5 days in Suzhou 苏州
Classical gardens and canals, 25 minutes from Shanghai.
By Charlie Simmon, Founder and editor · Reviewed 22 October 2026
The plan
One headline sight a day, with the evening left for food. Crossing a Chinese city takes longer than the map suggests; this plan does not pretend otherwise.
Day 1
Humble Administrator’s Garden
Eat: Squirrel-shaped mandarin fish
Day 2
Lingering Garden
Eat: Suzhou-style mooncakes
Day 3
Tiger Hill
Eat: Kernelled noodles (tang mian)
Day 4
Pingjiang Road canals
Eat: Cherry pork
Day 5
Suzhou Museum (I. M. Pei)
Eat: Biluochun tea
Where to stay
Stay within a 10-minute walk of a metro station inside the inner ring. Suzhou has a metro, so most journeys cost ¥2–10 and avoid traffic.
Getting there
Suzhou to Shanghai 25 min, to Nanjing 1h10 — use Shanghai Hongqiao or Wuxi for flights.
Suzhou has no international airport; most visitors arrive by rail.
When to go
The most comfortable months are March, April, May, October, November. Avoid Golden Week (1–7 October) and the Spring Festival travel period.
- January — not a peak month
- February — not a peak month
- March — recommended
- April — recommended
- May — recommended
- June — not a peak month
- July — not a peak month
- August — not a peak month
- September — not a peak month
- October — recommended
- November — recommended
- December — not a peak month
What it costs
Per person per day, excluding flights. Multiply by 5 for this trip.
| Tier | Daily | Sleeping | Eating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ¥300–500 | Hostel dorm or simple guesthouse | Street breakfast, noodle shops |
| Mid-range | ¥800–1,500 | 3–4★ hotel near a metro | Sit-down restaurants, one splurge |
| Comfort | ¥2,500+ | 5★ or boutique courtyard hotel | Fine dining and tasting menus |
Questions people ask
Is 5 days enough for Suzhou?
Yes. The city page budgets 2 nights, so 5 days leaves room for one headline sight a day plus a slower neighbourhood or food afternoon.
When is the best time to visit Suzhou?
The most comfortable months are March, April, May, October, November. Avoid Golden Week (1–7 October) and the Spring Festival travel period unless your dates are fixed.
How do I get to Suzhou?
Suzhou to Shanghai 25 min, to Nanjing 1h10 — use Shanghai Hongqiao or Wuxi for flights. Suzhou has no international airport, so most visitors arrive by rail.
What should I budget for 5 days?
Excluding flights: budget ¥300–500, mid-range ¥800–1,500, comfort ¥2,500+ per person per day. Multiply the daily figure by 5; hotels drive the difference more than food.
Do I need a visa?
Visa policy is national, not city-level. Check your passport against the current visa-free and transit routes before booking.