Things to do in Suzhou

Famous for its traditional Gardens, many people do not realize that Suzhou has much more to offer visitors. Suzhou has incredible cuisine, fantastic shopping, great site seeing, and a hopping nightlife to enjoy.

Kun and Pintan Operas:
Kun Opera is one of the oldest forms of Chinese opera. It dominated Chinese performance art from the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) through the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and originated in Suzhou. Peking (Beijing) Opera originated from Kun Opera. Its singing style is much more natural and sweeter sounding than Peking Opera.

Pintan Opera is a simple and very traditional Suzhou performance art. It consists of two singers sitting on the stage singing music and accompanying themselves on traditional Chinese instruments. The songs are usually Chinese stories. Some songs last a few minutes, and others can last as long as weeks, with different chapters being performed each day. The music is lovely and even though visitors may not understand what is being sung, it is a beautiful art form. Visitors to the Lingering Garden can see Pintan being performed throughout the garden.

Dining:

Eunuch Lane
Located near Guan Qian Street, Eunuch Lane is home to most of Suzhou’s oldest and most famous restaurants. It is a fantastic place to sample authentic Suzhou local cuisine and mingle with locals and their families.

Nightlife:

Shi Quan Street
Shi Quan Street is lined with bars to cater to every taste. From hopping night spots, to quiet pubs, this street is a great place to spend the evening and hang out with locals.

Shangtang Street
Home to more traditional styled bars, Shangtang Street is a great place to talk about business, or just enjoy your evening with friends and family. The street runs parallel to the ancient canal, which adds to the already rich atmosphere.