How To Get Around Suzhou

Peter K Burian, Grand Canal, tour boats, Suzhou, China, CC BY-SA 4.0

If you select China as your travel destination, the choices for places to visit are overwhelming, but get it together and shortlist what you want to experience. You'll find your ideal location. If you are planning on travelling to Suzhou, famed for the most enchanting gardens and marvellous Chinese architecture that have been around for hundreds of years, here are a few tips on how to get about this ancient city.

Travelling to Suzhou

Two main cities of China, Shanghai and Hangzhou are connected to Suzhou via bullet train. Therefore, if you happen to be in one of these places you can get to Suzhou in no time. You can also get here by air where your plane will land at the Wuxi Airport. Reaching Suzhou by road and boat is also possible.

Getting around by taxi

One of the easiest ways to get to any place you want to be in Suzhou it to use the taxi service. Unlike in other places, taxi drivers are very helpful and willing to give you advice on the best places to visit in the city. If you are worried about getting back to your luxury hotel in Suzhou, there is no need to be anxious. Pan Pacific Suzhou and other hotels provide all guests with a business card written in English and Chinese both.

Getting about by bus

The network of buses in Suzhou is pretty good. There are buses going to every corner of the city and bus stops are easy to find as well. You can be sure that there will be a bus stop at every iconic attraction here. But remember, if you give more cash, you won't get back the change from the journey, therefore, always have change for the exact cost of the bus ride. Downtown commercial centres are accessible when travelling by public bus as well.

Getting around by bicycle

The bicycle is the most common mode of transport here. You will come across a number of people riding bicycles to work and kids riding bicycles to school. Tourists too seem to pick this option from the rest as it is easy to get around to see the attractions you want to see in any order you wish to. You can take your time with exploring as well.

Getting out of the city

The quickest and easiest way to get out of the city and travel to other parts of China from Suzhou is by air. Suzhou Guagfu Airport is the only airport within the city but is now only used by the military. So, you will have to take a taxi to the airport in Wuxi which is one that connects to all the major cities in China.
Travelling to other cities by bus or train is also possible. There are two types of buses that are available to take you to and from the city, the speedy bus and the regular one. The regular one is slower and isn't in the best condition, unlike the speedy buses. Suzhou has two train stations as well, one it the Suzhou West Railway Station and Suzhou Railway Station. The Suzhou West Railway Station is mainly used for freight transportation while Suzhou Railway Station is for travel between cities. Many tourists who've travelled using these modes of transport have advised that traveller stay vigilant about their surroundings and most of all take care of their belongings. You wouldn't want to get into the train with your wallet and get off in the next city without it now, isn't it?