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The arrival of March heralds the arrival of spring in Suzhou, and the city's myriad flowers are about to burst into bloom. Rapeseed blossoms have bloomed on Xishan Mountain, cherry blossoms have blossomed in Tandong Village, magnolias have blossomed in the Master of the Nets Garden and the Twin Pagodas, and the wisteria at Prince Zhong's Mansion will soon bloom in April. While traveling isn't allowed for the time being, it doesn't prevent us from experiencing this spring ritual. Pick a weekend and check out these beautiful sights.
The following places involve scenic spots, free parks, villages, etc. and must comply with current epidemic prevention policies and wear masks for orderly visits.
Best time to visit: mid-March to early April
Around mid-March, rapeseed flowers have begun to bloom, covering the mountains and plains like a golden sea of flowers. The spring breeze blows, and the small yellow flowers sway gracefully in the wind.
Cost: Free
Transportation: To navigate to Wufengding, you need to pass through the gravel plant at the pier, which is close to the Taihu Drug Rehabilitation Center.
Features: Relatively speaking, there are fewer people. The rapeseed fields are adjacent to Taihu Lake. There is also an abandoned house with mottled walls and broken windows that tell a story. There is also an abandoned cement factory that quietly tells the past.
(It’s a pity that you can’t see it this year, don’t make a wasted trip)
Cost: Free
Transportation: In the middle section of Chenglin Road, near the lake, you can find a place to park when you see the rapeseed fields.
Features: Located in the Yangcheng Lake Ecological Leisure and Tourism Resort, the "Beauty Leg" (Beauty Leg) resembles a slender leg from the air, hence its name. Hundreds of acres of rapeseed flowers, in vibrant golden and yellow, are in full bloom. Enjoying both the blossoms and the lake is a perfect way to fulfil your springtime fantasy.
Cost: Transportation to the island costs 15-30 yuan per person. There are paid attractions on the island, but no tickets are required to see the rapeseed flowers.
Transportation: Drive to the parking lot at the North Pier of Lotus Island and take a scenic shuttle bus into the park, or take a boat from the Yangcheng Lake Tourist Distribution Center to the island.
Features: It is the only scenic spot in Suzhou selected as one of the "Top Ten Rapeseed Flower Viewing Areas in East China". It is a small island with a total area of 3 square kilometers. The rapeseed flower planting area occupies more than half of the island, making it a veritable rapeseed flower island.
Cost: Free
Transportation: Parking is available on Taihu Avenue, or you can navigate to the North Taihu Scenic Area Visitor Center or Yuting Agricultural Products Park.
Features: Wangting Town boasts a continuous sea of rapeseed flowers, the largest in Suzhou's urban area. Bordered by Taihu Lake to the west and Wangyu River to the north, with the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal traversing the area, it offers a vibrant golden dream on one side and the understated horizon beyond on the other. The beauty of this sea of rapeseed flowers beside Taihu Lake lies in its fragrant, Zen-like beauty.
Fee: Free, but cars can only be parked outside the village. You can walk into the village or take the scenic bus to reach the rapeseed flower area.
Transportation: Navigate to Huolongwan Temple in Yangyi Lane, Beilian Village or Beilian Visitor Center.
Features: Tongli has hosted several rapeseed flower festivals. Wandering in this vast rapeseed field, basking in the warm sun, is very pleasant. There is an observation deck here where you can watch the rapeseed flowers from the air, and part of the field is an artistic rapeseed field (with shaped patterns).
Cost: Free
Transportation: Hubang Village, Luzhi Town
Features: Large patches of golden color dotted with emerald green cover the fields. A gentle breeze blows, golden waves roll, butterflies dance and bees fly. It is a stunning spring pastoral scenery.
Cost: Free
Transportation: Navigate to Xianggen Donglindu Resort
Features: Located in the countryside near Dongshan, this place has become a trending online destination. The wooden plank road weaves through a sea of flowers, perfect for photo ops. Besides the rapeseed fields, strolling through the village is also a beautiful experience. The gurgling river and the sight of wild ducks gliding on the surface create a distinctly Jiangnan water village feel.
