Practical Tips

The best time to visit Suzhou is from April to October. The weather is good despite a tendency to be rainy and the osmanthus trees flower at this time, perfuming the entire city. Summers in Suzhou are hot and humid while springtime is pleasant but can be rainy. Winters are surprisingly cold, made worse by the poor heating and lack of insulation in most buildings. If you're in Suzhou during Chinese New Year, make sure to visit the Plum Blossom Festival in Xi Shan. There's also a Lantern Festival that takes place 15 days after the Lunar New Year at Pan Gate.