Designed by the famous architect Ieoh Ming Pei, Suzhou Museum is a historical and artistic museum in Suzhou, sitting on the very site of the Residence of Zhongwang (Li Xiucheng, a leading general of Taiping Heavenly Kingdom), and it’s now listed as one of the key cultural relic units under China’s state protection.
With an exhibition area of 2,200 square meters, Suzhou Museum is home to over 15,000 pieces of collections, 240 of which are grade one cultural relics, including Chinese paintings and calligraphies, porcelains, gold and silver wares, jade wares and precious stones.
Highlights of Suzhou Museum
Suzhou MuseumFeaturing a southern Chinese architectural style, Suzhou Museum is well-equipped with advanced service facilities and combines modern and ancient elements together. It completely highlights the history and cultural connotation of Suzhou, and it’s become an important educational, recreational and cultural base for visitors who want to learn more about Suzhou.
Suzhou Museum faces south and is divided into three areas: Central Area, West Area and East Area. The buildings are symmetrically distributed along a central axis, and it also harmoniously complements its neighbor, the Humble Administrator's Garden.
Central Area is composed of the entrance, the main hall and a garden. West Area holds the main exhibition halls, and East Area is comprised of the modern art gallery, the tea bar and administrative offices. The main hall serves as a passage to all exhibition halls where the double towers, local handicrafts and porcelains of the Ming and Qing dynasties are exhibited. The paintings and calligraphic works are exhibited on the 2nd floor of the main hall, all of which are done by famous painters and calligraphers of various dynasties. The modern works of art are exhibited in glasswares in the modern art gallery. Some exhibition halls, such as the Wu Cultural Exhibition Hall and the Video Hall are arranged at the basement, which are accessible through an elevator. East Area is also linked to the Residence of Zhongwang by a path. The Residence of Zhongwang has had its original appearance restored after several renovations, where a number of furniture items and sculptures have been retained.
Suzhou Museum is very close to the Humble Administrator's Garden and Lion Grove Garden, so you’re highly recommended to visit them together to get the most out of your Suzhou trip.
Travel Essentials
Location: 204, Dongbei Street, Pingjiang District, Suzhou
Transportation: buses 112 and 202 can take you there
Opening times: 9:00am-5:00pm except Mondays
