All-in-one guide for you to explore Suzhou in June

With flowers in full bloom and seasonal delicacies arriving one after another, June is one of the best times to explore Suzhou. Here's your guide to making the most of early summer in the city.

Reopenings

Lotus Market

One of Suzhou's most popular summer events is back. The market will expand to more locations, including Baita West Road 白塔西路 , Tiger Hill Flower Paradise 虎丘花事 , MixC World 苏州万象天地 and Flower Lane Industrial Park 安和锦·花里巷产业园 . Lotus-themed banquets and tourist routes will also be available.

Suzhou Amusement Land Water World

The water park 苏州乐园森林水世界 is set to reopen on June 19, when a "WATERPOP music season" will be launched. Combining music, interactions and water attractions, it promises a summer party filled with live performances, immersive activities and exciting rides.

Suzhou No. 1 Silk Factory

The 100-year-old factory 苏州第一丝厂文化产业园区 reopened on Friday after a major renovation. Blending lifestyle aesthetics, digital technology and contemporary trends, the revitalized site aims to become a new cultural and industrial landmark.

Photo: Suzhou No. 1 Silk Factory

Flowers

Pomegranate

When: Till mid-June

Where: Humble Administrator's Garden 拙政园 , Tiger Hill 虎丘山风景名胜区 , Yiyuan Garden 怡园 , Lingering Garden 留园 , Garden of Cultivation 艺圃 , Keyuan Garden 可园

Trumpet Vine

When: Till early Aug.

Where: Humble Administrator's Garden 拙政园 , Lion Grove Garden 狮子林景区 , Tiger Hill 虎丘山风景名胜区 , Master-of-Nets Garden 网师园 , Garden of Cultivation 艺圃 , Pingjiang Road 平江路历史街区 , Shantang Street 山塘街 , Huangfeiji 皇废基 , Taiping Old Street 苏州太平老街

Vervain

When: Till late Sept.

Where: Xijing Bay Flower Sea 西京湾花海 , Yangcheng Lake Peninsula 苏州阳澄湖半岛旅游度假区 , Fengmenglong Village 冯梦龙村 , Wujiang Shengdi Ecological Park 吴江胜地生态公园 , Tongguan Mountain 铜官山

Water Lily

When: Till late Aug.

Where: Tiger Hill Wetland Park 苏州虎丘湿地公园 , Lotus Pond Wetland Park 荷塘月色湿地公园 , Qiyuan Garden 启园 , Baima Stream and Longchi Pond Scenic Area 白马涧龙池景区 , Tinglin Garden 昆山亭林园景区

Hydrangea

When: Till late Aug.

Where: Shangfang Mountain National Forest Park 苏州上方山国家森林公园 , Jinji Lake Hydrangea Garden 金鸡湖景区-绣球园 , Couple's Retreat Garden 耦园 , Master-of-Nets Garden 网师园 , Pingjiang Road 平江路历史街区 , Fengqiao Bridge Scenic Area 枫桥风景名胜区 , Tinglin Garden 昆山亭林园景区

Silk Tree

When: Till July

Where: Tiger Hill 虎丘山风景名胜区 , Tiger Hill Wetland Park 苏州虎丘湿地公园 , Pingjiang Road 平江路历史街区 , Jiqing Street 吉庆街

Three Flowers (Jasmine, Gardenia & Bitter Orange Flower)

When: Till Aug.

Where: Tiger Hill 虎丘山风景名胜区 , streets and alleys across Suzhou

Ac tivities

Intangible Cultural Heritage Summer Shopping Month

Featuring policy releases, new tourist routes, collaborative products and live performances.

When: June 11 to 14 for main event; supporting events will last through summer

Where: Pingjiang Road 苏州平江历史文化街区 and Taohuawu 桃花坞历史文化片区 for main event; supporting events will be held across Suzhou

Humble Administrator's Garden Night Tour

An immersive journey in the most famous Suzhou garden at night.

When: Till Sept., closed on Mondays; for specific opening dates, please refer to the mini progra m of " 问雅拙政 "

Where: Humble Administrator's Garden 拙政园

Master-of-Nets Garden Night Tour

Enjoy Kunqu opera, pingtan and other traditional performances in an illuminated classical garden.

When: Till Nov. 15

Where: Master-of-Nets Garden 网师园

Classical Garden Painting and Calligraphy Exhibition

A deep dive into the life of scholars through paintings, calligraphy and digital technology.

When: Till June 21

Where: Yiyuan Garden 怡园

Wildflower Photographic Exhibition

Over 60 photographs of wildflowers in Suzhou are on display.

When: Till June 8

Where: Wetland Exhibition Hall, Suzhou Botanical Garden

Suzhou Amusement Land Dragon Boat Festival International Carnival

Performances, circus shows and music festivals will light up your holiday.

When: June 19 to 21

Where: Suzhou Amusement Land 苏州乐园森林世界

Taihu Lake Wetland Wuxia Festival

There are wuxia (martial arts) performances, parades and cute pandas.

When: Till June 30

Where: Suzhou Taihu Lake National Wetland Park 苏州太湖国家湿地公园

Delicacies

Fengzhen Pork Noodles

It consists of milky broth simmered from pork and eel bones with a little fermented rice wine, a slice of pork cooked for at least four hours and a touch of shredded ginger.

Where: Tongdexing 同得兴面馆Since·1995(十全街店) , Suyuzhai 苏虞斋·非遗·苏式面(金狮河沿店) , Gusuqiao 姑苏桥·文人苏式面馆(北寺塔店) , Zhuhongxing 朱鸿兴面馆(广济南路店) , Wantaixing 万泰兴(十全街店)

Dumpling with Stir-fried Meat Filling

Stuffed with pork, dried shrimp, daylily buds, wood ear mushrooms, diced fresh bamboo shoots and dried bamboo shoots, the dumpling is filled with gravy and topped with a whole shrimp right before serving.

Where: Wanfuxing 万福兴糕团(姑香苑店) , Mingyuelou 明月楼·糕团店(三元坊店) , Jinshuilou 近水楼(吴趋坊) , Jufulou 聚福楼糕团(新民桥店) , Rishengxing 日昇兴糕团店(明月楼分店) , Huangfuxing 黄富兴糕团(葑门横街店)

Three-shrimp Noodles

The topping is made from three parts of the river shrimp: the meat, roe and brain, all hand-extracted and stir-fried in hot oil. Most noodle shops make only 50 to 60 bowls per day.

Where: Suyuzhai 苏虞斋·非遗·苏式面(金狮河沿店) , Gusuqiao 姑苏桥·文人苏式面馆(北寺塔店) , Yanyanglou 宴杨楼·苏式面馆

Waxberry

One of the signature summer fruits in Suzhou, local waxberries are prized for their sweet-sour flavor and juicy texture.

Where: Shushan Village 树山生态村 , Dongshan Town 东山景区 , Xishan Island 西山风景区 , Baoyan Ecological Park 宝岩生态观光园

Mung Bean Soup

A traditional summer drink in Suzhou, it's especially refreshing and cooling on hot days.

Where: Banxia Yinpin 伴夏饮品店 , Suyang Xuji Mung Bean Soup 苏阳许记绿豆汤(沧浪新城店) , Xiaobaba 小爸爸绿豆汤(王天井巷店)

Source: 好玩苏州 (WeChat ID: suzhouwlv)