Must-see attractions in Jiangsu

This beautiful 19th-century garden in the east of the old town delightfully translates as the ‘Withdraw and Reflect Garden’, so named because it was the…

Beautifully enhanced by flowering magnolias in spring, this delightful courtyard and former temple contains a pair of sublime pagodas, which don't often…

This underrated park, just south of Xuanwu Lake, has a peaceful world-away feel and a delightful array of statues dotted around its leafy hills. The park…

The Suzhou Silk Museum houses fascinating exhibitions detailing the history of Suzhou’s 4000-year-old silk industry. Exhibits include a section on silk…

One of the lesser-visited gardens around Suzhou is the charmingly small Qing-dynasty Garden of Harmony, which has assimilated many features of older…

Zhouzhuang's most iconic bridges are this Ming-dynasty pair (双桥, Shuāngqiáo) gracing the intersection of two waterways in the heart of town.

Across Quanfu Bridge and 400m east of the old town, the Temple of the God of Wealth is housed in the former residence of Shen Wansan, Zhouzhuang's 14th…

Straddling the Grand Canal southeast of Suzhou, and boasting 53 arches, the lovely Precious Belt Bridge was once a Tang dynasty construction, although the…

In the north of town, quiet Pearl Pagoda dates from the Qing dynasty and contains a spacious residential complex decorated with Qing-era antiques, an…

Near the entrance to the Míng Xiàolíng Tomb, this large copse of plum trees bursts into floral fragrance each spring, drawing crowds. It's the site of the…

The tranquil Couple’s Garden is off the main tourist route and sees slightly fewer visitors than the other gardens, and its pond, courtyards and garden…

On the 2nd floor of Shen's House and mostly skipped by tour groups, possibly because of the steep staircase. There are some furnished rooms up here and a…

One of the original 13 Ming city gates, renovated in 2001. The gate is located in a small park in the north of town and is connected to Taiping Gate (5…

In the middle of Shantang Jie, this attractive courtyard complex is known for its intricately carved beams. Look out for wooden impressions of officials,…

This elegant Ming-dynasty estate in the west of town has 41 beautifully restored halls that have been redecorated with paintings, calligraphy and…

The old town of Mudu is principally hemmed in by the canal and Xiangxi Xilu. It's a small area to explore, and you only need half a day to do it justice.

This delightfully historic campus is worth a stroll to appreciate its traditional architecture, lovely trees and green spaces.

One of the original 13 Ming city gates, which allows access to the walls.

Literally meaning 'Cold Mountain Temple' and founded around AD 500, Hanshan is famous in China thanks to a Tang-dynasty (618–907) poem that is taught at…

This magnificent temple, with its mustard-yellow walls and gracefully curved eaves, was burnt to the ground during the Taiping Rebellion and rebuilt in…