What to do in Suzhou when it rains
Suzhou has plenty under cover when the skies open — historic interiors, art collections, sheltered markets and cafés made for a slow afternoon.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- Suzhou Museum 204 Dong Bei Jie, Gu Su Qu, Su Zhou Shi, Jiang Su Sheng, China, 215005
- Suzhou Silk Museum 2001 Ren Min Lu, Ping Jiang Qu, Su Zhou Shi, Jiang Su Sheng, China, 215003
- Chaozong Pavilion China, Jiang Su Sheng, Su Zhou Shi, Gu Su Qu, Bei Hao Nong, 方基上50 邮政编码: 215003
- Suzhou Garden Museum Gusu District, Suzhou, China, 215005
- Taipingtianguo Zhongwang Mansion 204 Dong Bei Jie, 平江区 Gu Su Qu, Su Zhou Shi, Jiang Su Sheng, China, 215005
- Suzhou Art Gallery China, Jiang Su Sheng, Su Zhou Shi, Gu Su Qu, Ren Min Lu, 2075号苏州市公共文化中心内 邮政编码: 215003
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- Gusu Chengwai Art Museum China, Su Zhou Shi, Gu Su Qu, CN 江苏省 苏州市 姑苏区 南门路 989 989号蓝·989文化创意仓库1栋101/102 邮政编码: 215007
- Yilinyuan 450 Gan Jiang Dong Lu, 450, Gu Su Qu, Su Zhou Shi, Jiang Su Sheng, China, 215005
- Caijinxing Yandiao Art Hall 32 Bei Ma Tou, Gu Su Qu, Su Zhou Shi, Jiang Su Sheng, China, 215003
- Binlong Art Museum China, Jiang Su Sheng, Su Zhou Shi, Gu Su Qu, 212, Guan Qian Jie, 212号3F 邮政编码: 215005
- 5D Starry Sky Illusion Art Museum China, Su Zhou Shi, Gu Su Qu, 4F CN 江苏省 苏州市 姑苏区 皮市街 1 1号久泰商厦 邮政编码: 215005
- Xiangyun Ivory Carving Art Museum 227 Gan Jiang Xi Lu, 227, Gu Su Qu, Su Zhou Shi, Jiang Su Sheng, China, 215002
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Shuangta Fair Trade Market 8J4P+Q49, Wang Xing Qiao Bei Tu, Cang Lang Qu, Su Zhou Shi, Jiang Su Sheng, China, 215005
- Xinmin Bridge Vegetable Market 8J92+RHR, Guang Ji Lu, Jin Chang Qu, Su Zhou Shi, Jiang Su Sheng, China, 215008
- 彩香一村农贸市场 China, Jiang Su Sheng, Su Zhou Shi, 金阊区干将西路彩香一村三区 邮政编码: 215008
- Suzhou South Gate Market 7JQC+QJ7, Canglang, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China, 215007
- Mayike Vegetable Market 8J59+87H, Yong Ding Si Nong, Ping Jiang Qu, Su Zhou Shi, Jiang Su Sheng, China, 215005
- Suzhou Caixiang Road Second-hand Goods Transaction Market 8H4R+JWQ, Cai Xiang Lu, Jin Chang Qu, Su Zhou Shi, Jiang Su Sheng, China, 215008
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- Starbucks 5 Bei Hao Nong, 山塘街 Gu Su Qu, Su Zhou Shi, Jiang Su Sheng, China, 215000
- Sparrow Coffee 681 Shi Quan Jie, Gu Su Qu, Su Zhou Shi, Jiang Su Sheng, China, 215005
- Starbucks China, Su Zhou Shi, Gu Su Qu, CN 江苏省 苏州市 姑苏区 临顿路101-141号长发商厦 邮政编码: 215000
- Starbucks Coffee Gusu District, Suzhou, China, 215005
- Starbucks Coffee China, Jiang Su Sheng, Su Zhou Shi, Gu Su Qu, Dao Qian Jie, 42号附近 邮政编码: 215005
- Starbucks Coffee China, Jiang Su Sheng, Su Zhou Shi, Gu Su Qu, 步行街8J6H+97J 邮政编码: 215005
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- Suzhou Industrial Park In City Shopping Centre China, Su Zhou Shi, Wu Zhong Qu, 江苏省苏州市吴中区现代大道1699号 邮政编码: 215005
- Senso Place 219 Guang Ji Nan Lu, Gu Su Qu, Su Zhou Shi, Jiang Su Sheng, China, 215008
- 观前街商业步行街 China, Jiang Su Sheng, Su Zhou Shi, 平江区观前街 邮政编码: 215005
- Fengmen Hengjie Street China, Su Zhou Shi, 近 Feng Men Jie Dao, Mo Ye Lu, CN 江苏省 苏州市 姑苏区 邮政编码: 215006
- Yuyuan Garden Shopping Mall 58 Bi Feng Fang, Ping Jiang Qu, Su Zhou Shi, Jiang Su Sheng, China, 215005
- Huamao Gusuli 258 Jin Men Lu, 258, Gu Su Qu, Su Zhou Shi, Jiang Su Sheng, China, 215008
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 30 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.