Where to Go this Sept: Visit Suzhou Gardens at NIGHT

Sep 07 2025

September is one of the best times to travel near Shanghai. The summer heat begins to fade, students return to school, and the world suddenly feels quieter. Beloved destinations that were bustling just a few weeks ago are now calm and welcoming again - at least until the October Golden Week, when crowds return in full force.

This brief window of tranquility makes September the perfect month for a weekend getaway. And this year, there's something extra special to look forward to: night-time garden visits in Suzhou - an experience that hasn't been available for many years but has returned in 2025.

In the past, only very few of Suzhou gardens were open in the evenings. But this year, five additional gardens are staying open until 9:00 PM, giving visitors a rare chance to experience these UNESCO World Heritage Sites in a completely different light - quite literally.

The perks of an evening visit are obvious. The gardens are cooler and less crowded, making it easier to enjoy their beauty. Soft lighting illuminates the ancient trees, winding corridors, and still ponds, transforming them into glowing, dreamlike landscapes. Under the moonlight, these gardens feel even more poetic - as if you've stepped into a living scroll of Chinese watercolor painting.

We spent last weekend in Suzhou exploring this new nighttime experience, and we're excited to share our top two recommendations for your September escape.

1. Canglang Pavilion (沧浪亭)

Unlike many Suzhou gardens enclosed by high walls, Canglang Pavilion has an open layout, with flowing waterways on its sides. This design allows you to appreciate the garden's beauty even before stepping inside.

Picture this: the moonlight shining over a pavilion, its reflection shimmering in the river, with elegant corridors and layered rooftops stretching across the water. It’s a composition straight out of a traditional Chinese painting.

Inside the garden, gentle lighting brings the bamboo groves to life, while intricately carved lattice windows cast delicate shadows on the stone pathways. The atmosphere is tranquil and enchanting - a moment where past and present seem to merge.

2. The Master of the Nets Garden (网师园)

The Master of the Nets Garden offers a different kind of magic. At night, it transforms into a vibrant cultural stage, with live performances of Suzhou Opera (traditional ballad singing), Chinese traditional instrument performance, and other local arts taking place amid the illuminated pavilions and ponds.

This lively atmosphere makes the garden feel completely different from a daytime visit - more theatrical, more immersive. While the evening ticket is priced higher than daytime admission (RMB 120 vs. RMB 40, yikes!), we think it's well worth it for this one-of-a-kind experience.

Beyond the gardens, Suzhou itself is a joy to explore in September. Take a leisurely stroll along the city's ancient waterways, savor seasonal delicacies at a local restaurant, or simply relax and soak in the slower pace of this beautifully preserved old city.

So before Golden Week arrives, pack your bag, hop on a high-speed train, and treat yourself to a magical weekend escape just 30 minutes away from Shanghai.