Exploring the ancient city's long history
Suzhou has a history of nearly 2,500 years. To explore the past of this ancient city, a visit to a history museum is a good way. Valuable artifacts unearthed in the area tell the city's mysterious story and take people into the depths of her history.
Suzhou Museum
When it comes to Suzhou Museum, probably everyone knows it. Suzhou Museum is divided into two parts: the New Museum and the Zhongyi Palace, of which the New Museum was designed by the famous architect I.M. Pei. The simple style is rich in Suzhou garden characteristics and takes into full consideration the need for practical functions such as lighting.
This museum has a rich collection of artifacts, paintings and relics. It shows the rich historical background and humanistic connotation of Wu. If you don't want to just walk around but have a more detailed and in-depth understanding of the museum and exhibits, you can follow a full-time guide or download the Suzhou Museum App for a self-guided tour. Every afternoon, the museum regularly shows short introductory films that visitors can watch to learn more about the museum.
Also, don't miss the museum's art store friends. The store sells many exquisite cultural and creative products, including postcards, bookmarks, paper ribbons, silk scarves and luggage tags. The designs are very clever and have profound meanings, making them a favorite for both collecting and gifting.
Suzhou Museum
1. Suzhou Museum will hold exhibitions, lectures and educational activities from time to time. Please check the official website for details.
2. Suzhou Museum is close to the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Lion Grove, so you can enjoy them together.
Admission: Free
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-17:00.
Address: No. 204 Northeast Street, Suzhou
Transportation: Take the You1 North Line/Route 178 to the Suzhou Museum (Humble Administrator's Garden and Lion Grove) Station, and you can walk to it.
Recommended Itinerary: Suzhou Museum - Humble Administrator's Garden - Guanqian Street - Pingjiang Road
Suzhou Museum
Suzhou Museum was founded by Chen, the director of Suzhou Museum, and collects more than 2,400 cultural relics from all periods of Chinese history, including nine series of bronze mirrors, celadon, stone carvings, bronzes, Tang three-color, antique ceramics, zisha, Tang and Song Dynasty porcelains, and ancient art, which show the Suzhou's deep cultural and historical heritage and exquisite skill level.
Tickets: Free
Opening time: 9:00-17:00 (Closed on Mondays)
Address: No. 20, Hongxi Road, Hushuguan Economic Development Zone, Suzhou
Transportation: Take No. 319 or No. 328 to Yuncheng Station, and then walk.
Recommended Itinerary: Suzhou Wudong Museum - Dabaidang Urban Ecological Park
Revolutionary Museum
The History Museum is a famous patriotic education base in Suzhou. The museum is divided into three exhibition halls: the New Democratic Revolutionary Period, the Socialist Revolutionary Period, the Reform and Opening-up Period and the Socialist Modernization Period. It introduces the history of Suzhou's revolutionary struggle through historical photos, documents, objects and other exhibits.
Tickets: Free
Address: 1216 Sanxiang Road
Transportation: Take No. 2/303/262 and get off at the No. 2 Hospital (Sports Center) stop, then walk.
Recommended Itinerary: Revolutionary History Museum - Xu Men - Pan Men Scenic Spot
2 Experience Charming Traditional Opera
Suzhou's traditional local operas include Kunqu, Pingbang, and Su Opera. With a history of more than 600 years, Kunqu is known as the "Ancestor of the Hundred Operas" and is the treasure of Chinese opera. The Peony Pavilion, The Palace of Eternal Youth and The Story of the Western Wing are the classic plays of Kunqu. Commentary is the general name of Suzhou commentary and play lyrics, which is a folk art form using the Wu language. Many singing styles and genres have been formed in the course of more than 400 years of development.
Suzhou has an opera museum, including the Kunqu Museum and the Museum of Commentary. Visitors can come here to learn about the history and culture of Suzhou's traditional local opera and experience its unique charm.
