Access to Suzhou

Suzhou, located in the economically developed area of the Yangtze Delta, has convenient transportation.
Suzhou is only 86km away from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. With the high-class airport expressway special highway, it takes only 70minutes from Suzhou to Hongqiao Airport. Most of the overseas tourists to Suzhou come and leave the area from Hongqiao Airport. It has become the main port for people to fly to and from between Suzhou and other domestic and foreign cities. Besides, the Guangfu Airport in the western suburb of Suzhou has opened scheduled flights to Beijing and Foshan.

Suzhou Railway Station is a national first-grade station recognized by the National Railway Department. It can hold 1500 passengers at a time. There is also a high-class VIP Waiting Room. The station handles nearly 95 trains and receives over 40,000 passengers everyday.

The network of highways between Suzhou and nearby cities is developed, including the Hu-ning Expressway, No.312 State Highway, No.318 State Highway, Su-yu Highway, Su-hang Highway, etc. Su-jia-hang Expressway is now under construction and will be completed before October 1,2000.

Suzhou also retains the unique inland river shipping route-Suzhou-Hangzhou passenger liner. It sets sail at dusk everyday and arrives in the morning. It goes along the Grand Canal and enables the passengers to see the ancient bridges, ancient towns, ancient ferries and ancient towing tie paths and to appreciate the life of families on water and Jiangnan idyllic scenery before it gets dark. There are about 6 to 8 liners sailing everyday, taking about 1000 passengers.

Airports

22 kilometers southwest to the Suzhou City proper, Suzhou Guangfu Airport was opened in February, 1994 with 2 scheduled flights: one from Suzhou to Beijing and the other from Suzhou to Foshan. The airport can handle 24,000 passengers and 150 tons of cargo every year and has a 2,100-square-meter waiting hall that can receive 400 passengers.

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is only 86kilometers away from Suzhou. The Su-Hu Airport Expressway which has cost 389.5 billion yuan has now been completed, and the time taken from Suzhou to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport has been lessened from the original 3 hours to the 1.15 hours now, which brings great convenience to the Suzhou outside tourists.

Taxi

Presently, Suzhou City boasts 2,003 taxis, and 356 large and middle-sized tour taxis. 336 taxis from Wu County also come to the city to provide service. In view of the dimensions of the city, there are now enough tour vehicles to meet the needs of the tourists from home and abroad.

River, Lake and Sea Piers

The Passenger Station of the Suzhou Steamer Company covers an area of 3,000 square meters. The waiting hall can hold more than 1,500 passengers, and has complete facilities. The passenger pier square covers an area of 1,000 square meters. Along the bank can berth over 20 boats and ships. The Suzhou Steamer Company is mainly responsible for the water traffic between Suzhou and Hangzhou and provides parts to regular buses.