24 Hours Hotline: +86 137-3541-1378
Email:[email protected]
24 Hours Hotline: +86 137-3541-1378
Email:[email protected]
Tour Style:
A relaxed one-day tour of Suzhou built around its most-loved old-town sights. Your guide meets you at Suzhou train station beside a Your Way Holiday sign, and from there you move door to door in a private air-conditioned car. The day links the Lingering Garden, one of China's four celebrated classical gardens; Panmen Gate, the only old city wall and water gate still standing in Suzhou, first built in 514 BC; Hanshan Temple, made famous by a Tang Dynasty poem about its midnight bell; and Shantang Street, a 1,200-year-old canal market street. Your guide books tickets, keeps the pace easy, and stops lunch at a local kitchen rather than a tourist hall. Vegetarian, halal or lighter requests are simple, and you pay only for what you order. At the end your driver returns you to Suzhou station for the train back to Shanghai.
Duration: 10+Hours
Attractions(Cities):
Lingering Garden, Panmen Gate, Hanshan Temple, Shantang Street
Pick-up point:
Suzhou train station (based on your requirement)
Finishing point:
Suzhou train station (based on your requirement)
Tour Customizable:
Absolutely! (Tell us your requirements in your inquiry)
Payment Types:
Cash, Wire, Paypal, Western Union, Alipay, Wechat
Available: Daily
Your guide waits at Suzhou train station beside a Your Way Holiday sign and helps with bags before you step to the private car. The driver knows the old-town lanes, so you skip the usual hassle of parking and shuttles, and the whole day runs door to door at a pace you set.
The Lingering Garden is one of China's four great classical gardens and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for how a compact space is split into halls, courtyards, rockeries and a central pond so the view changes every few steps. Your guide routes you to the best angles, explains the scholar-owner's design choices, and helps you find quiet corners before the crowds reach them.
Panmen Gate was first built in 514 BC and is the only surviving old city wall and combined land-and-water gate in Suzhou. You can see the rebuilt ramparts, the water gate where canal boats once entered, and a small museum courtyard. It is a short, mostly flat visit that puts Suzhou's 2,500-year founding into context before the gardens.
Lunch is left open rather than fixed into a tourist hall. Your guide takes you to a place locals actually eat and helps you order refined Suzhou dishes such as squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, sweet-and-sour spare ribs or a bowl of local noodles. Vegetarian, halal and lighter requests are easy, and you pay for what you eat.
Hanshan Temple, outside the old west gate, is known across East Asia from a Tang Dynasty poem by Zhang Ji about its bell ringing at midnight. The present buildings are mainly Qing Dynasty, with a bell tower, red-walled courtyards and a domed bridge. Your guide walks you through the poem, the bell-ringing custom and the temple layout without hurrying you.
Shantang Street is a 1,200-year-old market street lined with whitewashed houses along a canal, now a mix of old shops, snack stalls and teahouses. It is an easy stroll, and a good place to try street food and pick up souvenirs, with your guide pointing out the lanes worth turning down and the best views of the waterway late in the day.
At the end of the day your driver returns you to Suzhou train station in time for the trip back to Shanghai. If you would rather stay on for the evening, let your guide know and you can be dropped at Shantang Street instead.
The sightseeing day runs about 6 to 8 hours from Suzhou station. Add the train itself, roughly 30 to 40 minutes each way between Shanghai and Suzhou.
At Suzhou train station, beside a Your Way Holiday sign. The tour starts and ends at the station, or we can add a Shanghai hotel transfer as an extra.
No, on purpose. Your guide takes you to a local restaurant and helps you order, so you taste real Suzhou cooking and pay only for what you eat. Dietary requests are easy.
Fully private: just your party with your own guide and air-conditioned car for the day. The order of sights and the pace can be adjusted to your interests.
No. Your guide handles ticket bookings and station logistics on the day. The gardens and gate involve walking and some steps, so comfortable shoes help.
