Enchanting Kunshan: A 1-Day Cultural Journey

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By Emma

May 7, 2024 · 1 min read

Kunshan 1 Day Itinerary

Embark on a one-day journey to the enchanting city of Kunshan, where history and tranquility blend seamlessly. Begin your adventure at Zhouzhuang, known as the 'Venice of the East,' and spend your day wandering along the ancient roads of this water town. Immerse yourself in the charm of its canals, bridges, and well-preserved houses that whisper tales of yesteryears. Next, let the Humble Administrator's Garden enchant you with its classical landscape design, recognized as a world cultural heritage site. This garden is a masterpiece of Chinese gardening art and offers a peaceful retreat with its ponds, pavilions, and corridors. Conclude your day with a visit to the Hanshan Temple, an iconic historic building that stands as a testament to the region's spiritual heritage. As you stroll through its storied halls and listen to the bell tolls, you'll find yourself transported to an era of ancient poets and monks. This concise itinerary is designed to ensure you experience the highlights of Kunshan's cultural landscape, all within the span of a single, unforgettable day.

Top 6 Hotels in Kunshan
TOP 1
G E Summit Hotel
G E Summit Hotel
hotelStar
5/5
3543 reviews
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TOP 2
尚寓酒店(光明路地铁站汇金大厦店)
尚寓酒店(光明路地铁站汇金大厦店)
hotelStar
2/5
38 reviews
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TOP 3
Mercure Kunshan High-tech Vientiane Hui Hotel
Mercure Kunshan High-tech Vientiane Hui Hotel
hotelStar
4/5
2083 reviews
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Novotel Kunshan Yangcheng Lake
Novotel Kunshan Yangcheng Lake
hotelStar
4/5
1758 reviews
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Jiangnan House  Yangcheng Lake
Jiangnan House Yangcheng Lake
hotelStar
4/5
16 reviews
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Jinling Grand Hotel
Jinling Grand Hotel
hotelStar
5/5
1309 reviews
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1 Day in Kunshan Itinerary: Day 1

1

Zhouzhuang

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Begin your Kunshan adventure by stepping into the timeless beauty of Zhouzhuang, known as the 'Venice of the East'. Nestled at No.43 Quanfu Road, this ancient town is a tapestry of classic waterways and historic charm. Spend your day meandering along the old stone paths, crossing the iconic twin bridges, and soaking in the serene atmosphere that has been preserved for over 900 years. Zhouzhuang is not just a destination; it's a cultural immersion into the life of a bygone era.

Attraction Info

  • No.43, Quanfu Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province
  • Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 day
  • Open from 01/01-03/31,7:30am-8:00pm;Open from 04/01-12/31,7:30am-9:00pm,The opening hours of sub-attractions are subject to actual conditions on site.

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

烟雨人家特色农家菜(周庄店)
烟雨人家特色农家菜(周庄店)
4.2/5 · 10 reviews
0.0 km from attraction
水月周庄铂尔曼酒店 · 漾全日餐厅
水月周庄铂尔曼酒店 · 漾全日餐厅
5/5 · 12 reviews
1.1 km from attraction
Zhi Xiang Wang Theme Restaurant
Zhi Xiang Wang Theme Restaurant
4.7/5 · 128 reviews
0.3 km from attraction
水月周庄铂尔曼酒店·水月荟中餐厅
水月周庄铂尔曼酒店·水月荟中餐厅
4.4/5 · 15 reviews
1.2 km from attraction
海龙饭店(周庄店)
海龙饭店(周庄店)
4.7/5 · 11 reviews
0.2 km from attraction
Wansan Restaurant
Wansan Restaurant
4.4/5 · 23 reviews
0.3 km from attraction
1 h 1 min,53.46 km
2

Humble Administrator's Garden

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Next, enrich your cultural palate with a visit to the Humble Administrator's Garden, a masterpiece of classical Chinese landscape design. Located at No.178 Northeast Street, this World Cultural Heritage site in Suzhou is a harmonious blend of water features, intricate pavilions, and meticulously manicured gardens. Allow yourself two hours to wander through this verdant oasis, where every turn reveals a new perspective and every pond reflects the artistry of ancient gardeners.

Attraction Info

  • No.178, Northeast Street, Pingjiang District, Suzhou City
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
  • Open from 03/01-10/31,7:30am-5:30pm;Open from 11/01-02/28,7:30am-5:00pm;Open from 7:30am-6:00pm during Ching Ming Festival,Labour Day,Mid-Autumn Festival,China's national day

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Xin JuFeng
Xin JuFeng
4.4/5 · 137 reviews
1.6 km from attraction
Ban Yuan Private-home Cuisine
Ban Yuan Private-home Cuisine
4.7/5 · 314 reviews
0.5 km from attraction
Scholars Hotel Suzhou Pingjiangfu·Mu Xiang Chinese Restaurant
Scholars Hotel Suzhou Pingjiangfu·Mu Xiang Chinese Restaurant
4.6/5 · 251 reviews
0.6 km from attraction
YaBa ShengJian
YaBa ShengJian
4.4/5 · 378 reviews
1.0 km from attraction
裕面堂·精品苏式面馆(石路店)
裕面堂·精品苏式面馆(石路店)
4.6/5 · 56 reviews
2.6 km from attraction
孙盛兴奥灶面馆(山塘街店)
孙盛兴奥灶面馆(山塘街店)
4.6/5 · 33 reviews
2.7 km from attraction
20 min,9.38 km
3

Hanshan Temple

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Conclude your day with the spiritual serenity of Hanshan Temple, an iconic historic building that stands at No. 24 in the Gusu District. This temple, immortalized by the poetry of Zhang Ji, offers a tranquil retreat with its ancient bell tower and scenic surroundings. Spend a couple of hours exploring the temple grounds, listening to the echoes of chanting monks, and finding peace within its storied walls. Hanshan Temple is not just a site of Buddhist worship but a testament to the enduring legacy of Chinese culture.

