Golden Gate is a prominent historical attraction, located near the ancient Shilu Pedestrianized Street. The gate was built in 1931 and is divided into three arches. The Golden Gate was appropriately named after the wealth and prosperity the citizens hoped it would provide for the city.

Shan Tang Street is an old street, which houses a number of ancient buildings (some of which were occupied by prominent individuals from the various dynasties). The street stretches for approximately 2.5 kilometers and is a prime venue for shopping.

The Garden of Cultivation is one of the best preserved examples of a Ming Dynasty classical garden in Suzhou. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Classical Gardens of Suzhou on the World Heritage list. The Garden of Cultivation was built in 1541 CE by Yuan Zugeng. The 3,967m2 garden is divided into an eastern section of residence and a western garden section. Altogether the garden has 13 pavilions, 17 tablets, and eight stelae. The Western section is composed of several pavilions around the main Lotus Pond, a rockery, and a smaller garden addition named The Garden of Sweet Grasses. The structure of the garden is formed along a north to south axis which ties the three main elements of rockery, pool, and hall together. The garden is very typical of the Ming Dynasty design aesthetic because of its clear composition in plan and the elegance and simplicity of its elements. It also has the most Ming dynasty relics of any garden in Suzhou.

Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty is located on 272 Jingde Rd., inside the Embroidery Museum. In 1997, it was recognized with other classical Suzhou gardens as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The history of Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty may date back to Jin Dynasty, when Education Minister Wang Xun and his brother Wang Min donated their residential house to build Jingde Temple. Later it was rebuilt and in 1949 the garden became property of the government and in 1988 was declared a major historic site. The 2,180 m2 garden is composed along a linear axis with three main elements: a grotto called Autumn Hill, and Flying Snow Pool, fed by a waterfall called Flying Snow Spring, and a main hall. The rock work in this garden displays every technique and effect used in Chinese gardens. In addition, it is a recreation of the five important mountains of China, and shows a mastery of creating a sense of vast space in a small area.

Shilu Pedestrianized Street is defined as the city’s second commercial street. In English, the street means "Stone Road" and was paved with stones during the Qing Dynasty. Shilu is another prime shopping spot, home to a number of different shops, commercial stores, restaurants, fountains, towering trees and neon lights.

Xiyuan Temple was built during the Yuan Dynasty and destroyed by the Qing Dynasty. The temple has since been reconstructed by the Emperors Tongzhi and Guangxu. Xiyuan Temple is famous for its styles, combining terrific landscape with the sacred infrastructures. It is the largest temple of its kind in the city.

Near the Xiyuan Temple you will discover a tiny city park, known to locals as Classical Chinese Garden. The small park is a quiet place, ideal for recreational as well as intellectual opportunities. The park clearly combines beautiful landscape and water into nature.

Hanshan Temple, literally "Cold Mountain Temple", is a Buddhist temple and monastery. It is located at the town of Fengqiao, about five kilometers west of the old city of Suzhou. Traditionally, Hanshan Temple is believed to have been founded during the Tianjian era (502-519) of the reign of Emperor Wu of Liang, in the Southern and Northern Dynasties period. The current name of the monastery derives from Hanshan, the legendary monk and poet. Hanshan and his disciple Shide are said to have come to the monastery during the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang (627-649), where Hanshan became the abbot.