Chinese Kunqu Museum
Chinese Kunqu Museum is a museum with the theme of Kunqu. It has a classical stage and an indoor stage, and the exquisite architectural style and classical atmosphere make people want to go back. The indoor exhibition hall has exhibits such as costumes of jianghu characters, theater paintings, operas, wood carvings and stone carvings. In addition, a model of the kunqu performance venue vividly reproduces the grand stage performances of ancient kunqu. Visitors can learn more about the history and essence of kunqu.
Kunqu Museum
1. There is a special weekly performance of kunqu, "A Dream in the Garden", staged every Sunday. Tickets are required for viewing. In addition, exhibitions on various themes are held in the museum from time to time.
2. The Kunqu Museum and the Evaluation Museum are adjacent to each other and can be visited together.
Tickets: free admission, extra charge for watching performances.
Opening time: 8:30-16:30
Address: No. 14, Zhongzhangjia Lane, Pingjiang District, Suzhou
Transportation tips: Take Metro Line 1 and get off at Xiangmen Station. You can walk.
Recommended Itinerary: China Kunqu Museum - Evaluation Museum - Pingjiang Road
Tantan Museum
Tantan Museum is a museum with the theme of Tantan. Through the physical display, it introduces the knowledge of Tantan's debut, learning skills, and debut, as well as Tantan's performance standards. In addition, a model of a study house vividly reproduces the scene of a commentary performance in a teahouse study house in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, with detailed and interesting characters and props portrayed.
Warm tips: every afternoon, "deep wuyuan" bookstore (bookstore) will have a commentary performance.
Tickets: Free
Opening time: 9:00-17:00
Address: No.3 Zhongzhangjia Lane, Gusu District, Suzhou
Transportation tips: Take the subway line 1 and get off at Xiangmen Station. You can walk.
Recommended itinerary: China Kunqu Museum - Evaluation Museum - Pingjiang Road
Marvel at exquisite Suzhou handicrafts
Suzhou has a wide variety of handicrafts, ranging from silk and Suzhou embroidery to stone carvings, inscriptions and brick carvings, which embody the ancient people's wisdom and exquisite craftsmanship. Suzhou has specialized museums on a variety of subjects, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the region's history and development.
Suzhou Silk Museum
Suzhou Silk Museum is located in the North Temple Pagoda scenic area. The museum contains more than 700 artifacts spanning a wide range of time, from the Neolithic Age to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The museum's rich collections and detailed information show the history and current status of Chinese silk. In addition, you can also see the silk weaving machinery of different periods.
Suzhou Silk Museum
Tickets: Free
Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 (Closed on Mondays)
Address: North Temple Tower Scenic Spot, No. 2001, Renmin Road, Gusu District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province
Transportation Tips: Take the No. 101 bus to the Pingmen Station, which is a short walk away.
Recommended Itinerary: Suzhou Silk Museum - North Temple Pagoda - Guanqian Street
Suzhou Embroidery Art Museum
Suzhou Embroidery, as one of the Four Famous Embroideries of China, has a history of more than 2,000 years. The Suzhou Embroidery Art Museum has a breathtaking and lifelike collection of embroidery products from ancient times to the present day, showing the exquisite skills and extraordinary wisdom of embroidery artists. You can also learn about the ancient scenery and local customs of Suzhou through various embroidery products.
Tip: Live embroidery performances can be seen in the museum.
Opening hours: 9:00-11:00, 13:00-16:00.
Address: Inside Wang Song Temple, No. 274 Jingde Road
Transportation: Take bus No. 33/301 and get off at Children's Hospital Jingde Road Campus stop. You can walk.
Recommended itinerary: Suzhou Embroidery Art Museum - Huanxiu Villa - Guanqian Street - Pingjiang Road - Soochow University
Suzhou Museum
Suzhou Museum of Arts and Crafts is located in the Wu Mansion of Shangzhi Hall, which was constructed during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. Inside the museum, there are more than ten kinds of modern embroidery, sandalwood fans, wood carvings, stone carvings, Peach Blossom Woodcut New Year's Paintings, ethnic musical instruments, metal crafts, and literary treasures, and nearly 1,000 pieces of exquisite handicrafts. During the tour, visitors can learn about the history of Suzhou and marvel at the exquisite handicraft skills.
