Visit Suzhou, China

Criss-crossed by canals and blooming with exquisite landscaped gardens, Suzhou is a delightful destination only an hour by train from Shanghai.

The waterways and tree-lined avenues lattice an area famed for silk weaving, with techniques brought to vivid life at its famous Silk Museum.

Around Suzhou

In the region there are picturesque water towns such as Tongli, Zhouzhuang and Zhu Jia Jiao, where ancient stone bridges cross winding canals and old merchants’ houses line narrow cobbled streets.

At their best these small towns offer a rare and fascinating insight into a bygone China, but can be busy in the high season; we plan early starts to avoid the crowds.