Cost: Free
Transportation: Navigate to Piaomiao Peak Loop Road
Features: Famous for its ancient road and bridge, built in the 41st year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty. The road is lined with beautiful fields of rapeseed flowers. The small bridge, the ancient road, the ancient trees, and the rapeseed flowers create a breathtakingly beautiful landscape.
Cost: Free
Transportation: Navigate to Changyinsha Flower Sea
Features: Endless rapeseed flowers and colorful benches are perfect for taking photos. There is also a large lawn suitable for tenting, kite flying, and picnics. The recommended time for the visit is 1-2 hours.
Viewing time: 3.20-3.30
The cherry blossoms have a short blooming period, generally lasting about seven days. They resemble a light cloud floating above the branches, their shadows slightly translucent, neither overpowering nor pale, their beauty refreshing and elegant.
Cost: Free
Transportation: Navigate to Tandong Village. There are small parking lots at the entrance and inside the village. Turn right at the three-way intersection and walk 400 meters (there is a sign) to see the entrance to the cherry blossom forest.
Features: Suzhou's largest non-scenic cherry blossom forest, suitable for aerial photography. The entire hill is covered with cherry blossoms, which is very spectacular and easy to take photos (it is also suitable for hiking, and there is a Tandong convenience store in the village).
Cost: Free
Transportation: Navigate to Chengzu Road
Features: It's a bit like a cherry blossom avenue, with roadside parking available. By the end of March, you should be able to see cherry blossoms flying like snow. There are also Yuyang Mountain and Taihu New World nearby for fun.
Cost: Free
Transportation: It is recommended to take light rail and ride a bicycle
Features: These trees have a distinctly Japanese anime feel, reminiscent of a youthful schoolyard from a Japanese drama. They look great in photos from any angle and are perfect with a JK look or light-colored skirt. The trees are all around 10 years old and appear pale pink from a distance. Come and experience a romantic tram-style cherry blossom tour!
Fee: Ticket price 40 yuan
Transportation: Navigate to Shangfangshan National Forest Park
Features: There are more than 2,000 cherry trees, which looks like a sea of cherry blossoms. It is worth seeing. The cherry blossoms on the hillside cover the sky, and a breeze blows through the sky full of snow. It is very suitable for picnics. In addition, a flower festival is held in spring. However, the disadvantage is that there are many people on weekends and parking is also congested.
Fee: Free (12 yuan for Chongyuan Temple)
Transportation: Navigate to Xianying Lake Park (there are plenty of parking spaces on the road around the lake) / Chongyuan Temple
Features: Not only can you enjoy the scenery around the lake here, it is also suitable for picnics and kite flying, but barbecues are not allowed. The cherry blossoms in Xianying Lake Park are also very stunning when paired with the lake view, and the cherry blossoms against the backdrop of the Chongyuan Temple are also unique.
Cost: 12 yuan
Transportation: No. 38 Xiajie, Wuzhong District
Features: Standing at Tong Guanyin Temple, overlooking Dengwei Mountain to the south and Taihu Lake to the west, the temple offers a picturesque setting, reminiscent of the lush green mountains and clear waters, and a delightful pastoral landscape. Guangfu Pagoda boasts a hundred-acre Sino-Japanese Friendship cherry blossom forest and dozens of acres of camphor and chestnut trees, creating a tranquil and elegant environment.
Cost: Tickets 80
Transportation: Navigate to Qionglong Mountain Scenic Area
Features: The Sino-Japanese Friendship Cherry Blossom Forest on Qionglong Mountain in Suzhou covers approximately 40 mu (approximately 1,000 acres). This area features late-blooming cherry blossoms, with petals often overlapping. Every April, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the clouds of blossoms are breathtakingly beautiful, and a gentle breeze sends petals scattering across the trees in a dazzling display.