Yes. Tell us in advance and we can work in Tongli or Zhouzhuang, or swap a sight; small changes on the day are usually possible with a private car.
Optional extras help you tailor the day. All are private, fit around the main route, and are best arranged in advance.
Round-Trip Hotel Transfer
We can arrange a private car between your Shanghai hotel and the railway station at both ends of the day, so you are not hunting for a taxi with luggage. Choose a sedan, SUV or van for your group; your driver tracks the train timetable and shifts the pickup time if anything moves.
Morning Market in Suzhou
Start early in a working Suzhou market where locals buy vegetables, river fish and fresh snacks. Your guide points you to breakfast staples such as pan-fried shengjianbao buns, warm tofu pudding and youtiao dough sticks.
Tea and Pingtan at a Local Teahouse
Relax in an old teahouse for a cup of tea and hear pingtan, the Suzhou storytelling art sung to the pipa and sanxian. It is a quiet, local way to spend an afternoon away from the crowds.
Kunqu Opera Performance
Catch a Kunqu opera excerpt, the refined classical theatre that began near Suzhou and is a UNESCO-listed art form. Short sessions run at the Suzhou Kunqu Opera Museum and a few old teahouses.
Suzhou Pingtan Performance
For more time with pingtan, book a longer session at a local venue. Two performers tell a story in the Suzhou dialect to stringed accompaniment, and your guide can explain the plot as it unfolds.
Price Per Person in US Dollars
Personalized Travel Consultant
Experience the best of China with our expert travel consultants by your side. With years of local tourism experience, they are not only professional and knowledgeable but also deeply committed to making your trip unforgettable. Your dedicated consultant will craft a bespoke tour plan tailored to your unique interests, schedule, and budget, offering you the utmost flexibility. From the moment you start planning until the end of your journey, they will be in touch, ensuring every detail is perfect and that your trip runs smoothly.
Exceptional Local Guides
Discover it through the eyes of our exceptional local guides. All certified and experienced, they are passionate about sharing their deep knowledge of attractions, history, and culture. Whether you're interested in hidden gems or popular sites, they know the best places to visit. They can recommend top local restaurants, unique shopping spots, and must-see shows. Beyond just guiding, they provide enriching insights into the history, customs, and authentic daily life, making your experience truly immersive.
Premium Private Transportation
Travel in comfort and style with our premium private transportation. We offer a fleet of air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean, and meticulously maintained vehicles, all less than four years old. Our professional drivers, all locals with over a decade of driving experience, are friendly, courteous, and dedicated to your safety and comfort. Depending on your group's size, we provide a range of vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, business vans (MPVs), and spacious buses, all with ample luggage space.
Authentic Dining Experiences
We prioritize genuine local culinary experiences over pre-arranged tourist restaurants. Our local guides will recommend the best local restaurants where you can savor authentic flavors. This approach ensures you enjoy the freshest, most authentic meals, tailored to your preferences, and experience the true essence of the local cuisine. Whether your dietary needs are vegetarian, Muslim, Chinese, Western, Jewish, or Indian, we have excellent options to make every meal a delightful part of your journey.
Duration：10+ Hours
Attractions(Cities)：Humble Administrators Garden, Tiger Hill, Hanshan Temple, Pingjiang Road
Tour Style：A private day trip pairing a fast Shanghai-to-Suzhou bullet train with a guide who knows the city. Your guide meets you at Suzhou train station by a Your Way Holiday sign, then you travel door to door in a private air-conditioned car with your bags left in it. The route covers Suzhou's essence at an easy pace: the Humble Administrator's Garden, the city's largest classical garden; Tiger Hill, with its leaning Yunyan Pagoda and the Sword Pool; Hanshan Temple, remembered in a Tang Dynasty poem; and a relaxed walk along Pingjiang Road, where whitewashed houses and canals run side by side. Your guide books tickets, sets the pace to your interest, and takes lunch at a real local kitchen rather than a tourist set menu. At day's end your driver returns you to Suzhou station for the train back to Shanghai.