Attraction Info

  • No. 24, Hanshan Temple, Gusu District, Suzhou City
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
  • Open from 7:30am-6:00pm

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

孙盛兴奥灶面馆(山塘街店)
孙盛兴奥灶面馆(山塘街店)
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裕面堂·精品苏式面馆(石路店)
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鑫震源·苏式大虾生煎(山塘街店)
鑫震源·苏式大虾生煎(山塘街店)
4.5/5 · 175 reviews
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山塘书香府邸·陶然轩
山塘书香府邸·陶然轩
4.4/5 · 27 reviews
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裕兴记(演艺中心店)
裕兴记(演艺中心店)
4.4/5 · 166 reviews
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苏州新城花园丽呈华廷酒店·味道苏州中餐厅
苏州新城花园丽呈华廷酒店·味道苏州中餐厅
4.2/5 · 9 reviews
1.9 km from attraction

Where to Stay Tonight

4.9/5365 Reviews
4.9/5Perfect365 Reviews
Huqiu New Urban District/ Hanshan Temple
Suzhou
|0.02km from city center
4.9/5106 Reviews
4.9/5Perfect106 Reviews
Huqiu New Urban District/ Hanshan Temple
Suzhou
|0.29km from city center

Top Things to Do in Kunshan-2024

TOP 1
Zhouzhuang
Zhouzhuang
4.5/5 · 15,733 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 1,048 review
Highlights:
This ancient town has a history of more than 900 years old with many houses built in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Known as Yao City or Zhenfang lane in ancient times, the town was once a part of the Kingdom of Wu, playing an important role in the distribution of silk, ceramics, art pieces, and food. With lakes on the four sides, the beauty of Zhouzhuang has to be discovered through its water lanes and stone bridges. Taking a boat ride would be an interesting option to tour around the town. Famous sites include Zhang Hall, Shen Hall, and the underwater tomb of Shen Wansan, a famous Yuan Dynasty Businessman. If you stay around till the lights light up at night, you can enjoy a view that is seemingly made up from a fairytale.
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TOP 2
Jinxi Ancient Town
Jinxi Ancient Town
4.4/5 · 2,481 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 75 review
Highlights:
Jinxi Ancient Town is located on the shores of the Dianshan Lake in the southern suburbs of Kunshan, and is a riverside town in Southern China with thousands of years. The ancient town is not very large. The ancient lotus bridge that resembles a Chinese landscape painting and the mysterious tomb of Princess Chen have attracted many tourists here to explore. The various folk museums are also worth visiting. There are also plenty of snack bars on the old street. In addition, the town's civic collection museums include the old bricks museum, the purple sand pottery museum and the pottery museums that are full of antiques, and a cultural revolution collection museum that allows visitors to revisit history. The snacks on the old street include Jinxi specialties such as Wadisu, Changlong mooncakes, crabapple cake, tied pork and other Jiangnan specialty foods.
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TOP 3
Humble Administrator's Garden
Humble Administrator's Garden
4.6/5 · 57,418 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 2,336 review
Highlights:
This is one of "China's Four Gardens" and a world cultural heritage site. The Humble Administrator’s Garden is known for its water landscape that highlights the ambiance of the Southern Chinese villages built on bodies of water. It is elegant and delicately designed. In the garden, different kinds of ancient architecture were built on water. They are scattered strategically and not one is the same as another. The garden is divided into three parts: the east, the middle, and the west. Each part has its own characteristics, especially the central garden, which basically maintains the simple and natural style of the Ming Dynasty gardens.
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TOP 4
Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower
Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower
4.7/5 · 148,092 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 6,609 review
Highlights:
The Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower is arguably the most recognizable feature on Shanghai’s skyline. Completed in 1994, it has come to symbolize China’s modernization and emergence on the global scene. Visitors travel up and down the Oriental Pearl Tower in double-decker elevators that can hold up to fifty people. Located on the tower’s lower levels is the Shanghai Municipal History Museum. Given its iconic status, this is certainly a can’t-miss attraction.
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TOP 5
Lujiazui
Lujiazui
4.8/5 · 3,843 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 4 review
Highlights:
Located opposite the Bund, Lujiazui is the heart of China's budding financial sector and the only specifically designated financial development zone on the mainland. Landmark attractions include the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, Jin Mao Tower, and the Shanghai Tower. As night falls, the skyscrapers come alive with lights. The nightscape is breathtaking, showing off the modern metropolis that is Shanghai. Parents can take their kids to the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium to explore the magical wonders beneath the sea. Lujiazui is also home to great shopping and dining. It is a modern neighborhood in a very modern city.
View More

* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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Kunshan 1 Day Itinerary