Fee: Ticket price 40 yuan
Transportation: No. 999 Linhu Road
Features: Cherry Blossom Avenue is located at the south gate entrance, with a total length of 665 meters and more than 700 Somei Yoshino cherry trees. When the wind blows, the ripe white and pink cherry blossoms look like snow, and the sun shines through the flowers.
Viewing period: March 19-28
When the peach blossoms bloom, they are bright and dazzling. From afar, they are as bright red as ten miles, like smoke and clouds, dreamy, intoxicating, soft and elegant.
Fee: Free (Personal Taoyuan, permission is required to enter and take photos)
Transportation: Navigate and search for Wanmu Taoyuan, where there is a Peach Blossom Festival every year.
Features: Peach blossoms bloom in March. Smell the fragrance, sip peach blossom tea, eat peach blossom cakes, and gaze upon the blossoming scenery. Arriving at the 10,000-acre peach orchard in Fenghuang, the scenery is simply stunning. Fenghuang Town, with its flowing bridges and stone-walled, tiled houses, is home to countless folk tales. The saying "a small town holds many stories" is truly true.
Cost: Free
Transportation: Navigate to Fengmenglong Village, Huangdai Town
Features: Feng Menglong Village not only has peach blossoms to admire from late March to early April, but also offers Hanfu rentals, peach blossom boat rides, as well as the Feng Menglong Memorial Hall, an oil shop, a bookstore, and more to visit. Compared to crowded scenic spots, this place is less crowded and you can enjoy taking pictures of peach blossoms, which is cost-effective and provides a strong experience.
Cost: Free
Transportation: Shoutao Lake Scenic Area
Highlights: Mid-to-late March is the prime viewing season for Taihua (peach blossoms). The peach grove is interspersed with a few weeping crabapple trees, and reeds surround the lake, making it a perfect spot for photo opportunities. The park's peach grove is located near Tianping Mountain, so it's recommended to enter from the Tianping Mountain entrance. The approximately 3km lakeside trail is ideal for picnics, strolling with children, and kite flying.
Cost: Free
Transportation: Located in the northwest of Tong'an Town, High-tech Zone, at the intersection of Provincial Highway 230 and Township Highway 155
Characteristics: Beiyao Village, located in the northwest of Tong'an Town, borders Suzhou Science and Technology City to the south, the vast Taihu Lake to the west, and Wangting Town, Xiangcheng District to the north. Provincial Highway 230 runs through the village, offering convenient transportation by land and water. Beiyao Village resembles the "Peach Blossom Spring" described by Tao Yuanming, with its fiery and passionate peach blossoms, their crimson blending with the green of grass and the yellow of rapeseed, creating a vibrant and full-bodied scene.
Viewing time: late March to early April
Pear blossoms are pale white and inconspicuous compared to other flowers. When they bloom, they are as white as snow and as transparent as pearls.
Cost: Free
Transportation: Navigation: Shushan Village, Tong'an Town
Features: Shushan Pear Blossom is famous for its 1,600 acres of pear blossom sea. Whenever the pear blossoms are in full bloom, there are thousands of them, white as snow, pure and elegant. If you climb up and look far away, you can see the whole Shushan Village covered with "snow", which is really fascinating and breathtaking.
Cost: Free
Transportation: Western part of Xishan Island (Luli and Yali areas)
Features: Every April, the pear blossoms near the Yuwang Temple in Luli Ancient Village turn into snow, which is called "Luli Pear Clouds". It is one of the eight ancient scenic spots in Xishan and a beautiful sight that cannot be missed in spring.
Best time to visit: March to early April
Magnolias have long been a favorite of scholars and writers. In Suzhou, magnolias are quietly in full bloom in gardens, parks, schools, residential areas, and even on the streets. Each blossom rises proudly from the branches, contrasting with the pink walls and black tiles, creating a truly classical beauty.