Duration：6-8 Hours
Attractions(Cities)：Humble Administrators Garden, Tiger Hill, Hanshan Temple, Shantang Street
Tour Style：A full day in Suzhou with your own guide and car, starting from your hotel. Your guide meets you in the lobby beside a Your Way Holiday sign, and you spend the day door to door in a private air-conditioned car with your bags left in it. The route covers Suzhou's classics at an unhurried pace: the Humble Administrator's Garden, the city's largest and most celebrated classical garden; Tiger Hill, long called the number-one sight in Suzhou, with its leaning Yunyan Pagoda; Hanshan Temple, famous for a Tang Dynasty poem; and Shantang Street, a 1,200-year-old canal market street. Your guide books tickets, keeps the pace to your interest, and takes lunch at a genuine local kitchen rather than a tourist set menu; vegetarian, halal or lighter requests are easy and you pay for what you order. The day ends back at your hotel or wherever you like.
Duration：6-8 Hours
Attractions(Cities)：Lingering Garden, Hanshan Temple, Panmen Gate, Pingjiang Road
Tour Style：A classic one-day tour of Suzhou, built around its most famous garden, temple, gate and old street. Your guide meets you at your Suzhou hotel or at the train station beside a Your Way Holiday sign, and you spend the day door to door in a private air-conditioned car. The route links the Lingering Garden, one of China's four great classical gardens; Hanshan Temple, made famous by a Tang Dynasty poem about its midnight bell; Panmen Gate, a 2,500-year-old land-and-water city gate; and Pingjiang Road, a preserved canal street of whitewashed houses and teahouses. Your guide books tickets, keeps the pace easy, and takes lunch at a genuine local eatery rather than a tourist hall; vegetarian, halal or lighter requests are simple and you pay for what you order. At the end your driver returns you to your hotel or the station.
Duration：10+ hours
Attractions(Cities)：The Master of Nest Garden, Pingjiang Road, Zhouzhuang Water Town
Tour Style：One long day that pairs classical Suzhou with the most famous water town, all by private car from Shanghai. Your guide and driver collect you at your hotel and ride into Suzhou, where you start at the Master of the Nets Garden, the smallest and most finely worked of the city's classical gardens, then stroll the canal street of Pingjiang Road. After a Suzhou lunch of dishes such as squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, the car takes you on to Zhouzhuang, a 900-year-old water town of willow-lined canals, stone arch bridges and old merchant halls. Your guide times it to reach the town as the day-trippers leave, then drives you back to your Shanghai hotel. The car is private and air-conditioned, tickets are booked for you, and lunch is at a local kitchen rather than a tourist hall.
Duration：10+ Hours
Attractions(Cities)：The Master Nets Garden, Shantang Street, Tongli Water Town
Tour Style：See two of the Jiangnan region’s finest sights in a single day on this all-inclusive Suzhou and Tongli Water Town tour from Shanghai. Your driver collects you from your Shanghai hotel and takes you to the station, where you board a first-class bullet train to Suzhou. Once there your private guide shows you the Master of Nets Garden, the compact classical garden famous for making little space feel vast, and the canal-side Shantang Street. After a Suzhou-style lunch you continue by private car to Tongli, an ancient water town of canals, stone bridges and Ming–Qing merchant houses, where Tuisi Garden and the Three Bridges anchor your visit. With tickets, trains and transfers handled for you, the day is simply about the gardens and the water — then a return to your Shanghai hotel.
