Tips for traveling in Suzhou during National Day holiday

The Mid-Autumn Festival is behind us, but the National Day holiday (Oct. 1 to 7) is around the corner. Planning a trip to Suzhou for the holiday? Here are some travel tips to help you make the most of your time in the city.

1. Holiday Weather

Photo/Weather China

2. Arriving in Suzhou by Train

Suzhou has a total of 13 railway stations: Suzhou Railway Station, Suzhou North Railway Station, Suzhou Yuanqu Railway Station, Suzhou Xinqu Railway Station, Kunshan South Railway Station, Yangchenghu Railway Station, Kunshan Railway Station, Taicang Railway Station, Taicang South Railway Station, Zhangjiagang Railway Station, Changshu Railway Station, Suzhou South Railway Station and Shengze Railway Station.

Among them, Suzhou Railway Station is closest to the ancient city area and offers the most convenient transportation (accessible via Metro Lines 2 and 4). Please pay attention to the station name when purchasing your train ticket!

3. Scenic Spots Requiring Reservation

Currently, the scenic spots and cultural venues in Suzhou that require real-name reservation are: Humble Administrator's Garden拙政园, Lingering Garden留园, Lion Grove Garden狮子林景区, Suzhou Museum苏州博物馆, Zhouzhuang Ancient Town周庄古镇风景区, Tongli Ancient Town同里古镇风景区, and Suzhou Amusement Land苏州乐园森林世界.

You can make real-name reservations and purchase tickets one to seven days in advance through platforms such as the "苏州园林官微" WeChat account (WeChat ID: suzhou-yllh), the "Jundao Suzhou" mini-program君到苏州, and the "Suzhoudao" App.

4. Extended Opening Hours for Several Museums

Suzhou Museum苏州博物馆

From Sept. 30 to Oct. 6, Suzhou Museum (excluding Prince Zhong's Mansion), Suzhou Museum West, and Suzhou Folk Customs Museum will extend their opening hours until 8 p.m. (last entry at 7 p.m.). The Library of Suzhou Museum will open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entry at 4 p.m.).

Suzhou Silk Museum苏州丝绸博物馆

From Oct. 1 to 6, Suzhou Silk Museum will open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (last entry at 7 p.m.). The extended service areas are the History Hall, the Modern Hall and the Future Hall.

Suzhou Opera Museum

From Oct. 1 to 7, the China Kunqu Opera Museum中国昆曲博物馆 (No. 14 Zhongzhangjia Lane) will offer extended opening hours from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (entry stops after 7 p.m.). From Oct. 1 to 6, the China Suzhou Pingtan Museum中国苏州评弹博物馆 (No. 3 Zhongzhangjia Lane) will open from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (entry stops after 4 p.m.).

Suzhou Museum of Inscribed Stone Tablets苏州碑刻博物馆

From Oct. 1 to 7, Suzhou Museum of Inscribed Stone Tablets will offer extended opening hours from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (last entry at 7 p.m.).

Suzhou Archaeological Museum苏州考古博物馆

From Oct. 1 to 6, Suzhou Archaeological Museum will extend its opening hours until 8 p.m., with last entry at 7:30 p.m.

5. Gardens that are Less Crowded

In addition to famous gardens such as the Humble Administrator's Garden, Lion Grove, Lingering Garden, and Canglang Pavilion, many other gardens are worth visiting: Couple's Retreat Garden耦园, Garden of Cultivation艺圃, Yiyuan Garden怡园, Keyuan Garden可园, Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty环秀山庄, Five-Peak Garden五峰园, and Chaiyuan Garden柴园 (Suzhou Education Museum).

6. Food Recommendations