Weather: May marks the transition between spring and summer. The highest temperature in the month might reach 30 °C (86 °F). The average nightly low temperature is 16 °C (61 °F), and the average daily high temperature reaches a warm 24 °C (75 °F). It rains about 10 days of the month, and total precipitation is about 115 mm.
Clothing: Long sleeves, T-shirts, and trousers are suitable for May. Rainy days are not frequent, but check the weather forecast and take rain gear when rain is likely. Check the current Suzhou weather and forecast>>
Suzhou May Weather Data Graphs
Things to Do in Suzhou in May
May in one of Suzhou's gardensHumble Administrator's Garden: The big Suzhou gardens are the highlight of Suzhou, and this is the largest of the popular large and artistically landscaped Chinese gardens in Suzhou. It was laid out in 1509 and rebuilt several times. It measures 52,000 square meters (12 acres). It features a pond as seen in the picture above with a lot of birds, little bridges, and pavilions with artistic stonework where you can sit and contemplate the views.
The Lingering Garden: This garden is designed to make you feel that your are in an ancient Chinese countryside and forest. Chinese instrumental music is played as you walk the winding paths. The paths wind around an artificial hill that looks like a mountain and smaller hills, boulders, and caves. Miniature bonsai trees are arrayed to look like a forest. The pavilions and a coffee shop are vantage points to enjoy the view.
Shop on Guanqianjie Pedestrian Street: This pedestrian shopping street is popular with foreign tourists. It is in the center of the city and is free of vehicles. The street combines malls, luxury stores, entertainment, fine restaurants, and inexpensive food booths. It isn't the best place for bargains, but if you are not there for serious money-saving shopping but more to have a good time and experience the culture of China, it is a good place to go.
Touring Suzhou in May
High Travel Month
May falls during the peak travel season. The month starts with one of China's biggest public holidays on May 1. The May Day holidays lasts three days. We recommend traveling earlier or after the first week of May.
Millions of people travel domestically and internationally, and air travel fares double and even triple. People normally have to book weeks ahead for holiday travel. The prices for target hotel accommodations and train tickets likewise increase at the end of the month. We can help you book the rooms and tickets and find discounts.
Recommended Tour
2-day Tour of Suzhou's Gardens: You'll visit the Master of Nets Garden, the Humble Administrator's Garden, and the Lingering Garden. Enjoy a rickshaw ride in an old city hutong and ride a motorboat to see the Grand Canal.
You can modify these tours while booking, or design your own our.
Further Reading
Suzhou Climate Information by Month
- Suzhou Weather in January
- Suzhou Weather in February
- Suzhou Weather in March
- Suzhou Weather in April
- Suzhou Weather in May
- Suzhou Weather in June
- Suzhou Weather in July
- Suzhou Weather in August
- Suzhou Weather in September
- Suzhou Weather in October
- Suzhou Weather in November
- Suzhou Weather in December