Suzhou Museum
Admission: $5 for adults.
Opening hours: 9:00-17:00
Address: 88 Northwest Street
Transportation: Take the Tour 1 North Line and get off at the Pishijie North Station and walk.
Recommended itinerary: Suzhou Museum of Arts and Crafts-Suzhou Museum-Humble Administrator's Garden-Suzhou Folk Museum
Suzhou Museum of Ancient Stone Carving Art
Suzhou Museum of Ancient Stone Carving Art is l
Tickets: Twin Towers Adult Ticket is 8 RMB.
Opening time: 8:00-16:30
Address: Inside the Twin Towers, No. 22, Dinghui Temple Lane, Phoenix Street, Suzhou
Transportation: Take You2 /40 East Line/89 /200 South Line and get off at Twin Towers Station. You can walk.
Recommended Itinerary: Suzhou Museum of Ancient Stone Carving Art - Twin Pagodas - Dinghui Temple
Suzhou Museum of Monuments and Inscriptions
Suzhou Museum of Monuments and Inscriptions, located in the Academy of the Temple of Literature, collects and displays ancient monuments and inscriptions, including the Four Monuments of the Song Dynasty, the Industrial and Commercial Monuments of Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Monuments of the Agricultural Economy, the Monuments of Modern Calligraphy, the Monuments of Ancient Calligraphy, and so on. Visitors can learn about all aspects of ancient times here.
Suzhou Museum of Inscriptions
Warm Tips: Wenmiao Pai retains important historical buildings, including Xingmen Temple, Jimen Temple, Dacheng Hall, Chongsheng Temple, Seven Star Pond, Minglun Hall, etc., which are worth a visit.
Tickets: Free
Opening time: 8:30-16:00 (closed on Mondays)
Address: No. 613, Renmin Road, Canglang District
Transportation: Take the No. 2 bus and get off at the Workers' Palace of Culture Station, which is a short walk away.
Recommended itinerary: Suzhou Inscription Museum - Canglang Pavilion - Keyuan - Pingjiang Road
Suzhou Brick Sculpture Museum
Suzhou Brick Sculpture Museum is a private museum located in a hidden alley. The museum has more than a thousand pieces of brick carvings of the Ming and Qing dynasties, most of which have been collected by the curator from all corners of Suzhou for more than a decade. Most of the brick carving materials in the museum are Lumu bricks, and each brick is carved with a different theme, such as figures, birds, animals and so on. It is both elegant and delicate.
Tickets: free
Address: 2-1 Su Fengli, Tianguanfang, Shixue Street, Gusu District, Suzhou
Transportation: take bus 33/301 and get off at Children's Hospital Jingde Road Campus stop. You can walk.
Recommended itinerary: Suzhou Brick Carving Museum - Guanqian Street - Lion Grove - Pingjiang Road
Suzhou Porcelain Kiln Brick Museum
The Imperial Kiln was a special brick kiln for the Imperial Palace. The Imperial Kiln Brick Museum displays more than 1,000 inscribed gold bricks of different ages, witnessing the rise and fall of the Ming and Qing dynasties and the centuries-old history of China. The museum's production room also showcases the process of making bricks in the Imperial Kiln, and visitors can also participate in the fun of making them.
Tickets: Free
Opening time: 9:00-17:00 (closed on Mondays)
Address: No. 95, Yangcheng Lake West Road, Xiangcheng District, Suzhou
Transportation: Take the west line of No. 808/80, and get off at the downtown central station. You can walk.
Recommended itinerary: Suzhou Imperial Kiln Gold Brick Museum-Huqiu Wetland Park
Suzhou Flower Window Museum
Suzhou Flower Window Museum is the first museum in China with this theme. The museum's collection is more than 3,300 flower windows of the Ming and Qing dynasties collected by the curator since the early 1990s. The museum displays 300 flower windows and some of the Ming and Qing furniture all year round, and the exhibits are changed every six months. In addition, visitors can take part in handicraft experience activities.
