What to do in Suzhou this October

October will usher in autumn in the city. Osmanthus flowers sway in classical gardens, chrysanthemums begin to bloom and seasonal delicacies appear on the dining table. Together, they make Suzhou's autumn an unforgettable season. Here is a guide to what's happening in the city this month.

New Events

15th Suzhou Creative & Design Cultural Industry Expo

The grand expo will end today. The main venue at Suzhou International Expo Centre苏州国际博览中心 covers an exhibition area of 35,000 square meters, featuring 84 themed booths. It has attracted over 500 cultural and creative institutions and companies from more than 40 countries and regions, gathering over 1,000 categories and tens of thousands of cultural and creative products.

Crab Season

Suzhou's famous Yangcheng Lake hairy crab season is underway. After a year of waiting, October is the perfect time to enjoy the city's most anticipated autumn delicacy.

Scenic Spot Events

Tiger Hill Autumn Temple Fair

Photo/WeChat ID: suzhou-yllh

The fair features intangible cultural heritage performances and a special market.

When: Till Oct. 31

Where: Tiger Hill虎丘山风景名胜区

National Invitational Exhibition of Ornamental Stones & Suzhou Garden Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition

Photo/WeChat ID: suzhou-yllh

The exhibition aims to integrate natural stones, calligraphy and paintings with the changing views inside classical gardens.

When: Till Oct. 15

Where: Lion Grove Garden狮子林景区, Yiyuan Garden怡园

Moon Viewing at Panmen Gate

Photo/WeChat ID: szgsfb

There are themed performances, a traditional-Chinese-style market and free Chinese-style costume experiences.

When: Till Oct. 31 (Performances through Oct. 7, costume experiences through the end of October)

Where: Panmen Gate盘门景区

Mountain Flower Market Osmanthus Season

Photo/Suzhou Historic City Group

Over 30 vendors offer osmanthus-flavored food and traditional handicrafts. Visitors can also collect stamps and look for hidden stamps along the way. The venue features osmanthus-themed installations, a 15-meter-long fish lantern and lanterns from different regions. Shadow puppetry, magic shows and other performances will take place throughout the event.

When: Till Oct. 7

Where: Former Residence of Tang Yin桃花坞唐寅故居文化区

Osmanthus Market

Photo/WeChat ID: suzhou-yllh

Visitors can sample seasonal snacks, browse handmade crafts and enjoy the fragrance of osmanthus.

When: Till Oct. 25

Where: Guihua Park苏州市桂花公园

Traditional Chinese Culture Fair

The fair features traditional games, non-player character interactions and autumn-themed photo spots. Visitors can pick up a "pawn ticket" and complete tasks to redeem gifts and shopping vouchers.

When: Till Oct. 7

Where: Jianjinqiao Lane剪金桥巷

Yinyan Market

Photo/Suzhou No. 1 Silk Factory

More than 60 vendors gather at this market, offering pastries, special drinks, cultural products and handicrafts. Visitors can take part in games and stamp-collecting activities, and watch folk music performances.

When: Till Oct. 5

Where: Suzhou No. 1 Silk Factory苏州第一丝厂文化产业园区

The 6th Shihu Lake Moon Festival

Photo/WeChat ID: szgsfb

The festival features lantern riddles, a moonlight market, nighttime lantern tours and traditional performances.

When: Till Oct. 7

Where: Shihu Lake Scenic Area石湖景区

Sunflower Culture and Lifestyle Festival

Photo/Moonlight over the Lotus Pond Wetland Park

With non-player character interactions and folk music performances, the festival allows visitors to experience the sights, sounds and scents of autumn among flowers.

When: Till Nov. 20

Where: Moonlight over the Lotus Pond Wetland Park荷塘月色湿地公园

Yinshan Flower Valley National Day Celebration

The event features flower-seller characters, carriage parades, traditional Chinese clothing pop-up shows, lantern displays, bubble shows and iron-flower performances.

When: Till Oct. 18

Where: Yinshan Flower Valley尹山花谷

2026 Cross-Strait (Kunshan) Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival

Photo/Suzhou Daily

The festival takes place simultaneously at two places. Elaborate lanterns and installations create an illuminated spectacle.

When: Till Oct. 7

Where: Zhouzhuang Ancient Town周庄古镇风景区, Huiju Square昆山慧聚广场

Flower Appreciation

Osmanthus

When: Till late October

Where: Guihua Park苏州市桂花公园, Tiger Hill虎丘山风景名胜区, Humble Administrator's Garden拙政园, Lingering Garden留园, Canglang Pavilion沧浪亭, Master of the Nets Garden网师园, Couple's Retreat Garden耦园, Yiyuan Garden怡园, Beiban Garden北半园, Yaoshang Village窑上村

Sunflower

When: Till late October

Where: Moonlight over the Lotus Pond Wetland Park荷塘月色湿地公园, Suzhou Bay Sports Park苏州湾体育公园, Feng Menglong Village冯梦龙村旅游景区

Pink Muhly Grass

When: Early October to early November

Where: Suzhou (China) Flower Botanical Garden苏州中国花卉植物园, Feng Menglong Village冯梦龙村旅游景区, Yangcheng Lake Peninsula Farmland半岛田园, Wujiang Shengdi Ecological Park吴江胜地生态公园

Chrysanthemum

When: Early October to early November

Where: Lion Grove Garden狮子林景区, Lingering Garden留园

Seasonal Delicacies

Hairy Crab

Where: Restaurants around Yangcheng Lake阳澄湖美人腿风景区

Sugar-fried Chestnut

Where: Xiaoliwang小栗王(十全街店), A'nan Yeliwang阿男野栗王(金门路店), Jinliwang金栗王(十全街店), Xueji Roasted Goods薛记炒货(尹山湖店)

Taro with Osmanthus Syrup

Where: Xiangxin Eatery姑苏区祥鑫饮食店(十全街店), Chengqiang Eatery承强饮食店(干将西路店), Dududu笃笃笃糖粥(十全街店), Xiangmenli Teahouse相门里茶馆

Braised Pork

Where: Old Suzhou Restaurant老苏州茶酒楼·江南文化·苏州菜, Xiehe Restaurant协和菜馆(凤凰街店), Laochenjia老陈家(狮林寺巷店)

Mutton

Where: Cangshu Town藏书镇羊肉城, Dongshan Town东山镇, Zhenze Town震泽镇, Shuangfeng Town双凤镇

Sports Events

2026 SUP World Cup

Photo/Suzhou Historic City Group

When: Oct. 5 to 7

Where: Suzhou Railway Station South Square苏州火车站南广场

Ed Stafford Wild Challenge

When: Oct. 17 to 18

Where: Suzhou Jiangnan Botanical Garden苏州江南植物园景区