Suzhou苏州

The questions people ask first about Suzhou, 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
• SafetySuzhou is a low-crime city and safe to walk at night in the old town and the SIP.

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café¥20–40 (≈ US$3–6)
• Street or quick mealNoodle soup or a rice set¥25–60 (≈ US$4–9)
• Beerdraught in a bar / can at a convenience store¥25–45 (≈ US$4–7)¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
• Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across the old town¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5)
• Metro or bus rideMetro ride¥2–5 (≈ under US$1) (check)
• Museum or sight ticketGarden or museum entry¥40–90 (≈ US$6–13) (check)
• Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥80 (≈ US$12)
• Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥450 (≈ US$65)
• High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥900 (≈ US$130)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥250 (≈ US$35) · Mid CN¥500 (≈ US$70) · High CN¥1,100 (≈ US$160)

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 →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

PVG Shanghai Pudong International (About 120 km (75 mi) away; shuttle bus to Suzhou takes about 1 h 40 min, or train via Hongqiao) · SHA Shanghai Hongqiao International (About 86 km (53 mi) away; some Suzhou–Shanghai bullet trains stop at Hongqiao Railway Station, one metro stop from the airport) · WUX Wuxi Shuofang (Closest airport, mostly domestic flights; about 15 min by high-speed train from Wuxi to Suzhou)PVG Shanghai Pudong International (About 75 mi (120 km) away; shuttle bus to Suzhou takes about 1 h 40 min, or train via Hongqiao) · SHA Shanghai Hongqiao International (About 53 mi (86 km) away; some Suzhou–Shanghai bullet trains stop at Hongqiao Railway Station, one metro stop from the airport) · WUX Wuxi Shuofang (Closest airport, mostly domestic flights; about 15 min by high-speed train from Wuxi to Suzhou)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

¥250–450 (≈ US$35–65) excl. bed

Mid

¥450–900 (≈ US$65–130) excl. bed

High

¥900 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed

• Summer is hot and humid with heavy rain in June; plan indoor sights for the middle of the day.
• Foreigners must buy train tickets at a counter with a passport — self-service machines need a Chinese ID card.
• Book high-speed rail a few days ahead around public holidays; trains fill up.
• Ignore taxi touts inside the rail stations and use the official rank.
• Gardens are busiest mid-morning; go at opening or late afternoon.