Suzhou park recommendations?

[du.gronberg]

I was just back from Hangzhou and am heading to Suzhou for a business/tour trip around mid October. I've heard there are tens of attractive sites in Suzhou I need to visit, parks, temples, gardens, etc. I want to get a general idea from anyone of you about those places which I may put on my must go list. 2 or 3 would fit better for my schedule. I got lots of free entries in Hangzhou but Suzhou seems different I've heard. Plese let me know and thanks a lot!

[jennwfinch]

My recommendations for 2 sites:
Guanqian Street, a walk street for shopping, touring and entertainment, free entry. it may take you a day.
Humble Administration Garden, it represnets Suzhou's classic gardens, no needs to see other ones in a tight schedule.

[clair07]

add Zhouzhuang, a nearby watertown, to your list.

[tipss]

many parks look like the same and i could not see real differences

[du.gronberg]

I've heard suzhou parks always charge entrance fees. But in Hangzhou many of them seem tourist-friendly and entry is free, and you save.

[clair07]

Yeap, Suzhou parks and garders charge a lot of cash for entering, and I've heard this is one of the city's strategies to minimize tourists to protect these old gardens. cool? maybe

[iamsaying1]

Yeap, Suzhou parks and garders charge a lot of cash for entering, and I've heard this is one of the city's strategies to minimize tourists to protect these old gardens. cool? maybe

however it scares off tourists as well and does some damage to the city's reputation

[gusted]

I have been to Zhouzhuang last year, a fantastic wather town, but I've heard some others: Tongli, Luzi. Are they better than Zhouzhuang?

[yaowei]

I have been to Zhouzhuang last year, a fantastic wather town, but I've heard some others: Tongli, Luzi. Are they better than Zhouzhuang?

Haven't been there physically. But all of those are characterized with flowing water and little bridges, sort of things, I'm afraid.

[Patricia]

You could try going into the provinces website. There is a guide about Suzhou with a few tips on the parks, gardens and water towns near by.
www.tastejiangsu.com