Suzhou is China's most visited garden city and an easy comparison with Yangzhou's gardens. The Humble Administrator's Garden and the Lingering Garden are UNESCO-listed, and the Pingjiang Road canal street is a good walking area.
Suzhou is China's most visited garden city and an easy comparison with Yangzhou's gardens. The Humble Administrator's Garden and the Lingering Garden are UNESCO-listed, and the Pingjiang Road canal street is a good walking area.
Because of the longer travel time, an overnight stay or an early start is recommended.
| Distance | About 220 km southeast |
|---|---|
| Travel time | About 1 hour 20 minutes by high-speed rail |
| Getting there | High-speed train from Yangzhou East to Suzhou (about 1 hour 20 minutes, CNY 130-170, approx USD 18-24) via Zhenjiang or Nanjing connections; book on 12306 or Trip.com. |
| Difficulty | medium |
| Address | Humble Administrator's Garden, 178 Dongbei Street, Gusu District, Suzhou (苏州市姑苏区东北街178号拙政园) |
How to get there
- HSR Yangzhou East to Suzhou: about 1 hour 20 minutes, CNY 130-170 (~$18-24)
- Connect via Zhenjiang HSR if no direct service
Suggested itinerary
- 07:30 Train to Suzhou
- 09:30 Humble Administrator's Garden
- 12:30 Pingjiang Road lunch
- 15:00 Lingering Garden
- 18:00 Train back
Location
Humble Administrator's Garden, 178 Dongbei Street, Gusu District, Suzhou (苏州市姑苏区东北街178号拙政园)
31.3247, 120.6290 View on map
Highlights
- Humble Administrator's Garden
- Pingjiang Road
- Lingering Garden
Tips for visiting
- Take an early train
- Book garden tickets online
- Use the metro
When to visit
Spring and autumn weekdays
Accessibility
Gardens have steps and uneven paths.
Frequently asked questions
Is Suzhou doable in one day?
Yes with an early start.
How is it different from Yangzhou?
Suzhou has the more famous scholar gardens; Yangzhou's are merchant gardens.