhou has been called the Venice of the East for more than 2,500 years of waterside history.
Top food tours
Guided experiences that show you Suzhou through its food.
Book a food tour in Suzhou
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Tour formats
Different ways to experience Suzhou's food scene.
Cooking classes
Take a piece of Suzhou home with you.
Dumpling-Making Class in a Local Courtyard (via GetYourGuide day trip)
Hands-on class folding Suzhou-style pork and bamboo shoot dumplings in a family courtyard, capped at 10 participants
Private cooking sessions
Some private tour operators in Suzhou add cooking or market-and-cook sessions on request; confirm availability directly with the operator
DIY self-guided food tour
A self-guided loop of roughly 3-4 hours through the old town on foot, using Dianping or Meituan for queue checks and Alipay or WeChat Pay for payment.
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1
Zhu Hong Xing noodle house, Guanqian Street (朱鸿兴)
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2
Songhe Lou, 72 Taijian Lane (松鹤楼, 太监弄72号)
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3
Tong De Xing, 728 Shiquan Street (同德兴, 十全街728号)
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4
Pingjiang Road (平江路)
Foodie tips
Get more out of every meal.
Book guided tours ahead in October and November when hairy crab season raises demand
Eat lightly earlier in the day before a food tour; most include over a dozen tastings
Tell the operator about allergies and dietary needs in advance, especially shellfish and pork
Confirm the exact meeting point and start time on the booking page or by message before the day