Hangzhou or Suzhou? Choose between Suzhou and Hangzhou

“If you like formal gardens, I think Suzhou is more impressive, but if you want a little less "city-fied" scenery, then in Hangzhou you can visit the tea hills at Meijiawu & Longjing - both very pretty.”

“In Suzhou, you can take taxis from one garden to another and not only get some excellent photography, but also probably get some inspiration/relaxation from the gardens themselves. By contrast, Hangzhou is on a much grander scale, hundreds of acres of a picturesque, clean lake with electric boats plying the waters and several causeways for walkers, electric cart riders. It has the typical pagoda, botanical gardens, island gardens accessible by boats, and tea farms surrounding the lake on the hill slopes.”

“I used to be partial to Suzhou, and still am if you are into contemplation/meditation and the singular beauty of classic Asian gardens. Clearly, this should be on your bucket list. However, for the variety of scenery and activities, I go with Hangzhou. ”

Hangzhou or Suzhou - Reasons to Visit Hangzhou

① Picturesque scenery of West Lake - Inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this incredibly picturesque lake area not only offers the most poetic lake views on earth, but also gathers numerous wonderful causeways, gardens, pagodas, pavilions, islands and tea plantations waiting for your steps. The “Ten Scenes” in West Lake also makes the place a charming fairyland with endless interest all year round. 

② Idyllic Longjing Tea Plantations - Located in the southwest part of West Lake scenic area, the picturesque wonderland surrounded by mountains with large areas of tea trees. The tea pavilions, tea houses you could see here and there where you could relax and enjoy tea. You could also wander around the tea terraces, catch glimpses of the different stages of production – cutting, sorting, and drying – and also buy the tea.

③ Cultural Experience and Recreational Activities in the City - There are various interesting typical museums in Hangzhou waiting for you to explore different cultures and art, such as The Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Hu Qing Yu Tang, China National Tea Museum surrounded by tea plantations, China National Silk Museum, China Museum of Knives, Scissors & Swords and China Umbrella Museum, etc. Moreover, the enjoyable cruising, picturesque hiking, relaxing biking and splendid night shows, all make Hangzhou more attractive, charming and colorful.

④ Surrounded by National Famous Vacation Destinations - Besides the downtown highlights of lake, rivers, temples, tea plantations, pagodas, gardens and historical blocks, Hangzhou is also surrounded by many national vacation destinations, including the nearest Xixi National Wetland Park (11km from West Lake), Qiandao Lake (129 km from Hangzhou; 1 hour by high speed train) with thousands of emerald islands, Moganshan (63 km from Hangzhou; 1.5 hours by car) - the ideal upmarket resort with great weather and amazing vista and China’s best bamboo theme park in Anji county (70 km; 1.5 hours by car), etc. Moreover, there are also many famous water towns near Hangzhou with only 1-1.5 hour driving distance, like Wuzhen, Xitang and Nanxun, etc.

• West Lake - The most beautiful lake in Hangzhou and world heritage site are surrounded by gardens, pagodas, temples and bridges.
• Longjing Tea Plantations - The best place to enjoy the No.1 tea - Longjing Tea (Dragon Well Tea) in China, explore tea culture, appreciate the charming verdant sightseeing and experience funny tea picking activities, etc.
• Linyin Temple - The oldest and most famous temple in a lush forest with an impressive landscape and Buddhist culture.
• Hefang Street - With brilliant culture and long history, Hefang Street is regarded as a typical symbol of ancient Hangzhou. Visitors can enjoy the quaint buildings, meet time-honored stores, sample the tasty local snacks and savor the interesting artifacts, etc.

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Hangzhou Things to Do & Activities:

• Cruising in Hangzhou - Hangzhou, an ideal city with rich and beautiful lakes, canals and rivers, is really a great place for taking a cruise tour. The West Lake Scenic Area, Xixi National Wetland Park, Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal (Hangzhou section) and Qiantang River in Hangzhou all offer leisure cruise experiences.
• Night Shows and Activities in Hangzhou - Visitors may admire the most notable and grand live-action show in Hangzhou - Enduring Memories of Hangzhou. Or sample its modern energies from its interesting music fountains and light shows such as West Lake Musical Fountain, Qianjiang New Town Light Show...
• Picking and Drinking Longjing Tea - Ranked the top on the list of Top 10 Famous Teas in China, Longjing teas are grown and produced in Hangzhou. Visit the tea villages in spring, you may also have a chance to try picking tea at tea plantations by yourself.
• Biking & Hiking - Hangzhou has long been a popular destination for cyclists and active travelers. You can cycle along the picturesque West Lake, luxuriant Longjing tea plantations, interesting historical blocks and magnificent Qiantang River, etc.

