One of the premier attractions in Suzhou is its well-known Silk Museum which provides a captivating look into the ancient art of silk production; read on to find out more.
Planning Your Visit
This attraction is in the old town Gusu District near the Beisi Pagoda, within easy reach of centrally located hotels like Pan Pacific Suzhou. Apart from taking a taxi, you can also access the site via public buses (# 1, 5, 8, 38, 54, 101, 102) to the nearby Pingmen Station. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00am to 5:00pm; it’s closed on Mondays except when it’s a national holiday.
A Rich History
Before exploring the museum and enjoying one of the most captivating things to do in Suzhou, it helps to understand a bit about the local history of silk. This destination has been the centre of silk production in China with the first silk pieces being produced here over 2,000 years ago! It became the focal point for silk products in the Tang and Song Dynasties, while most of the silk fabrics used for royalty in the Ming and Qing Dynasties were sourced from Suzhou as well.
What to Expect
The first museum in China specialising in silk, this site has been designed in white to reflect silk’s original colour. It features six exhibition halls that take visitors on an enriching journey as they get to learn about the entire process of producing silk; one will find out more about silkworm breeding, see silk royal garments and cultural relics, view the silk weaving process and more.
Museum Highlights
The Gallery of Ancient Silk is a great section to learn about Chinese silk history spanning thousands of years with its origins in the Neolithic Age. You can also see silk garments from the various dynasties, get a deeper knowledge of silkworms at the Sericulture Room and view silk tapestry at the Gallery of Intangible Cultural Heritage; you can also view skilled silk weavers at work at the Weaving & Dyeing Room.