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Becky was an awesome tour guide! She and Mr Joe, our driver, made a great team. They were so flexible. Becky was so knowledgeable and personable. She helped us so much! She had tips and facts that were pertinent and insightful. The sights she took us to were beautiful. She also picked an excellent restaurant for lunch, making great recommendations for what dishes. I will remember that amazingly flavorful meal for all my days. She helped us shop, translating between us and the vendors. She went above and beyond, lugging some of our packages back to the car and Mr Joe, so we might shop easier and taking photos and lending her phone to me, when I realized I left my phone behind and could not take photos. I was quite moved she would be so beautiful. Becky was lovely all the way round and an excellent traveling companion. I would recommend Suzhou Private Tour company; the prices are quite good and they are smart enough to hire people like Becky.
My 9 year old son and I really enjoyed our tour of Suzhou. We will be living near Suzhou for the next 6 months, so this was a great introduction to the city that we hope to visit again and again. It was also great that we didn't have to worry about transportation to and from the bus station and around the city. Our tour guide, Sarah, shared much of the history about Panmen Gate, Lingering Garden, the Silk Museum, and Pingajing Road throughout the day. She also took the time to snap a few pictures of my son and I together, which was a rare and welcome treat for us to have those memories recorded. The city was beautiful and we can't wait to visit again!
We were on a short visit to Shanghai and decided to take this trip to Suzhou after reading good reviews online. We were absolutely glad we chose this tour. May, our tour guide, she is very engaging, spoke great English and very helpful with everything from the start of the experience till the end. She was funny and informative and had good humor. The driver was also helpful which made the experience even better. Thank you Suzhou Private Tour company and guide May, worth recommending!
We arrived in Shanghai for business and had one day off, so we searched online for Shanghai side trip to Suzhou. We have booked a Suzhou Classic Tour. Our tour guide Cathy, sent her driver in the morning at the train station to collect my colleage and myself. We get the full experience on this tour from Lingering Garden, Pingjiang Street, Hanshan Temple, Panmen Gate and Silk Factory. Cathy was fantastic, fun and patient. She was attentive and went at our pace. She even helped us to navigate the crowds and made the trip better.
Our driver was also a very nice and patient. There was impatient weaving through traffic or impatient tooting of horns or craziness that we had experience with others that we had used during our trip. It was a very pleasant, safe drive bacl to the train station.
I would thoroughly recommend Suzhou Private Tour. Cathy is a very passoinate about her country and is a fantastic representative. Her English skills are excellent and she will certainly give you your money's worth. Highly recomend Cathy and Suzhou Private Tour company.
Please tell us if your availability for a private tour for 2-4 people on Monday Or Tuesday 3/25 or 3/26
What’s included in the tour?
Price?
Thank you
Replied:
Dear Hoan Le,
Thanks for your inquiry for Suzhou private tour service. This Suzhou classic tour is daily available. We sent you the detailed itinerary and quotation by email. Plz check.
And we highly recommend you visit Suzhou from Hangzhou by high-speed train, it's save time and cheaper. Thanks! Feel free to let us know if you have any questions or need any help. Thanks!
Suzhou Private Tour
Your Way Holiday - Your trusted partner for private tours in China!
What a fabulous day we had. We booked a one day Suzhou classic tour by email. From the beginning, all communication went smoothly and we even got an email from Suzhou Private Tour a few days before our arrival asking if there was anything else that we needed. Despite the cold weather we had a fantastic tour and Cathy kept things moving and interesting along the way. This Lingering garden was beautiful with many different settings to enjoy. We would love to see it in the spring when everything is in full bloom! The Panmen gate area of Suzhou is outstanding. Panmen consists of a wonderful garden with pagodas and temples, as well as part of the ancient city wall, including one of the old gates, which blocked access both from land and from water. The garden is beautiful, and the view from the top of the gate, especially at sunset, is amazing. The Silk Mill is also very interesting. We saw the life cycle of the silkworm, how the cocoons are opened & the silk thread released, spun & woven into fabric. And we got something original at a very good price. Much easier with someone there to guide us. The thing we appreciated the most was the flexiblility along the way.
