The Lion Forest Garden

Admission: 30 yuan (April 16-October 30); 20 yuan (October 31-April 15)

Address: 23 Yuanlin Rd

Tel: 0512-6727-8316

How to get there: Tour Bus No. 1, 2 or 5

Surrounding attractions:

The 800-year-old Pingjiang Road is a typical water lane in Suzhou, its historic Suzhou-style housing preserved.

There are also some tea houses on the street in which people can enjoy both tea and ancient Chinese music.

Wu Men Ren Jia restaurant is located in a historic residential house and serves authentic Suzhou cuisine. The classic dishes help to create a traditional atmosphere.The Master-of-Nets Garden

The ònetsó in the name of the garden refers to òfishing nets,ó expresses the former owner of the garden?s dream of making a living through fishing. The refined garden is small ? you can walk around it in 20 minutes ? but its specialty is the evening tour.

Beginning at 7:30pm, it takes about 90 minutes. Traditional Chinese performances, such as music, dance, Kunqu Opera and pingtan - a traditional combination of song and storytelling - are held in the halls and pavilions of the garden. English-speaking tour guides are available, explaining the history of the garden and the performances.

The garden has a covered walkway, so if it's raining, visitors can still enjoy the scenery without being soaked.

The most beautiful time for the evening tour is when the full moon is hanging in the sky. In the center of the garden is the Pavilion Where the Moon Meets the Breeze, with a huge mirror hung on the wall.

On nights when there's a full moon, its reflection on the water and in the mirror create a stunning "three moon" composition.

The Master-of-Nets Garden

Admission: 30 yuan (April 16-October 30); 20 yuan (October 31-April 15); 100 yuan for evening tour

Address: 11 Kuojiatou Lane

Tel: 0512-6520-3514

How to get there: Tour Bus No. 2

Surrounding attractions

Shiquan Street, at the exit of the Master-of-Nets Garden is a popular bar street in Suzhou. As two hotels here were the only accommodation available for overseas visitors in the past, it became a favorite area with foreigners. Even though the city now has other entertainment zones, there is still a buzz here at night.Tiger Hill and the Lingerings Garden

The cradle of Suzhou, Tiger Hill remains one of the most popular scenic areas in the city. Bonsai has become one of the key features of Tiger Hill, with thousands of miniature trees collected in a garden called "Garden of All Sceneries." This includes a precious Chinese sweet plum bonsai, which has a history of more than 400 years.

Bonsai masters in the garden demonstrate their delicate horticultural skills, and visitors can also have a go.

"Such interactive activities are very popular, especially among foreign visitors," said Wang Jianqiang, a bonsai master who has been working for more than two decades at the garden.

Wang said most foreign bonsai lovers are more familiar with Japanese bonsai, but as China was the cradle of the culture, Chinese bonsai has a stronger cultural background and greater achievements.

Yunyan tea is another attraction of Tiger Hill. Grown on the far side of the hill, it is too precious to sell. Visitors can only taste it in a nearby tea house.