Cost: Free
Transportation: It is recommended to take the subway from Sanyuanfang Station, exit 3 and walk (from Pingqiao Street to Renmin Road).
Features: The trees on both sides of the road are all white magnolias, which can still be seen around mid-month. It is mainly recommended to take pictures of magnolias with buildings/window views/portraits. There are not many people at the moment.
Cost: 40 yuan
Transportation: No. 11, Kuojiatou Lane (you can drive or take a taxi)
Features: Magnolias are planted throughout the Master of the Nets Garden's promenade garden, in front of the Wanjuan Hall, in front of the Luhua Pavilion, on the Huangshi rockery, and behind the Tiyun Room. The warm-hued white cloud magnolias predominate, while the vibrant, rosy-colored Erqiao magnolias also appear. Most are currently in bloom.
Cost: Tickets 60
Directions: Navigate to Mudu Ancient Town, No. 188 Shantang Street in the ancient town.
Characteristics: Once the imperial garden, the Spring Scenic Area of Yan Family Garden boasts a lush, upright magnolia tree, so thick it requires two people to embrace it, and taller than any building in the garden. In spring, the tree is covered with snow-white magnolia blossoms, each larger than an ordinary bowl. Locals say the tree thrives because Emperor Qianlong planted it himself, imbuing it with imperial influence.
Cost: Free
Transportation: Navigate to Baitang Park parking lot
Features: It is an open park, especially suitable for picnics and outings in spring. Although it does not have the large-scale flower viewing areas of other scenic spots, it has many varieties. In addition to cherry blossoms, purple magnolias and white magnolias are also particularly stunning and worth a visit.
Cost: Free
Transportation: Navigate to the entrance of the Yushan National Forest Park parking lot
Features: The magnolia flower concentration area in Yushan Park is right at the Zhenhaitai Square of the park. Every year when spring comes and winter turns, they arrive as promised like fairies.
Best time to see: Late March to April
The rich and gorgeous tulips embody this fashionable and romantic atmosphere, becoming a beautiful landscape in Suzhou.
Cost: 40 yuan
Transportation: No. 47, Hengyue Road, Hengtang Town, Wuzhong District
Features: Tulips are primarily concentrated near the entrance lawn and the wisteria corridor. Tulips, the second most beautiful sight on Shangfangshan National Forest Park, are scattered throughout the park, lining paths or forming clusters, half-open and half-stretched. Individual flowers stand gracefully like delicate beauties, while clusters are vibrantly colorful, resembling intoxicated beauties. During the annual Hundred Flowers Festival, vibrant tulips are planted around the Dutch windmill on the entrance lawn. Behind them, clusters of early cherry blossoms, densely packed with blossoms and a blanket of white, create a breathtaking spectacle. Visitors flock to this magnificent spot for flower viewing, taking photos amidst the sea of blossoms, often unaware that they themselves have become part of the most beautiful scenery within.
Cost: 15 yuan
Transportation: China Flower and Botanical Garden Scenic Area, Taiyang Road, Xiangcheng District
Highlights: The China Flower and Botanical Garden in Xiangcheng District is a top choice. Spanning 3,000 mu (approximately 1,000 acres), it boasts 18 specialized gardens, including the "Flower King Garden" that boasts numerous rare and valuable flowers and plants. The garden boasts over 1,500 varieties of flowers and plants, totaling over 700,000 plants. Among the numerous flower varieties is a vast expanse of tulips.
Fee: Ticket price 60 yuan
Transportation: West of Huashan Road, Fengqiao Subdistrict
Features: In early April, the tulips in the garden are in full bloom in the warm sunshine. Barbecues and various recreational facilities are available here. It is also a place where many Suzhou children go on spring and autumn trips. It is still worth a visit.
Cost: Free
Transportation: Intersection of Zhongying Avenue and Jiangling West Road, Wujiang District
Highlights: The Tulip Expo, held for several consecutive years, spans 30,000 square meters and is truly spectacular. Building on the experience gained from previous years, this year's organizers have retained varieties known for their larger bulbs, longer blooms, and superior planting results. They have also introduced new varieties, including Mary Jo, Verandah, Red Mark, White Emperor, Antarctica, and Cabela. Remember to bring your camera!
