Best spots in Suzhou to appreciate magnolia

Mar 03, 2026

Suzhou

Magnolia trees have started to flower across Suzhou. Some are as white as snow, others as pink as rosy clouds. Here are the best spots in the city to appreciate the flower this spring.

Route 1: Classical Gardens

As Wen Zhenheng wrote in "Superfluous Things," magnolia trees are "best planted before halls and, when in bloom, transform the place into a garden of jade. This is unsurpassed beauty."

Cloud Stairway Pavilion, Master of the Nets Garden

Photo/Yuqing Yanwan@RedNote

Hall of Paeonia Suffruticosa, Master of the Nets Garden

Photo/Ru Jun

Shuangzhao Tower, Couple's Retreat Garden

Pingquan Xiaoyin, Couple's Retreat Garden

Magnolia Villa, Tiger Hill

Photo/Chen Runxi

Magnolia Hall, Humble Administrator's Garden

Photo/Zhang Xinyi

Miniascape Garden, Lingering Garden

Yard of Rocks, Lingering Garden

Photo/Ru Jun

Small Peach Vale, Lingering Garden

Photo/Xu Ze

Parking Lot, Lion Grove Garden

Photo/Ma Liyuan

Yanyu Hall, Lion Grove Garden

Canglang Pavilion

Route 2: Ancient Temples and Pagodas

There are two famous magnolia trees planted before red walls in Suzhou. One is at Huangluo Temple in Xiangcheng District, a place dubbed "Little Forbidden City"; the other one is at Shangzhen Taoist Temple on Qionglong Mountain and is said to be planted during Emperor Qianlong's inspection tour about 235 years ago.

Shangzhen Taoist Temple