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Bargain for Chinese Silk in Suzhou
Published on March 13, 2012 by Camilla Cheung, Writer
Country: China 
The Experience
You can’t walk down a street in Suzhou without coming across a silk store. Suzhou (also known as Soochow) is one of the top destinations in China for authentic classical gardens, complete with rock gardens, pagodas, glimmering pools full of goldfish, towering bamboo, and intricately carved wood buildings. It is easy to see how the Chinese city has garnered a reputation for being “paradise on earth”. As you stroll along the garden walkways, it’s easy to imagine a time when the gardens catered to silk-clad Chinese ladies carrying dainty parasols, and somber calligraphers dressed in black, enjoying the fresh air.
In the midst of this idyllic atmosphere, a vibrant Chinese silk industry flourishes, making Suzhou one of the hubs for the textile industry in China. Grab a ride on a pedicab and ask the driver to take you to one of the popular silk stores on Renmin Street, the main drag, or a silk store on pretty much any major street in town. The Suzhou No 1 Silk Factory is a major attraction. As you enter the store, glimpses of ethereal Chinese silk scarves, shimmering silk gowns, and delicate comforters greet your eyes.
In most of the major silk factories in Suzhou, you’ll be treated to a demonstration of how the silk products are made. Silkworm cocoons are dipped into boiling water to kill the silkworm inside. The clean silk cocoons are then pulled and stretched out by hand to spread the fibers. One popular item that most tourists buy in Suzhou is a silk comforter—a comforter stuffed full of fluffed-up silk fibers. The comforters have a reputation for breathability and warmth, and are certainly a luxury item. To doll up the cotton cover of your silk comforter, you can buy a smoothly woven silk duvet cover in a variety of prints; these silk covers can cost more than the silk comforter itself due to the quality of the weaving and dying. You might also want to pick up some Suzhou silk embroidery, silk fans, and other handicrafts.
If by any chance you happen to be on the lookout for a wedding gown, head over to Tiger Hill, where an enormous bridal district caters to brides across China. Here you can snag a well-made bridal gown for a bargain price—often just $100 to $200 (USD). Dozens of other stores create custom dresses and sell veils, shoes, and other accessories. Even if you’re not planning a wedding, the wedding district is a sight to see. Grooms and other visitors who are uninterested in the bridal shopping can check out Tiger Hill Pagoda or the canals and streets nearby.
After a day of garden-hopping and silk-shopping, you’re sure to be tired. Luckily, Suzhou is a major tourist destination and boasts its fair share of excellent hotels, many of which cater to foreigners. If you’ve got the money, the Sheraton and Holiday Inn are a good bet, and if you’re on a budget, there are several international youth hostels in the center of the city.
In the midst of this idyllic atmosphere, a vibrant Chinese silk industry flourishes, making Suzhou one of the hubs for the textile industry in China. Grab a ride on a pedicab and ask the driver to take you to one of the popular silk stores on Renmin Street, the main drag, or a silk store on pretty much any major street in town. The Suzhou No 1 Silk Factory is a major attraction. As you enter the store, glimpses of ethereal Chinese silk scarves, shimmering silk gowns, and delicate comforters greet your eyes.
In most of the major silk factories in Suzhou, you’ll be treated to a demonstration of how the silk products are made. Silkworm cocoons are dipped into boiling water to kill the silkworm inside. The clean silk cocoons are then pulled and stretched out by hand to spread the fibers. One popular item that most tourists buy in Suzhou is a silk comforter—a comforter stuffed full of fluffed-up silk fibers. The comforters have a reputation for breathability and warmth, and are certainly a luxury item. To doll up the cotton cover of your silk comforter, you can buy a smoothly woven silk duvet cover in a variety of prints; these silk covers can cost more than the silk comforter itself due to the quality of the weaving and dying. You might also want to pick up some Suzhou silk embroidery, silk fans, and other handicrafts.
If by any chance you happen to be on the lookout for a wedding gown, head over to Tiger Hill, where an enormous bridal district caters to brides across China. Here you can snag a well-made bridal gown for a bargain price—often just $100 to $200 (USD). Dozens of other stores create custom dresses and sell veils, shoes, and other accessories. Even if you’re not planning a wedding, the wedding district is a sight to see. Grooms and other visitors who are uninterested in the bridal shopping can check out Tiger Hill Pagoda or the canals and streets nearby.
After a day of garden-hopping and silk-shopping, you’re sure to be tired. Luckily, Suzhou is a major tourist destination and boasts its fair share of excellent hotels, many of which cater to foreigners. If you’ve got the money, the Sheraton and Holiday Inn are a good bet, and if you’re on a budget, there are several international youth hostels in the center of the city.
When to Go to Suzhou Silk Factory
The best time to visit a Suzhou silk factory is during the spring, summer, and fall, when the gardens are at their most beautiful. In spring, you may be able to catch the plum trees in bloom. The silk factories and stores are open year-round. If you're headed to the major Suzhou tourist attractions, try to avoid arriving at mid-morning and early afternoon, when most of the large tour groups arrive.
Odds n' Ends
Foreign travelers in Suzhou can be a target for price-gouging and other unscrupulous business practices. When bargaining for silk, keep in mind that the item is likely overpriced by at least a third. Stand your ground, and go to the next shop if you don't get the price you want.
When hiring transportation, metered taxis are your best bet. Pedicabs and motorcycle taxis are fun, but are often more expensive than a metered taxi. Because they are less regulated, pedicab and motorcycle taxi drivers are more likely to overcharge unsuspecting tourists. Keep in mind that most drivers don't speak English, so have your destination written down in Chinese (your hotel front desk should be able to help with this).
When hiring transportation, metered taxis are your best bet. Pedicabs and motorcycle taxis are fun, but are often more expensive than a metered taxi. Because they are less regulated, pedicab and motorcycle taxi drivers are more likely to overcharge unsuspecting tourists. Keep in mind that most drivers don't speak English, so have your destination written down in Chinese (your hotel front desk should be able to help with this).
Places to Stay Nearby
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
Scholars Inn Jinmen is a 3 star business hotel which is located in the heart of Suzhou. a city which is as beautiful as picture. ... 0 miles away
$269 CNY+
New City Garden Hotel Suzhou is the finest international 4-Star Hotel in Suzhou. The hotel is conveniently located in the west of the Airport. It ... 0 miles away
$433 CNY+
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