2 Days Ultimate Suzhou Garden Tour with Zhouzhuang Water Town

On this day, you will have a great opportunity to explore Suzhou, renowned as the "City of Gardens" and "Venice of the East," which offers an elegant and picturesque atmosphere everywhere.

Your first stop is a brief visit to the Suzhou Garden Museum to gain a clear understanding of the Classical Gardens of Suzhou, which consist of nine gardens in the historic city of Suzhou listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, continue your discovery at the serene Humble Administrator’s Garden, the largest garden in Suzhou, which is considered one of the greatest examples of quintessential Chinese landscape design.

Built in 1509, Humble Administrator's Garden is the finest example of a Ming Dynasty garden. Retired magistrate Wang Xianchen created this masterpiece over 16 years. He named it to reflect his desire for a humble life after public service. The garden has three sections: the expansive Eastern Garden, the distinguished Central Garden, and the exquisite Western buildings. With its ponds, rockeries, trees, and pavilions, the garden unveils scenic views like an unrolling scroll painting. As you meander along the circular route, be impressed by the intimate courtyards, elegant architectural details, and majestic artisan stonework while immersing yourself in the gorgeous poems depicted in each architecture. These poems reflect the notable attitudes of the owners. The Orchid Snow Hall, the main hall in the eastern part of the garden, gets its name from Li Bai's poem verse "Alone between heaven and earth, the clear breeze scatters the orchid snow" (独立天地间,清风洒兰雪), implying a pure and lofty character. Walking along the path, you will come to the House of Sweet-Scented Osmanthus, the main building in the garden, named after Zhou Dunyi's essay "In Love with the Lotus" (香远益清,亭亭净植), implying noble and elegant virtues. Overlooking the fan-shaped "With Whom Shall I Sit in the Pavilion", you will evoke the atmosphere of Su Dongpo's poem "With whom shall I sit? The bright moon, the fresh breeze, and I" (与谁同坐?明月清风我). Continuing your journey, you will reach Jianshan Hall, named after the poem by Tao Yuanming "Gathering chrysanthemums by the eastern hedge, I contentedly gaze upon the southern mountains" (采菊东篱下,悠然见南山). Every step in this poetic atmosphere is accompanied by architecture that tells a story through its connection to a poem.

Important tips for appreciating and photographing Suzhou Gardens:
1. Begin by observing the overall layout and composition of the garden from the map. This will give you an impression of the main themes and designs.
2. Take a tour of the garden with an open mind to appreciate its essence. Pay attention to the use of spatial techniques like borrowed scenery, facing scenery, leaked scenery etc.
3. Notice the architecture - its layout, forms, and how it complements other elements like plants, rocks, water. Understand the cultural significance behind the designs.
4. Spend time comprehending the mood and emotions conveyed through the names of the buildings and their accompanying couplets.
5. Look out for scenic views that capture the seasonal beauty of the garden.
6. Frame and photograph interesting perspectives using the garden's structures and scenery.

To delve into over 2500 years of history, you will visit Suzhou Museum, boasting remarkable architecture and impressive collections. Designed by the world-renowned architect I.M. Pei, this museum seamlessly blends classical and modern elements, preserving the traditional white powdered walls of Suzhou to evoke a classical ambiance while exuding a contemporary sensibility. The museum's distinct contours, strong geometry, and captivating silhouettes are truly awe-inspiring. As you step into the museum, you will find yourself enchanted by the beauty that filters through windows and dances with the rays of light. The scenery constantly evolves, creating a dynamic and captivating experience. While exploring the museum's halls, you will encounter a rich display of local Suzhou crafts and cultural artifacts from the Wu region. Among the treasures showcased is the renowned Sword of King Yu of Wu, along with other exquisite pieces like lacquerware, bamboo carvings, jade carvings, gold bricks, clay sculptures, and musical instruments.

In the afternoon, you will visit Lion Grove Garden, where renowned architect I.M. Pei spent his childhood. Built in the Yuan Dynasty by a Zen Buddhist monk, this garden is older than the Humble Administrator's Garden. The garden derives its name "Lion Grove" from the presence of over 500 lifelike and vivid lion-shaped rockeries, which have made it famous. The Qianlong Emperor, renowned in the Qing Dynasty (1616-1912) for his exceptionally long reign, visited the Lion Grove Garden six times and personally inscribed the characters "Zhen Qu" meaning "true delight". Inspired by the garden's artificial rockeries, he commissioned the construction of similar structures in the Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace) and the Chengde Mountain Resort. Explore this rock labyrinth kingdom with its nine winding stone pathways and 21 cave openings, and be captivated as you gaze in awe at the manmade limestone mountains adorned with caves and formations inspired by the nearby Taihu Lake. Marvel at the multi-story rock maze rising nearly 23 feet high. Observe the dazzling pavilions and learn the backstory behind each one. Don't miss the majestic waterfall and ancient trees that also dot the grounds. Wandering this fascinating fusion of nature and architecture will allow you to appreciate why it captivated emperors and inspired young I.M. Pei.

