Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
'the listening to the sound of rain' and 'the faraway looking' pavilions - hardly
humble, we know. It is the largest of all the gardens and considered by many
to be the most impressive.
WEST GARDEN TEMPLE
( Xiyuan Si; Xiyuan Lu; admission ¥25; 8am-5pm)
The West Garden
Temple, with its mustard-yellow walls and gracefully curved eaves, was burnt
to the ground during the Taiping Rebellion and rebuilt in the late 19th century.
Take Y1 or Y3 from the train station to get here.
Gardens
PINGJIANG LU
On the eastern side of the city, this road (watch out for electric bikes, though!)
is set alongside a canal. Whitewashed local houses, most now converted to
guesthouses, teahouses or trendy cafes selling overpriced beverages sit com-
fortably side-by-side.
Street
SUZHOU SILK MUSEUM
( Suzhou Sichou Bowuguan; 2001 Renmin Lu; admission ¥15; 9am-5pm)
Suzhou was renowned for silk production and weaving, and the Suzhou Silk
Museum houses a number of fascinating exhibitions that detail the history of
Suzhou's 4000-year-old silk industry. There are many functioning looms and
its not uncommon to see staff at work on a large brocade.
Museum
NORTH TEMPLE PAGODA
( Beisi Ta; 1918 Renmin Lu; admission ¥25; 7.45am-5.30pm)
The tallest
pagoda south of the Yangzi, at nine storeys North Temple Pagoda dominates
the northern end of Renmin Lu. Climb it for sweeping views of hazy modern-
day Suzhou.
Pagoda
PAN GATE
Landmark
