Suzhou Museum

Introduction to Suzhou Museum (苏州博物馆)

Founded in 1960 and originally located in the national historic landmark, Zhong Wang Fu palace complex. Suzhou Museum has been a highly-regarded regional museum with a number of significant Chinese cultural relics. A new museum designed by world famous architect I.M.Pei was completed in October 2006, covering over 10,700 square meters and located at the cross of Dongbei Street and Qimen Road. 

The design of this new museum visually complements the traditional architecture of Zhong Wang Fu. The new museum owns over 30,000 cultural relics --- most notably for excavated artifacts, Ming and Qing Dynasty paintings, calligraphy, ancient arts and crafts.

The museum building itself is an attraction, having been designed by Ieoh Ming Pei, the world renowned award-winning architect. Its design, influenced heavily by its location next to a UNESCO classical garden, and the nationally important artefacts inside, make this one of the top museums in China.

Recording the ways and traditions of Suzhou, the Suzhou Museum of Folk Customs is testament to the importance Suzhou places on protecting its lifestyle heritage, while the Suzhou Urban Planning Exhibition Hall does the same for Suzhou’s built heritage. Moreover, the museum exhibits the Suzhou culture. 

Location

No.202 Dongbei Street, Gusu District, Suzhou

Main Sights

Wu Kingdom Treasure Hall, Wu Pagoda Relics Hall, Wu Elegant Life Style Hall, Wu Paintings and Calligraphies Hall

Travel Information

Admission Fee: Free

Opening Hours: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (Closed Mondays)

Transportation 

1. Take buses 1, 2, 5, 40, 55,178, 202, 309, 313, 518, 529, 811 or 923.

Travel Tips 

1. Try to avoid visiting Suzhou Museum during the summer holidays and Golden Week in October. There are many tour groups and local tourists during national holidays.