Every spring, a tea festival is held in the field, on which visitors can learn to pick and process the tea leaves.

The Lingerings Garden is not far from Tiger Hill. Along with the Humble Administrator's Garden, the Lingerings Garden, created during the Ming Dynasty, is listed as among "the best four gardens in China" (the other two are royal gardens in Beijing and Hebei province). The garden is renowned as among the best places to appreciate Taihu Lake stone, an attractive type of limestone found around the lake.

The garden has three treasures.

There is a masterpiece of Taihu Lake stone - slender, with folds and numerous holes which allow light to flood through. It is joined by a natural cross-section of marble, which resembles a painting of a landscape beneath the moon.

The third treasure is a 200-millionyear-old fossil of a cod. It is said the former owner of the garden just loved the stone's pattern, without realizing that it was a fossil of a fish.

Tiger Hill

Admission: 60 yuan (April 16-October 30); 40 yuan (October 31-April 15)

Address: Inside the Tiger Hill Gate

Tel: 0512-6723-2305

How to go: Tour Bus No. 1, 2

The Lingerings Garden

Admission: 40 yuan (April 16-October 30); 30 yuan (October 31-April 15)

Address: 79 Liuyuan Rd

Tel: 0512-6533-7903

Transport: Tour Bus No. 1, 2

Surrounding attractions

Shantang Street is an ancient street with more than 1,000 years of history. Visitors can enjoy traditional Suzhou snacks here, while accommodation is available in homey Suzhou-style bed-and-breakfasts.