Tickets: Free
Address: No. 645, Jianggan Road, Gusu District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province
Transportation Tips: Take the No. 925 bus and get off at the west stop of He Run Jiayuan, which is a short walk away.
Suzhou Qiaosheng Road Museum
Suzhou Shengqiao Furnace Museum is the only museum in China that focuses on the culture of copper furnaces and was founded by Master Chen Qiaosheng, the inheritor of the traditional copper furnace making technique. The museum showcases the Chen family's collection of copper furnaces from the Ming and Qing dynasties, as well as master-made copper furnace masterpieces. Visitors can also learn about the complex process of making copper furnaces through exhibits of copper furnace making tools.
Admission: Free
Address: 268 Wanli Road, Yuanhe (inside the Yuanhe Cultural and Creative Industry Park)
Transportation: Take bus No. 827 and get off at Liqou Thermal Power Station, a short walk away.
Exploring Suzhou's unique culture
Suzhou has a number of museums with unique themes that help to understand its local culture. It is worth a visit. Suzhou's garden culture, folk culture, scholar culture, Chinese medicine culture, chamber of commerce culture . All can be found in specialized museums.
Garden Museum
The Garden Museum, located on the west side of the Humble Administrator's Garden, is the first garden-themed museum in China. The museum introduces the history of gardens and gardening techniques, among others. It is recommended to visit it before visiting the garden, which is helpful to understand the knowledge of the garden.
Garden Museum
Admission: free
Suzhou Coin Museum is a coin-themed museum with most of its collection donated by Sun. Visitors can see coins of different ages, formats and materials, among which the ancient "shell coins" of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods, cloth, knives, wives, and ant-nosed coins are especially eye-catching. Visitors can take this opportunity to learn about the origin and history of the development of money, which is a special museum worth visiting.
Tickets: Free
Opening time: 8:00-16:00
Address: No. 240, Northeast Street
Transportation: Take Tour 1 northbound/178/202 to Suzhou Museum and get off at Suzhou Museum, and then walk.
Recommended Itinerary: Suzhou National Treasure Coin Museum - The Humble Administrator's Garden - The Lion Grove
Suzhou Zodiac Stamp Museum
The world's first museum themed on the Chinese Zodiac Stamps, which collects Zodiac Stamps and stamps issued by a number of countries in the five continents since 1950, is one of the must-visit museums for stamp enthusiasts and researchers of the Chinese Zodiac. Visitors can learn about the culture and history of zodiac stamps while viewing the exhibits. The museum also has the Zodiac Post Office. Visitors can buy opening commemorative stamps and opening and closing commemorative covers, as well as opening commemorative stamps, "Zodiac Post Office" stamps and Zodiac Post Office daymarks.
Tickets: Free
Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday 9:30-16:30.
Address: No.2, Yanganbang, East Yanganbang, West Road, Hanjie Hall, Shantang Street, Gusu District, Suzhou City
Transportation tips: Take the subway line 2, and get off at the Shantang Street Station. You can walk.
Recommended itinerary: Suzhou Zodiac Stamp Museum-Shantang Street
Suzhou Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine
The Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine displays physical objects such as medical classics of the Wu school of medicine, medical equipment, and local medicinal herbs of Suzhou, and also introduces the deeds of famous local doctors. Visitors can learn more about Chinese medicine and feel its profoundness.
Suzhou Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Tickets: Free
Opening time: 8:00-17:00 (closed on Sundays)
Address: Next to the Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 314, Jingde Road
Transportation: Take Route 204 / No. 1 South Line / No. 933 and get off at the Children's Hospital Jingde Road Campus Station, and walk.
Recommended Itinerary: Suzhou Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine-Suzhou Embroidery Art Museum
Suzhou Police Museum
Suzhou Police Museum was once the inspector of Jiangsu Province and the inspector of Suzhou Municipal Government. After the Xinhai Revolution, this place was opened for the Jiangsu Provincial Higher Procuratorate (Court) Detention Center, had imprisoned one of the Seven Gentlemen Shiliang. The prison is called the Seven Gentlemen Prison. the M-shaped building was designed by Mr. I.M. Pei, the uncle of Mr. Pei, and is most famous for the guard room upstairs, which can monitor all the cells in all directions.