After exploring the gardens, unwind on a 40-minute cruise along the Grand Canal in a traditional decorated boat. As you drift leisurely along the clear green waters, experience the romantic charm of Suzhou's Jiangnan water towns. You'll pass through ten ancient city gates and encounter over 20 uniquely styled bridges along the canal. On board, savor tea and enjoy Pingtan musical storytelling performances. This relaxing boat tour fully immerses you in the gentle pace of life in Suzhou, just as the line goes - "When you come to Suzhou, every household lives along the river". After the cruise, your next stop is Shantang Street, reputedly Suzhou's No. 1 Ancient Street with over 1100 years of history. Wandering along, discover the various shops, temples, pagodas, memorial archways, guild halls, mansions, bridges and traditional Chinese architecture lining the street. Make time to visit the Bai Juyi Memorial Hall to learn about this prominent Tang Dynasty poet and official who helped develop the area. Shantang Street is also a great place to sample famous local Suzhou snacks as you explore this well-preserved slice of old Suzhou.

Option for Suzhou Evening Tour:
Night Performance at Master of the Nets Garden (夜游网师园;19:30-22:00)

The Master of the Nets Garden is celebrated for its small yet elegant design. Regarded as the pinnacle of small-scale gardens in Suzhou, the Master of the Nets Garden is considered to be the most exquisite of Suzhou's famed classical gardens. The Master of the Nets Garden comes alive at night with lively dance, music, and opera performances staged amidst the garden's elegant architecture. Follow your guide from pavilion to pavilion and immerse yourself in eight local performing arts specialties, including Kunqu Opera (昆曲) and Pingtan (评弹Suzhou-style ballad singing), as well as folk dance, traditional Chinese instrumental music, and even comedy. After the performance, feel free to explore the garden in a new light. (Tip: The performances take place from 19:30 to 22:00. from mid-Mar. to mid-Nov.)

After breakfast, you will visit the iconic Suzhou landmark - Tiger Hill (Hu Qiu), known as the "Number One Mountain in Wu Region". This site holds cultural significance related to prominent Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi. He oversaw the excavation of the Shantang River, forming Shantang Street and creating the poetic transportation route of "Seven Li Shantang to Tiger Hill". “From the road leading to Kaishan Temple, water and land traffic frequently intermingled. Silver bridles guided spirited horses, while flower boats carried beautiful women” (自开山寺路,水陆往来频。银勒牵骄马,花船载丽人). At Tiger Hill, marvel at the renowned Tiger Hill Pagoda, the oldest surviving brick pagoda in China and sole remaining structure from the Five Dynasties period. Its architectural style embodies Tang and Song aesthetics. Tiger Hill Pagoda is often called the "Leaning Tower of China." Also explore the Sword Pond at Tiger Hill, said to be the entrance to the tomb of King Helü of Wu with three thousand treasure swords buried below. As described in a poem, "Bizarre rocks with a thousand monks seated, a mystical pond where a sword rests deep. The Hai Dang Pavilion on both sides, the mountain at the heart of the temple" (怪石千僧坐,灵池一剑沉。海当亭两面,山在寺中心).

After exploring Suzhou, transfer to the famous Zhouzhuang Water Town, located about an hour away (approximately 47km from Tiger Hill). As the premier water town in the Jiangnan region and selected as one of CNN's "Top Ten Most Beautiful Towns in the World", Zhouzhuang is renowned for its well-preserved Ming and Qing architectural ensembles that showcase the traditional charm of a water town. With a history spanning 900 years, over 60% of the buildings in Zhouzhuang proudly retain their original style. The picturesque scenery of bridges, canals, and traditional homes gained worldwide fame through the renowned painting "Double Bridges" by artist Chen Yifei (陈逸飞) in 1983.

As you step into Zhouzhuang, take a leisurely stroll on the Fu'an Bridge, where you can admire the scenic beauty of the Jiangnan landscape with the Double Bridges as a backdrop. Along the river, visit Shen Hall, known as the "Seven Entries and Five Gate Towers," featuring a typical architectural layout of a "front hall and rear hall." Make sure to also visit Zhang Hall, which bears witness to the saying "Entering by sedan chair through the front gate and departing by boat from the backyard." Immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of Zhouzhuang by visiting the Zhouzhuang Museum, where you can explore the traditions and heritage of this thousand-year-old water town. Time will stand still as you savor the moments and conclude your day at a leisurely pace.

After the tour, you will be escorted back to Suzhou or transfer to next destination like Shanghai or Hangzhou. Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT) for your China tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia.