Suzhou Slow Travel Guide｜Xiyuan Temple·Humble Administrator's Garden·Suzhou Museum

Suzhou has a long history and a new scene at every step. This trip is full of cultural atmosphere. You will walk into the thousand-year-old Xiyuan Temple and encounter cats; appreciate the beauty of Jiangnan gardens in the Humble Administrator's Garden; and immerse yourself in the architectural design and historical relics of Master I.M. Pei in the Suzhou Museum. If you yearn for a slow life, this ancient water town is definitely worth a visit!

🐾 Saionji｜Cat lovers’ paradise, a must-try for vegetarian food!
Xiyuan Temple is a famous ancient temple in Suzhou. The most special thing is that there are so many 🐱 cats here! They bask in the sun lazily, and occasionally come over to you and act coquettishly. It is simply a paradise for cat lovers!

✨ Must-try experience:
🔹 Vegetarian food: The temple is famous for its vegetarian food. The vegetarian buns have thin skin, rich fillings and a delicate taste!
🔹 Free incense: You will receive a free incense stick when you enter, and you can pray in the courtyard
🔹 Tranquil Zen: The courtyard is quiet and suitable for slow travel and feeling the Zen atmosphere of Suzhou

📍 Address: No. 18, Xiyuan Lane, Liuyuan Road, Gusu District, Suzhou City
⏰ Opening hours: 07:00–17:00
🎫 Tickets: Free

🌳 Humble Administrator's Garden｜The most famous garden in Jiangnan
As the largest classical garden in Suzhou, Humble Administrator's Garden fully demonstrates the Jiangnan charm of "a new scene at every step". The pavilions, towers, bridges, flowing water and lush greenery make people feel as if they are in an ink painting.

✨ Highlights:
🏯 Xiao Feihong - the most classic pavilion on the water in Humble Administrator's Garden, the reflection and the lake complement each other, beautiful beyond words
🌿 Four seasons of flowers - spring peony, summer lotus, autumn osmanthus, winter plum blossom, each with its own charm
📸 Best check-in spot - standing in front of Liuting Pavilion, you can take pictures of the pool and stone bridge, and capture the full Jiangnan style

📍 Address: No. 178, Northeast Street, Gusu District, Suzhou City
⏰ Opening hours: 07:30–17:30
🎫 Tickets: 70 yuan in peak season (March-November), 40 yuan in off-season (December-February)

🏛️ Suzhou Museum｜Architectural classics by I.M. Pei
Designed by the master architect I.M. Pei, this museum is his final work, a perfect blend of Suzhou gardens and modern architecture. With white walls and gray tiles, and the interweaving of light and shadow, every corner is full of artistic sense, and every shot can be a blockbuster!

✨ Must-see exhibits:
🏺 Wu Wang Fu Chai's Sword——A precious cultural relic from the Spring and Autumn Period, of great historical value
🎨 Paintings and calligraphy from the Ming and Qing Dynasties - The museum houses a large number of paintings and calligraphy by famous Jiangnan artists, which art lovers should not miss
🏯 Garden-style design - the atrium waterscape design is simple and Zen-like, with oriental aesthetics

📍Address: No. 204, Northeast Street, Gusu District, Suzhou City
⏰ Opening hours: 09:00–17:00 (closed on Mondays)
🎫 Tickets: Free, but reservations must be made online in advance

🎏 Suzhou travel tips
✔ Avoid the crowds: It is recommended to visit Humble Administrator's Garden in the morning or evening to avoid the peak tourist season
✔ Suzhou Museum reservation: Suzhou Museum is free but popular, it is recommended to make an online reservation in advance
✔ Food recommendation: There is a time-honored restaurant called Songhelou nearby, you must try the Suzhou-style noodle soup and squirrel fish
✔ Transportation: You can ride a shared bicycle or walk between attractions to experience the Suzhou water village style along the way

🌸 The beauty of Suzhou is warm and delicate, and it is worth savoring slowly. Waiting for you to check in!

#SuzhouTourism #GardenBeauty #SuzhouMuseum #HumbleAdministratorGarden #XiyuanTemple
#Mainland Travel

Post by 哈库呐 | Apr 3, 2025