Stretching 1,606 meters (about 1 mile), Pingjiang Road is a stone-paved path running parallel to the Pingjiang River—an old canal that keeps the area’s classic Chinese water town charm alive. Stone bridges span the river, while houses with white walls and black tiles line the road. Locals wander leisurely here, offering a glimpse of traditional Suzhou daily life. Its nostalgic vibe has made it an icon of Suzhou’s ancient city. The road is crisscrossed by small alleys; once home to historical figures, many of these alleyside old residences now operate as bars, teahouses, and cafes—all while keeping their original appearance.

Situated in Gusu District, within Suzhou’s ancient city, Suzhou Museum sits next to the Humble Administrator’s Garden. It first opened in 1960, housed in the former Prince Zhong’s Mansion. Its new exhibition building—designed by world-renowned Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei—opened to the public in October 2006. The museum’s collection is rich: it includes porcelains, revolutionary relics, celadon (a standout piece), Ming and Qing Dynasty (1368–1911) handicrafts, calligraphy, and paintings. These artifacts fully reflect the history, art, and culture of Suzhou and the Yangtze River Delta.

As Suzhou’s largest and most famous garden, the Humble Administrator’s Garden holds multiple distinctions: it’s a World Cultural Heritage site, a National Key Cultural Relic Protected Unit, and a national-level key tourist attraction. Its unique design and serene beauty set it apart. The garden was built on the remains of an old residence and a Taoist temple. Water is its central feature, paired with natural landscapes like small woods, hills, and rock formations. Man-made structures—pavilions, halls, and parlors—blend seamlessly with the nature around them. Unlike Beijing’s Grand View Garden and other imperial-style gardens, it stands as a masterpiece of China’s delicate private garden style. The garden is divided into Eastern, Central, and Western sections, plus the former residences of its past owners.

Tongli is one of the six renowned ancient water towns in the Yangtze River Delta, celebrated for its rivers, old bridges, and traditional building clusters. It’s an ideal destination to experience authentic rural Chinese water town life, with a wealth of cultural heritage. Its highlights include traditional residences, gardens, and temples—all preserving the town’s historic character. During your visit, you’ll take a boat ride along Tongli’s canals to soak in its scenic beauty.

Tuisi Garden (Retreat and Reflection Garden) is the most impressive garden in Tongli. Its design is cleverly tailored to the local terrain and conditions. The western part of the garden is a residential area, with an outer and inner courtyard that includes a sedan hall, tea hall, main reception hall, and two buildings for living. The eastern garden features ponds, marble boats, waterside pavilions, halls, kiosks, verandas, rockeries, and bridges—all arranged to create a harmonious, scenic space.