Suzhou Things to Do Tips by sugarpuff

Beisi Ta (North Temple Pagoda)

The pagoda is one of the first things you see when driving down into the main town from the train station. It towers over the main part of the city looking remarkable.

It was firt built in the third century AD, and rebuilt in 1582. Eventhough the Pagoda only retains nine out of its original eleven storeys it still stands at 76m! Of course climbing it would give you a perfect view of the whole of Suzhou, but 'unfortunately' we arrived there too late...oh what a pity! I'll have to go back again one day to climb the NINE storeys!!! I dont think so!!!!! Luckily my mum was with me so I can use her as an excuse for not doing it....'you know, I didn't want to leave her there at the bottom waiting for me all alone...'!

It's open from 8am-5pm and costs a mere 15yuan to get in.

Directions: A few minutes walk down Renmin Street.

Suzhou Silk Museum

For just 7yuan entrance fee, I could tell I was going to like this place straight away!!!! Our taxi driver had some difficulties finding the main entrance, why I don't know as it was pretty obvious! It's quite a good museum because everything is clearly marked in Chinese and English making the whole tour more enjoyable. It starts with the legendary inventor of silk, Lei Zu who was the concubine of the equally lengendary Emperor Huang Di.It starts back in 4000BC up to the present showing reproductions of early silk patterns as well as pieces of the real McCoy!

There were silk making machines with demonstrators ready to show you how they were used. Cor blimey...you couldn't have a shaky hand working with that equipment!

The most interesting and also at the same time quite repulsive part of it all is the last room where you can see literally hundreds of silkworms munching away on mulberry leaves whilst spinning cocoons! Yuck!!!! It sent shivers down my spine!

Address: 661 Renmin Street, Suzhou.

Directions: Virtually opposite the North Temple Pagoda.

Pan Men (Coiled Gate)

“In heaven there is paradise. On earth there

are Suzhou and Hangzhou".

The gate is the only surviving one of the eight that once surrounded Suzhou.

Inside is a beautiful garden (the Sheraton Hotel actually looks out onto it!),and a big lake with typical Suzhou-esque buildings everywhere.

Directions: In the far southwestern corner of the moated area.