Cathy is very informative about the Suzhou history, culture and life in China. We're very impressed with her command of English. Since we wanted to have drink in the city after the tour on our own, Cathy gave clear details on how to get back to our hotel and even checked up on us in the evening to make sure we came back safely.
Thanks to Cathy, we were able to see the highlights of Suzhou all in 1 day and without any hiccup. Many thanks, Cathy and Suzhou Private Tour, to give us a wonderful tour experience in China.
I must start my review by thanking our tour guide for the day Carol. So informative about sites and pleasant to be with on our all day tour in Suzhou. Was able to article many times the daily life in Suzhou and the surrounding area.
Best tip of the tour: book the train ticket ahead. The company tour operator left a message for us fews days before our tour to ask if we had booked the train ticket, they even gave us the detailed train No. and told us how to book it online, which was really helpful.
We had Carol as our guide and she was completely wonderful. She gave us an informative and interesting guide around Lingering Garden, Panmen gate, Hanshan Temple, Pingjiang Old Street and Silk Mill. Aside from the excellent English she spoke, she had a delightful and engaging personality along with a good sense of humour. What was also great (and a relief to discover) is that she achieved that difficulty balance between communicating key information and providing space in which my wife and I could enjoy the experience of being in these amazing places. Lingering Garden and Panmen Gate were incredible. Carol took us back to the Kingdom of Wu and provided insight into some of the superstitions and how it translated into the architecture, color and placement of buildings. All very fascinating. Lunch was very tasty at a local Chinese restaurant. Sitting with the local people during lunch was enjoyable as we got to soak up some of the local culture.
Thanks Suzhou Private Tour and Carol. Highly Recommend!
This was the experience of a lifetime and on my bucket list. I enjoyed it more than i thought I would. It was cold the morning we went in early Jan. but warmed up during our tour. Suzhou is a beautiful city and it has a number of beautiful gardens to visit. We visited the Lingering Garden, Hanshan Temple, Suzhou old town, a food street and silk factory. Lingering Garden was my favorite surprise during my whole day Suzhou tour. I dubbed it the "Garden of Ten Thousand Photos," because I literally pointed my camera randomly and get jigsaw puzzle-level beauty in every shot.
Cathy, our tour guide was great, considerate and really knew what she was talking about, she shared the history and culture of this city and sights. This is tour is perfect that covers all the places we wanted to see. We all had an amazing time with Cathy. Highly recommend!
Its my second time back in Suzhou and I really enjoyed it than my first one. Our tour guide Bob speaks very good English and very passionate about explaining Suzhou's history and culture. Out of the 5 places we've been that day the Panmen Gate and trip to silk museum were my favorites. It was also fun looking for our guiding Buddha on the Hanshan temple. I definitely recommend booking this Suzhou day trip. Its obviously cheaper when you make a DIY trip, but having a Suzhou local tour guide plus the comfortable trip is worth the price.
Highly Recommend Suzhou Private Tour!
We were a group of North American Faculty teaching in Shanghai. We planned a trip to Suzhou with some of our family members and decided to hire Suzhou Private Tours because of the excellent reviews and website we had seen on Trip Advisor. There were 11 of us so we arranged a private tour with a bus, driver, and guide. Our Suzhou day tour was better than we even imagined. Our guide, Ruby was extremely knowledgeable, spoke excellent English, and was very informative answering lots of questions from a group of curious college faculty. Lingering Garden was amazing, We enjoyed the walk around the garden and lotus exhibition. Ruby was very knowledgeable about the Hanshan Temple, sharing lots of information about Buddhism. We had a great time at the Silk Facoty, it was very informative, we saw the whole process of how the silk products were made.
We really appreciated how flexible Ruby was. We asked for a change in itinerary in the late afternoon and Ruby cheerfully made it happen. We had a great time and highly recommend that if you visit Suzhou, you should use Suzhou Private Tour and ask for Ruby!!! We gave her 5 stars.