Suzhou classical gardens launch summer tourism program

The summer edition of the "Visiting Gardens in Suzhou" program was launched on Monday. Running through August, the event will feature nearly 100 activities across classical gardens, ancient towns and commercial districts.

Summer flower appreciation

The 2026 Suzhou Lotus Flower Exhibition is set to kick off on Thursday. Flower-viewing routes connecting gardens, countryside and urban parks will also be released.

The mugwort and calamus exhibition at t he Lion Grove Garden.

The agapanthus exhibition at Shangfang Mountain National Forest Park.

In addition, a variety of flower exhibitions will debut across the city. The Lion Grove Garden 狮子林景区 will host a Dragon Boat Festival-themed exhibition featuring mugwort and calamus, accompanied by lectures and sachet workshops. Tiger Hill 虎丘山风景名胜区 will launch the Three Flowers Cool Market featuring immersive floral landscapes. Shangfang Mountain National Forest Park 苏州上方山国家森林公园 will hold an agapanthus exhibition, while Canglang Pavilion 沧浪亭 will showcase an orchid exhibition. Fangta Garden 方塔园 , Nanyuan Garden 太仓南园 and gardens in Wuzhong District will jointly organize summer flower markets and roll out diverse routes for lotus, ornamental grass and orchid appreciation.

Cultural exhibitions

Classical gardens across the city will host 21 exhibitions this summer, covering three categories: calligraphy and painting, potted plant, and scientific and cultural education.

The landscape potted plant exhibition at the Garden of Cultivation.

The calligraphy and painting section includes displays from museum collections and retrospectives on overseas cultural exchanges. The potted plant section highlights gardening techniques, including a pot exhibition at Keyuan Garden 可园 and a landscape potted plant exhibition at the Garden of Cultivation 艺圃 . The scientific and cultural education section covers a range of topics such as endangered animal species, the famous Song-dynasty politician and writer Fan Zhongyan, guqin (a seven-stringed Chinese zither) and rubbings.

Night tours

Night tours are the biggest highlight of the program. Several gardens in Suzhou will extend opening hours and combine light shows, performances, intangible cultural heritage and opera for new experiences.

The Three Flowers Cool Market at Tiger Hill.

The night tour at the Humble Administrator's Garden.

Tiger Hill, the Retreat & Reflection Garden 退思园 and Fangta Garden will remain open at night. Opera performances will be staged at Nanyuan Garden, Zhang's Hall 周庄张厅 and Moke Garden 墨客园 . Popular night tours at the Humble Administrator's Garden 拙政园 and the Master-of-Nets Garden 网师园 will continue throughout the season.

Source: 苏州园林官微 (WeChat ID: suzhou-yllh)