Major city · China
Kunshan昆山
Spend 1 night or a day‑trip in Kunshan; it’s 50 km (31 mi) from Shanghai and 37 km (23 mi) from Suzhou, reachable by high‑speed train in ~15 min.Spend 1 night or a day‑trip in Kunshan; it’s 31 mi (50 km) from Shanghai and 23 mi (37 km) from Suzhou, reachable by high‑speed train in ~15 min.
Kunshan is a small county‑level city in Jiangsu, positioned between Shanghai and Suzhou. Its main draws are the historic Qiandeng Ancient Town, Tinglin Garden and local food. With fast rail links, a single night is enough for the highlights; a longer stay suits deeper exploration of parks and museums.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, humid)
- Airports
- PVG · SHA · WUX
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kunshan110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kunshan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyKunshan is generally safe; stay alert on crowded trains and keep valuables secure.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPVG Shanghai Pudong International (≈92 km (57 mi) east, high‑speed rail to Kunshan ~45 min).PVG Shanghai Pudong International (≈57 mi (92 km) east, high‑speed rail to Kunshan ~45 min).
- Getting aroundUse Shanghai Metro line 11 and Suzhou Metro line 11 at Huaqiao Station; city buses run hourly to nearby towns; taxis are cheap.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealAozhao noodle bowl¥30–50 (≈ US$5–7)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))¥30–40 (≈ US$5–6)
- Metro or bus rideBus ticket to Shanghaicheck¥76 (≈ US$11)
- Budget bedPolman Hotel double, a night, per roomCN¥300 (≈ US$45)
- Mid-range bedPolman Hotel double, a night, per roomCN¥450 (≈ US$65)
- High-end bedPolman Hotel double, a night, per roomCN¥650 (≈ US$95)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥150 (≈ US$25) · Mid CN¥250 (≈ US$35) · High CN¥400 (≈ US$60)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PVG Shanghai Pudong International (≈92 km (57 mi) east, high‑speed rail to Kunshan ~45 min) · SHA Shanghai Hongqiao (≈42 km (26 mi) east, high‑speed rail ~30 min) · WUX Sunan Shuofang (Wuxi) (≈41 km (25 mi) west, regional trains)PVG Shanghai Pudong International (≈57 mi (92 km) east, high‑speed rail to Kunshan ~45 min) · SHA Shanghai Hongqiao (≈26 mi (42 km) east, high‑speed rail ~30 min) · WUX Sunan Shuofang (Wuxi) (≈25 mi (41 km) west, regional trains)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jun (199 rain days), driest Dec (45). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kunshan: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
68 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
63 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
87 rd
Apr
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
78 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
92 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
199 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
152 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
182 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
101 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
67 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
56 rd
Dec
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
45 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Use Shanghai Metro line 11 and Suzhou Metro line 11 at Huaqiao Station; city buses run hourly to nearby towns; taxis are cheap. Walkable core around Qiandeng.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Qiandeng Ancient Town
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Bus 253 from Huaqiao station (Shanghai Metro line 11), ~30 min
Historic water town, entry free.
Tinglin Garden
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
Metro to Yushan Square, then walk 1 km (0.6 mi)Metro to Yushan Square, then walk 0.6 mi (1 km)
Traditional garden, free.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Polman Hotel
Downtown, ~5 km (3.1 mi) from Kunshan railway station; business‑friendly rooms.Downtown, ~3.1 mi (5 km) from Kunshan railway station; business‑friendly rooms.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥150–250 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥250–400 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- High
- ¥400 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Polman Hotel double1 × 1 night × CN¥450 | CN¥450 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CN¥250 | CN¥250 |
| Kunshan‑Shanghai high‑speed train (round‑trip)1 × CN¥120 · check | CN¥120 |
| Metro day pass1 × CN¥20 · check | CN¥20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥84 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥924 per person per day, bed included | CN¥924≈ US$130 |
2026 estimate in CNY; flights and visas excluded.
Prices of common things
| Aozhao noodle bowl | ¥30–50 (≈ US$5–7) |
| All‑you‑can‑eat teppanyaki set | ¥150–200 (≈ US$25–30) |
| Taxi (5 km) | ¥30–40 (≈ US$5–6) |
| Bus ticket to Shanghaicheck | ¥76 (≈ US$11) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Last metro trains leave around 22:30; plan return.Last metro trains leave around 10:30 PM; plan return.
- Bus to Shanghai runs hourly 10:30‑19:30, ¥76 (≈ US$11), ~1 h; check schedule for holidays.Bus to Shanghai runs hourly 10:30 AM‑7:30 PM, ¥76 (≈ US$11), ~1 h; check schedule for holidays.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Kunshan昆山
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
US consulate in Shanghai; other embassies in Beijing.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Kunshan ↔ Shanghai high‑speed: ≈¥120 round‑trip, ~30 min (check)
- Metro day pass: ¥20 (≈ US$3) per day (check)
Say or show
- 对不起 — Excuse me / Sorry (duìbuqǐ)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duōshǎo qián?)
- 洗手间在哪里？ — Where is the bathroom? (xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ?)
- 可以刷卡吗？ — Can I pay by card? (kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kunshan. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, humid) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night at Polman Hotel for evening dining.
- Combine Kunshan with a Shanghai day‑trip using high‑speed rail.
Sources
Ask about Kunshan
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