Suzhou’s beauty doesn’t end with its famous gardens. Step off the postcard path, and you’ll find tranquil temples where cats nap under gingko trees, lantern-lit alleys whispering old love stories, and even a futuristic skyscraper shaped like a pair of “autumn pants.” Here are the rest five unforgettable Suzhou experiences that reveal the city’s living charm — where ancient serenity meets modern rhythm.

 No.6. Pingjiang Road — A Walk Through 800 Years of Canal Life

The heart of old Suzhou beats softly along Pingjiang Road, a stone-paved waterway that’s existed for over eight centuries. Whitewashed walls, arched bridges, and willow-lined canals create the perfect scene for slow travel.

Locals still live here, hanging laundry by the river or singing traditional pingtan ballads in teahouses. Visit at dusk when red lanterns shimmer on the water — it’s one of the most romantic things to do in Suzhou at night.

Traveler tips:

 Rent a hand-rowed boat to glide under low bridges.

 Stop by small cafés for osmanthus tea or rose-flavored desserts.

 Photographers love the blue-hour reflections after sunset.

 No.7. Xiyuan Temple — Cats, Calm, and Vegetarian Noodles

Hidden amid city streets, Xiyuan Temple is Suzhou’s most beloved spiritual retreat. Locals visit for blessings, travelers come for peace — and everyone comes to meet the temple cats lounging in the courtyards.

Walk across the Bridge of Blessings when you enter and the Bridge of Wisdom when you leave — a symbolic journey toward balance. Inside, 500 lifelike Arhats line the halls, each with a distinct expression.

What to experience:

 Eat “Guanyin Noodles” — a simple vegetarian bowl with mushrooms, gluten, and bamboo shoots (about 15 RMB).

 Feed the pigeons resting on temple eaves; they’re astonishingly tame.

 Copy a Buddhist scripture by the lakeside pavilion — a mindful way to slow down during your China tour.

 No.8. Hanshan Temple — Where a Poem Echoes Through Time

Few places in China blend literature and spirituality like Hanshan Temple, made immortal by the Tang-dynasty poem “A Night Mooring at Maple Bridge.” Every New Year’s Eve, visitors gather to hear the great bell ring 108 times, symbolizing renewal and good fortune.

> “From the Cold Mountain Temple outside Suzhou city,

> the midnight bell reaches the traveler’s boat.”

Stroll through the temple’s courtyards, light incense for good wishes, and listen as the deep bell tones roll across the river. Come early morning or late evening for soft mist and few tourists.

 No.9. Shuangta Market — Street Food Meets Design Culture

Want to taste the real Suzhou? Head to Shuangta Market, a reinvented local bazaar where old flavors meet new aesthetics. By day, it’s a produce market; by night, it transforms into a lively Suzhou street-food hub.

Insider tip: The market’s lighting and murals make it one of Suzhou’s most Instagram-worthy spots at night.

Top picks for your foodie list:

 Grandma’s Sweet Soup: taro and mochi balls topped with osmanthus syrup.

 Drunken Crab & Shrimp: marinated in Shaoxing wine — sweet, briny, unforgettable.

 Crabapple Cake: buttery, fragrant, straight off the griddle.

 Stuffed Egg Pancake with Pork Loin: smoky, savory, and dangerously addictive.

 No.10. The Gate to the Orient — Where Suzhou Touches the Sky

Locals jokingly call it the “Autumn Pants Tower,” but the 300-meter-tall Gate to the Orient is far more than its nickname. It’s Suzhou’s bold leap into the future — a modern landmark overlooking Jinji Lake.

Here, you can literally walk among the clouds:

 Sky Garden at 238 meters: the world’s highest Suzhou-style garden, complete with pavilions and bonsai trees.

 Infinity Pool: swim above the city lights as the skyline mirrors the lake below.

 Glass Sky Bridge: take a gondola ride through the “Heavenly River,” suspended 40 meters above the street.

Suzhou isn’t a city you just visit — it’s one you feel. Whether you’re sipping tea beside a lotus pond or drifting down a canal under moonlight, every moment whispers stories of elegance and patience. When you leave, the scent of osmanthus and the sound of temple bells may linger — gentle reminders of a place where time moves like water.