Suzhou Police Museum
Tip: If you want to have a bird's eye view of the museum, you can take photos in the building next to the museum.
Tickets: Free
Opening time: 9:30-16:30
Address: Xishanlong Lane, Siqian Street (Great Hall of the People)
Transportation: Take the East Line 40/931/511 to the Jiliqiao Station, and walk.
Recommended Itinerary: Suzhou Police Museum-Suzhou Planning Exhibition Hall
Suzhou Buddhist Museum
Suzhou Buddhist Museum is a must-visit museum for lovers of Buddhist history. The museum shows the historical traces and reality of Buddhism in Suzhou with exhibits such as objects, pictures and models. Visitors can get an overview of the temples since the Three Kingdoms and the Five Dynasties, see more than 20 statues of Buddha since the Tang Dynasty, and see a variety of good books, scriptures and artifacts since the Tang Dynasty. In addition, the life stories of monks and laymen since the Three Kingdoms and Five Dynasties can also be learned here.
Admission: Free
Address: Inside the Guobao Temple, No. 3, Chuanxin Street
Transportation Tips: Take bus No. 933 to the Drinking Horse Bridge Station, and you can reach it on foot.
Recommended Itinerary: Suzhou Buddhist Museum - Suzhou Park - Dinghui Temple - Twin Pagodas
Suzhou Chamber of Commerce Museum
Suzhou Chamber of Commerce Museum is located on Shantang Street, where Quanzhou Hall was originally located. The museum showcases Suzhou's modern and contemporary chamber of commerce culture, and through historical materials and exhibits, it gives us a glimpse of Suzhou's prosperous business scene.
Shantang Street is also home to a large number of merchants' guilds, such as the Zhou Gang Guild Hall and the Lingnan Guild Hall.
Suzhou Chamber of Commerce Museum
Ticket: Included in the Shantang Street combined ticket.
Address: 192 Shantang Street, Gusu District, Suzhou City
Transportation Tips: Take Metro Line 2 and get off at Shantang Street
As the name suggests, this is a Scholarship-themed museum, which should not be missed by those who are interested. The museum is located in the former residence of the Qing Dynasty scholar Pan. The museum contains many artifacts related to the scholar, including books, test papers, the winning scholar, plaques and official uniforms, as well as the scholar's calligraphy, seals, inscriptions and couplets. You can also learn interesting stories about Suzhou's scholar-at-large, such as scholar-at-large with blood relations, such as father and son, grandparents, brothers, uncles and nephews, and sons and daughters-in-law. There is also the exhibition of cheating with artifacts. You can feel the "wisdom" of ancient literati cheating.
Suzhou Scholarship Museum
Tickets: free
Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-16:30.
Address: Gusu District, Suzhou City, Niujia Lane
Transportation: Take the No. 178 bus to the east station of Guanqian Street in Xiongfang Bridge, and then get off at the station, and then you can reach it on foot.
Recommended Itinerary: Suzhou Scholar's Pavilion - Guanqian Street - The Humble Administrator's Garden
Suzhou Folk Museum
Suzhou Folk Museum, which is located next to the Lion's Grove, is a museum that introduces the folklore of the Wu region from the ancient times to the present. The museum displays many folk collections, vividly and concretely showing visitors Suzhou's wedding customs, festivals and food customs. The museum also has model displays of specific festivals and events, showing in detail the scenes of life in Suzhou in the olden days.
The museum is small in size, but rich in exhibits, and worthy of visitors' detailed experience.
Admission: Free
Opening hours: 8:00-16:30
Address: No. 32, Panru Lane, Garden Grove Road
Transportation: Take You1 North Line/202 to Suzhou Museum (Humble Administrator's Garden, Lion Grove) Station, and then walk.
Recommended itinerary: Suzhou Folk Museum - Lion Grove - Guanqian Street - Pingjiang Road