Movie & TV Filming Locations in Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
1. Master of Nets Garden
A traditional Chinese garden that doubles as the backdrop for films like 'The Grandmaster'. Known for its unique bridge-over-water feature and rockeries.
- Iconic Bridge: Offers a stunning photo opportunity, unlike other gardens in Suzhou.
- Rockery Art: Features intricate rock formations carved to resemble mountains and other natural landscapes.
- Film Connection: Gained popularity as a filming location for 'The Grandmaster'.
2. Pingjiang Road
An ancient water town street featured in TV series like 'Story of Yanxi Palace'. Famous for its traditional architecture and shops.
- Waterfront Shops: Unique blend of souvenir, food, and local culture shops along the canal.
- Traditional Architecture: Well-preserved traditional Suzhou houses line the street.
- TV Show Filming: Frequently used as a filming location for popular TV series.
3. Lion Grove Garden
Another UNESCO World Heritage site with a pavilion and rocks featured in 'Memoirs of a Geisha'. Known for its unique 'scholar's stones'.
- Scholar's Stones: Large, unusually shaped stones collected and displayed for their aesthetic value.
- Unique Pavilion: A distinctive octagonal pavilion overlooking a sea of white peonies during spring.
- Film Connection: Appeared in the film 'Memoirs of a Geisha'.
4. Tiger Hill (Huqiu)
An ancient hill with a historic pagoda used as a setting in 'Curse of the Golden Flower'. Famous for its cherry blossoms and panoramic city views.
- Historic Pagoda: A seven-story structure dating back to the Southern Song Dynasty.
- Cherry Blossoms: Beautiful blossoms bloom in early spring, attracting many tourists.
- Film Connection: Featured in 'Curse of the Golden Flower'.
5. Overseas Chinese Town (Shihumen)
A unique area showcasing overseas Chinese architecture and culture in 'The Founding of a Republic'. Known for its distinctive residential buildings.
- Overseas Chinese Architecture: Features a blend of Western, Southeast Asian, and Chinese styles.
- Cultural Exhibits: Offers insights into the history and traditions of overseas Chinese communities.
- Film Connection: Used as a filming location for 'The Founding of a Republic'.
6. Shantang Street
A historical street with traditional shops and tea houses that appeared in 'Story of Yanxi Palace'. Known for its quaint canal-side atmosphere.
- Tea Houses: Authentic Suzhou tea houses serving traditional Chinese tea.
- Quaint Canal-Side Atmosphere: Unique combination of shops, restaurants, and scenic canals.
- Film Connection: Featured in 'Story of Yanxi Palace'.
7. Tongli Town
An ancient water town with bridges, canals, and ancient buildings used as a filming location for 'Memoirs of a Geisha'. Known for its unique interlacing canal system.
- Interlacing Canals: Unusual network of canals that intersect and crisscross throughout the town.
- Traditional Buildings: Well-preserved ancient architecture showcasing traditional Suzhou design.
- Film Connection: Used as a filming location for 'Memoirs of a Geisha'.
8. Humble Administrator's Garden
Another UNESCO World Heritage site with a unique floating corridor featured in 'The Founding of a Republic'. Known for its beautiful lotus pond and rockeries.
- Floating Corridor: A distinctive bridge that appears to float on water, leading to the main hall.
- Lotus Pond: A large pond where lotuses bloom in summer, adding a touch of beauty to the garden.
- Film Connection: Featured in 'The Founding of a Republic'.
9. Zhouzhuang Town
An ancient water town with bridges, canals, and ancient buildings used as a filming location for 'Journey to the West'. Known for its unique 'double bridges'.
- Double Bridges: A series of bridges with unique designs, including those that appear twice in one span.
- Traditional Buildings: Well-preserved ancient architecture showcasing traditional Suzhou design.
- Film Connection: Used as a filming location for 'Journey to the West'.
10. Lingering Garden (Biyuan)
A UNESCO World Heritage site with a unique 'broken bridge' and a famous 'drunken pavilion'. Known for its beautiful peonies and lotuses.
- Broken Bridge: A picturesque wooden bridge that seems to end in the middle of a small pond.
- Drunken Pavilion: A quirky pavilion designed to appear as if it's leaning drunkenly, offering beautiful views of the garden.
- Film Connection: Featured in 'The Love of Three Oranges'.
11. Silk Wool Spinning Museum (Lingering Garden)
A museum set within the Lingering Garden that was used as a filming location for 'The Founding of an Army'. Known for its demonstrations of traditional silk production.
- Traditional Silk Production: Offers insight into the process of transforming raw silk into beautiful fabrics.
- Historic Buildings: Located within the UNESCO World Heritage site, Lingering Garden.
- Film Connection: Featured as a filming location for 'The Founding of an Army'.
12. Dushu Lake
A large lake with modern architecture used as a setting in the TV series 'Story of Yanxi Palace'. Known for its beautiful sunsets and bird watching opportunities.
- Modern Architecture: Surrounded by modern buildings, offering a stark contrast to the traditional surroundings.
- Bird Watching: A popular spot for bird watching, with numerous species found along its shores.
- Film Connection: Featured as a setting in the TV series 'Story of Yanxi Palace'.
13. Shihu Park
A park with traditional Suzhou architecture and a beautiful lake used as a filming location for 'The Founding of an Army'. Known for its stunning lotus pond.
- Traditional Architecture: Features traditional Suzhou houses and bridges throughout the park.
- Lotus Pond: A large pond where lotuses bloom in summer, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
- Film Connection: Featured as a filming location for 'The Founding of an Army'.
14. Pingjiang Dock (Tigertail River)
A dock located on the Tigertail River that appeared in the TV series 'Story of Yanxi Palace'. Known for its boat tours and scenic views.
- Boat Tours: Offers scenic boat tours along the Tigertail River.
- Scenic Views: Beautiful views of the river, canals, and traditional architecture.
- Film Connection: Featured as a location in the TV series 'Story of Yanxi Palace'.
15. Panmen Gate and City Wall (Tongli Town)
A historic gate and city wall from the Ming Dynasty used as a setting in 'Curse of the Golden Flower'. Known for its unique double gate design.
- Double Gate Design: A double-gated city wall, a rare feature from the Ming Dynasty.
- Historic Significance: One of the oldest and best-preserved city walls in China.
- Film Connection: Featured as a setting in 'Curse of the Golden Flower'.