Missing the Suzhou Museum in Gusu is really like making a trip for nothing
When it comes to museums, Suzhou is definitely one of the most unique. It was one of the earlier museums I visited. When I first saw it, I was amazed that a museum could be made like this, it was really stunning!
✅ Three Main Exhibition Halls
◾ The Wuzhong Pagoda is divided into the Pagoda Radiating Auspicious Light and the Treasures of Tiger Hill. It displays precious cultural relics found from the Ruiguang Pagoda during the Eastern Wu period.
◾ The Treasures of Wu are divided into Morning Light Faintly Shining, Contending Lords of Spring and Autumn, Brocade of the South of the Yangtze, and Rhythms of the Metropolis. It showcases archaeological artifacts unearthed in Suzhou.
◾ The Elegance of Wuzhong is divided into Study Long Objects, Treasures of Pottery Governance, Ingenious Strategies for Carving Jade, Divine Work of Carving, Elegant Study Room Affairs, Casual Pastimes, Ink Play in the Thatched Cottage, and Brocade of Floating Life. It displays cultural relics collected and appreciated in Suzhou during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
✅ Treasures of the Museum
1️⃣ The Pearl Relic Stupa
A container for offering relics, connected with pearls and other treasures, the stupa is 1.22 meters tall and made entirely of nanmu wood. Especially the dragon, which is made of over 36,000 pearls strung together with silver thread.
2️⃣ Ginkgo Wood Painted Statues of the Four Heavenly Kings
The inner wall is inscribed with the words 'Recorded on April 18th of the Dazhong Xiangfu sixth year', and the outer wall of the wooden case is painted with images of the Four Heavenly Kings, bearing the artistic legacy of Wu Daozi, the painting sage of the Tang Dynasty.
3️⃣ Relic Pearls
Relic pearls are crystalline remains left after the cremation of ancient enlightened monks. There are a total of 9 relic pearls in the gourd bottle.
4️⃣ Gold Script on Blue Paper 'Lotus Sutra'
Discovered in the Ruiguang Pagoda, the sutra is written in gold on blue-green paper and is illustrated with patterns.
5️⃣ Secret-Color Porcelain Lotus Bowl
The porcelain bowl consists of a bowl and a stand, with an even glaze. The outer wall of the bowl, the surface of the stand, and the ring foot are all decorated with double-layered lotus flowers, raised like shallow bas-relief. It presents a jade-like warmth and is considered a standard piece of secret-color porcelain from the Five Dynasties to the Northern Song period.
✅ Courtyard Architecture
The final masterpiece of world-renowned architect I.M. Pei, with a design concept of 'Chinese yet modern, Suzhou yet new', presents Suzhou-style architecture in a completely new way.
Simple geometric lines, the use of black, white, and gray, and the interweaving of light and shadow create the beauty of a dance, outlining an ink-washed Jiangnan... Mr. I.M. Pei called it: 'My little daughter'.
In fact, compared to the artifacts in the museum, this building has also become a collection.
◾ Fragmented Mountain Faux Rocks: Originating from the landscape paintings of Mi Fu in the Suzhou Museum, Taihu rocks are selected and cut, and then torched to represent the depth of ink in ink paintings.
◾ The water courtyard in the central atrium: Starting from the classical Chinese garden, it incorporates elements of pavilions, bridges, platforms, and sand, maintaining the charm of Suzhou-style gardens.
◾ Small scenes in the exhibition halls: The combination of Taihu rocks and pomegranate trees, with a view at every step and the use of light and shadow, many of the museum's finishing touches are small and exquisite, very photogenic.
📍204 Northeast Street, Gusu District, near Beisita Station on Subway Line 4
⏰Opening hours: 9:00-17:00
➡️Suzhou City Tourist Information Center (opposite the museum) offers 3 free stamps
➡️Museum cultural and creative store, any consumption can get 15 stamps
📌Reservation Method
Free reservation through the official WeChat account of Suzhou Museum, entry with ID card. It's very hard to book, be sure to reserve 3-4 days in advance‼️
The instructor teacher is the teacher of the Suzhou Museum, the explanation content is easy to understand, and the story and moral behind many important cultural relics are explained in detail, which can combine the ancient and modern and different dynasties and historical styles. At the same time, I also punched in a lot of photo attractions, which is very suitable for couples or ancient costumes to take pictures. It is very charming 🥳
According to the time at the service desk, there is a special person to explain, too many people have a small headset sound. But the time is relatively short, the main difficulty is to make an appointment, and the last bookmark is not very meaningful.
The tour guide spoke very well, especially the architectural characteristics were very beautiful, and the historical story was very vivid, so that we illiterate people learned a lot, and then bought a museum West Hall explanation
The museum is integrated with modern art and traditional culture. The tour guide is rich in knowledge and has a comprehensive experience. The attitude is very good, very kind, and pays attention to interaction with tourists. In addition, the tour guide was patient. He was originally in a special traffic jam in the whole scenic spot during the holidays. We were more than half an hour late, but he was still waiting for us patiently in the hall. She has a good understanding of the history of the museum and the culture of the world. The explanation is rich. Not only did the exhibits themselves add many additional stories. Bring us a good experience. The main feature of the museum is its design sense, but there are also two national treasures that open our eyes to luxury. There are other expensive products are priceless treasures, the whole exhibition hall from the overall perspective, it seems to be biased to the Western style but look at it carefully, there are many allusions and literati dreams, such as the cold window octagonal pavilion or the palace folding gui. Or make a beautiful landscape of Lushan Waterfall, Lotus Pool and so on. As a closed-door work of famous international designers, you can imagine the importance of the entire pavilion. But remind friends who want to come to this Suzhou museum to see mainly his architecture and design, there are not many exhibits.
Guide Yue is a local in Suzhou. It is very interesting and vivid. I admire his dedication. I don’t feel that I am completing the work. I always keep the enthusiasm. His explanation letter is clear. Subo’s exhibits are not many, but his knowledge reserves are too much. It takes more than two hours to complete. Ctrip's tour guide has maintained a good standard and continues to support
Subo Benguan, I have been to the two times before, and I have been to the horse and flower viewing. This time I brought the children to ask the tour guide to explain. The layman watched the lively, the insider janitorial road, the tour guide aunt took a look and saw many doorways, Subo Benguan design is very beautiful, worthy of the master's work, although there are not many collections, But the treasures of the two town halls are also worth it. They are very exquisite. They combine the collections and interspersed with the humanities and history of Suzhou. After the visit of the exhibition hall, it has been seriously overtime. Thank you very much for the patient and meticulous explanation of the tour guide. Let us get knowledge.
Fortunately, this explanation has Mr. Zhang with two children, Mr. Zhang not only learned a lot, but more importantly, can speak in a language that the children can understand, and the children listen to the whole process. Mr. Zhang also takes pictures very well, loves children, and the scenery that takes us to see is not only beautiful, but also looks for good-looking photos from an angle. Very recommended
Subo directly rushed to the architectural cultural relics design of the integration of the full expression of the explanation of the aunt is very good. Every explanation reflects the love of life, Subo, Suzhou and super will take pictures. Especially thanks to the delay of something, the explanation of the aunt waited for us. Hours, thank you so much. The explanation is very meticulous and professional.