Suzhou Museum
204 Dongbei St., Gusu District, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215005
Located in Suzhou’s historic quarter, Suzhou Museum was designed by famed architect I.M. Pei. It’s a masterful blend of modern design, traditional Suzhou architectural style, and classical garden layout, and the museum’s light-filled galleries house a collection of bronze, jade, ceramics, porcelain, handicrafts, paintings, calligraphies, and relics.
The basics
In line with the surrounding area, the museum features multiple halls around a series of gardens and courtyards. You can explore both the interior exhibits, with galleries spread across multiple halls and floors, and exterior gardens and landscaping, which include classical features such as a pond, pavilion, bridge, rookery, and bamboo forest. Explore the museum independently, or on docent-led and audio guide tours. The museum is also included as part of many Suzhou sightseeing tours.
Things to know before you go
The museum has free admission, though special exhibitions may charge a fee.
You need to register for an entry slot online, and should book ahead to avoid disappointment.
Guided tours (in English and Mandarin) and audio headset tours (in English) are available for a fee.
The museum is wheelchair-accessible, and you can rent wheelchairs free of charge.
There is a teahouse and museum shop on-site.
How to get there
The museum is located in the Gusu District of Suzhou, adjacent to the historic Zhong Wang Fu and the Humble Administrator’s Garden. Paid parking is available nearby at the Lion Forest Garden and Humble Administrator’s Garden. There are numerous buses that stop nearby, including numbers 178, 262, and 309.
When to get there
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, from mid-morning until late afternoon, with the last entry an hour before closing. Plan to spend 1-2 hours exploring the exhibits and exterior gardens and courtyards. The museum can get busy, especially on weekends. Visit during the week and early in the morning to avoid the largest crowds. 1-hour video presentations are screened four times daily.
Explore the Humble Administrator’s Garden
Close to the Suzhou Museum is the Humble Administrator’s Garden. The largest of Suzhou’s classical gardens, it’s one of the finest examples of a classical Chinese garden, and features lotus ponds, streams, pavilions, and groves of bamboo, pine, and weeping willows. It’s also home to the Suzhou Garden Museum, which is dedicated to the history and art of Chinese gardens.
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