Located in the Yangtze River Delta Plain and the Taihu Lake Plain, Suzhou of Jiangsu Province, China is crossed by rivers and dotted with lakes. Owing to its geographical location, the weather in Suzhou is generally pleasant. It experiences a subtropical monsoon maritime climate, with four distinct seasons, mild temperatures, and abundant rainfall.
The average annual temperature of Suzhou is about 16°C (61°F), with the hottest month being July and the coldest being January. What’s more, Suzhou’s spring and autumn bring pleasant weather, while summers are hot and humid, and winters are cold and relatively dry.
Moreover, Suzhou boasts an average annual precipitation of about 1076.2 mm, and June to July is typically the plum rain season. If you are planning a trip to Suzhou during Summer days in June or July, check the Suzhou weather forecast before you go.
Best Time to Visit Suzhou
Being a famous historical city and a charming water town, Suzhou presents unique appeal in different seasons and welcomes visitors all year round. But the best time to visit Suzhou is during the seasons of spring and autumn when the weather in Suzhou is mild and the surroundings are beautiful, which makes your trip there more enjoyable.
Besides, if possible, avoid visiting Suzhou on China’s public holidays, such as the May Day Holiday from May 1st to 5th or the National Day Holiday from October 1st to 7th, during which the tourist attractions will be too crowded.
Suzhou Weather by Month
| Month | Highest Temperature (°C) | Lowest Temperature (°C) | Recommended Rate |
| January | 8 | 1 | ☆☆ |
| February | 10 | 3 | ☆☆☆ |
| March | 15 | 7 | ☆☆☆☆ |
| April | 29 | 12 | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| May | 25 | 18 | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| June | 28 | 22 | ☆☆☆☆ |
| July | 32 | 26 | ☆☆☆ |
| August | 32 | 26 | ☆☆☆ |
| September | 27 | 21 | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| October | 23 | 16 | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| November | 17 | 10 | ☆☆☆☆ |
| December | 10 | 3 | ☆☆☆ |
Suzhou Weather in Different Seasons
Spring (March to May)
Suzhou weather in spring turns warm and comfortable, with an average temperature of about 15 °C during the daytime and about 10 °C at night. Despite the sharp temperate changes, spring is still one of the best times to visit this city, as the Suzhou gardens are at their most beautiful then. Other than its natural beauty, spring in Suzhou offers a variety of cultural activities for visitors to explore.
What to Wear
Long-sleeve shirts, thin knitwear, jeans, casual pants, a trench coat or a light jacket.
Recommended Activities in Spring
- Explore classical gardens like Humble Administrator’s Garden, Master of the Nets Garden, and Lingering Garden.
- Take a day tour of Suzhou water towns such as Tongli, Zhouzhuang, or Luzhi. Besides, don’t hesitate to take a boat ride to experience the charm of them.
- Attend the West Hill Taihu Plum Blossom Festival, the Tiger Hill Flower Fair, or the Humble Administrator’s Garden Azalea Festival.
Recommended Suzhou Spring Tours
- 3 Days Suzhou Tour with Classical Gardens
- Suzhou Day Tour to Zhouzhuang Ancient Town and Pingjiang Road
Summer (June to August)
The summer weather of Suzhou in Jiangsu is hot and rainy, with temperatures averaging around 28°C during the day and 23°C at night. Besides, the plum rain season from mid-June to early July brings abundant rainfall.
What to Wear
T-shirts, shorts, skirts or dresses, sun-proof clothing, and hats.
Recommended Activities in Summer
- Discover cultural attractionsin Suzhou like Suzhou Museum, Suzhou Silk Museum, or Hanshan Temple.
- Watch the famous Kunqu Opera performances.
- Take a wooden boat to cruise down the canal to enjoy the scenery
Recommended Suzhou Summer Tours
Autumn (September to November)
Suzhou weather in autumn is comfortable, with temperatures averaging around 20°C during the day and 16°C at night. Besides, the gardens in Suzhou are also beautiful at this time, and you’ll see the gardens filled with golden and red leaves.
What to Wear
Long-sleeve shirts, thin sweaters, light jackets, long pants.
Recommended Activities in Autumn
- Embark on a Suzhou tour to explore the beautiful gardens, such as Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lion Grove Garden, and Lingering Garden. Besides, the West Hill Plum Blossom Garden is also worth visiting.
- Wander through Shantang Street or Pingjiang Road so as to experience the life of local people. Besides, explore the markets and shops there for souvenirs.
- Explore natural attractions, including Tiger Hill and Jinji Lake for beautiful mountain and lake views. In addition, don’t miss the Autumn Temple Fair (September to October), where you’ll get the chance to see exciting performances and try traditional Suzhou-style snacks.
Recommended Suzhou Autumn Tours
Winter (December to February)
In winter, the weather in Suzhou, China is cold and dry. Typically, the temperatures average about 6°C during the day and 3°C at night. Though it’s an off-season with relatively fewer tourists, winter in Suzhou still has its own unique charm. For instance, when there is occasional snow, the gardens and water towns there will be transformed into an icy wonderland.
What to Wear
Down jackets or woolen coats, sweaters, jeans.
Recommended Activities in Winter
- Indulge yourself in the traditional culture of Suzhou by attending the Suzhou Crafts Fair and Suzhou Paper-Cutting Art Exhibition.
- Explore temples and pagodas such as HanshanTemple or Cloud Rock Leaning Pagoda on Tiger Hill, experiencing the bell ringing on New Year’s Eve.
- Savor traditional delicacies such as winter-brewed wine, Laba porridge, eight-treasure rice, and sweet rice cakes.