Viewing time: April to early May
A poem says, "Only the peony is the true national beauty." Every year from early April to May, the peonies in the peony garden bloom in a dazzling array of colors, filling the garden with spring. The majestic peonies add a touch of brightness to the graceful Jiangnan water town.
Cost: 70 yuan
Transportation: Navigate to West Third Ring Road outside Yushan Town
Features: Shanghu Peony Garden features a collection of over 50,000 high-quality peonies, encompassing nine color systems and over 300 varieties, in addition to traditional Jiangnan peony varieties from across China. The vibrant, vibrant blossoms are captivating at first glance, captivating at first glance – a charm unique to Yucheng peonies. Peak bloom occurs between April 4th and 20th.
Cost: Free
Transportation: Lingyan Mountain Scenic Area
Features: Pavilions, towers, lush bamboo, flowing water, and winding paths lined with pots of fragrant peonies. The peonies at Lingyan Peony Garden are mostly wild hybrids with a long flowering period, lasting about two months.
Best time to visit: Early April
The branches are full of buds, blooming beautifully, and the purple clouds are like auspicious clouds, which are quiet and romantic.
Cost: Free
Transportation: No. 204, Dongbei Street (Main Building)
Features: Suzhou's most famous ancient wisteria represents the inheritance and continuation of Suzhou's cultural heritage. Wen Zhengming, one of the Four Great Scholars of Jiangnan, personally planted a wisteria tree in front of Prince Zhong's mansion, a feat that has become a literary legend. There's also a Zisun vine, which, when in bloom, resembles bunches of purple grapes, creating a refreshing and elegant scene.
Fee: Tickets vary, you can book your own tickets
Transportation: It is recommended to drive or take the subway
Characteristics: "Wisteria hangs from trees, its blossoms gracing the spring sun." Li Bai's poem surely captures the beauty of wisteria in this garden. April is the most beautiful month on earth, so of course, you should visit a garden to see wisteria. Humble Administrator's Garden: Curved Bridge in the Mandarin Duck Hall in the West; Lion Grove: Wisteria Corridor; Lingering Garden: Curved Bridge and Wisteria Corridor (over 200 years old).
Cost: Free
Transportation: Temporarily closed
Features: Suzhou's oldest wisteria, though it's a shame you can't experience its charm in person. The tree stands five meters tall, its gray-brown branches winding like dragons and snakes. Clusters of large flower spikes dangle from its branches, their purple tinged with blue, resembling clouds. Authoritative identification suggests the wisteria at Suzhou No. 1 Middle School is at least 800 to 900 years old.
Cost: 5 yuan
Transportation: Navigate to Xiyuan Lane, Liuyuan Road
Features: Also known as Jiezhuang Lu Temple, it was first built during the Yuan Dynasty (1114-1127), more than 700 years ago. The existing buildings were rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty. It is the favorite temple of Suzhou people. The vegetarian food inside is very famous. You can also copy scriptures and watch cats. There are wisteria in spring and ginkgo in autumn. It is definitely worth a visit.
Fee: 70 yuan (combined ticket for scenic spots)
Transportation: Navigate to Xishan Piaomiao Peak Scenic Area
Features: The Wisteria Path is located near the top of the mountain (hundreds of steps along the way are surrounded by wisteria flowers all the way to the top of the mountain). It is mainly used for mountaineering and sightseeing.
Bringing you a bouquet of spring flowers, so you can stand out from the hustle and bustle of the world. In March, why not take a moment to admire the stunning spring scenery of this ancient city? The cherry blossoms covering the hills of Tandong Village, the sea of rapeseed blossoms at Donglindu, the vibrant pear blossoms of Shushan, and the wisteria at the Suzhou Museum—all await your arrival!