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① The Finest Collection of Asian Formal Gardens - Suzhou, known as "the city of gardens", classical gardens of Suzhou are generally acknowledged as the great masterpieces in the world history of gardening and nine of them are listed in the World Cultural Heritages. Suzhou gardens reflect the deep focus on natural beauty. You may visit Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden, Tiger Hill and Lion Grove Garden, etc.

② Entertaining and Educational Experience of the Chinese Silk Culture: Suzhou is the hometown of silk. You could see closely how silk is made from silkworm breeding to exquisite silk exhibits in Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory, appreciate silk garment and witness the change of Chinese silk at Suzhou Silk Museum and feel the charm of thousand-year sericulture at Taihuxue Sericulture Cultural Park.

③ Most Beautiful and Classic Water Towns in China - “small bridge, flowing river, families”, a perfect description of the water towns in the south region of Yangtze River. To enjoy the poetic idyllic scenery of Jiangnan water towns, Suzhou is the best place to go. Suzhou not only has the only water town with a World Heritage Site - Tongli Water Town, but also owns the “No. 1 Water Town in China” - Zhouzhuang Water Town.

• Humble Administrator’s Garden - Listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Humble Administrator's Garden in Suzhou is one of the top four classical gardens in China. It’s now the largest classical garden in Suzhou and also the archetyoe of imperial gardens.
• Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory - As a nearly 100-year old state-owned factory, Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory provides opportunities for visitors to see closely the real whole process of making silk. Unmissable for silk lovers.
• Tongli Water Town - Reputed as the “Oriental Venice” with its more than 1000-year-old history, Tongli Water Town is the only water town with a World Cultural Heritage Site. It is a perfect place to savor the features of old buildings, rich old rivers, simple folk culture of locals and all kinds of authentic flavors of old water town.
• Tiger Hill - Reputed as the No. 1 Sight in Suzhou, Tiger Hill enjoys enchanting natural landscape and a dozen historical & cultural relics. Among which the leaning Tiger Hill Pagoda is the most highlighted part.

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• Admire the Silk Production Process - Suzhou offers a great opportunity to explore the Chinese silk culture. You can explore the long silk history, the lifespan of silk making process and even take part in some steps of making silk.
• Water Town Boating - Taking a wooden boat to appreciate the waterscape in downtown and famous water towns near Suzhou is really fun. You can feel the previous prosperity and the past water transportation of ancient people on the old river, and enjoy the beauty of Suzhou from different perspectives.
• Listen to Kunqu Opera - Kunqu Opera, also called Kunju, is one of the oldest dramas in China with a long history of over 600 years. For its elegant lines from the classic poems and graceful singing, Kunqu is listed as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO in 2001.

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One Day Tour:

• Humble Administrator’s Garden, Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory, Zhouzhuang Water Town, etc.

Two Days Tour:

• Day 1: Lingering Garden, Tiger Hill, Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory, etc.
• Day 2: Suzhou Museum, Tongli Water Town (Retreat & Reflection Garden, Boating Experience)

Best Suzhou Tour: ✔ 1 Day Suzhou City Highlight Tour | ✔ 1 Day Suzhou Zhouzhuang Tour | 2 Days Best Suzhou & Tongli Water Village Tour

3 Days Classic Suzhou Hangzhou Itinerary

• 2 Days in Hangzhou: Visit West Lake, Linyin Temple and Meijiawu Dragon Well Tea Village, etc. to enjoy the unmissable sightseeing in Hangzhou for one day; The next day, enjoy a nice historical walk at Hefang Street, take the 0.5 hour sightseeing cruise on Beijing Hangzhou Grand Canal and wander around Qiaoxi Conservation Area to visit different typical cultural museums. Then take a high speed train to Suzhou.
• 1 Day in Suzhou: Visit one of the Four Greatest Gardens in China - the Lingering Garden; explore the iconic historical site in Suzhou - Tiger Hill and transfer to Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory for a great entertaining and educational experience, etc.

Best Suzhou Hangzhou Tour: ☛ 3 Days Hangzhou Suzhou Beauty Tour by High Speed Train

For those who still have time and haven’t been to Shanghai, they can plan a 2-day Shanghai tour before or after their Suzhou Hangzhou tour. Visiting the three cities together is also the most popular way to enjoy the beauty of the Yangtze River Delta in east China.

Best Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou Tour: ☛ 5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Highlight Tour

Visitors may also extend their tour to other nearby hot tourist destinations such as Huangshan, Nanjing, Putuoshan or other top cities/destinations in China like Beijing, Xian, Zhangjiajie, Guilin, Chengdu, etc.