Today is the first day of the May Day holiday. In case you have not decided where to go, here’s a guide to the citywide events during the holiday.
Master of the Nets Garden
The 2nd Peony Exhibition of the Master of the Nets Garden
Various bonsai, Chinese-style ikebana works and flower arrangement works featuring tree peonies and Chinese herbaceous peonies are on display.
Time: April 29 to May 3
Tickets: 40 yuan in daytime; 100 yuan for nighttime performances
Taihu Lake Wetland Park
Yuanjing Flower Sea May Day activities
Actresses wearing hanfu (traditional dress of the Han Chinese people) will give performances and play pipa (four-stringed Chinese lute) on a flower boat. You can also pitch camp and have a picnic, or watch the daily life of the cute pandas.
Time: April 29 to May 3
Tickets: 60 yuan
Tongli Ancient Town
“Colorful Tongli” themed activities
1. Operas performed on the ancient stageTime: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., April 29 to 30, May 2 to 3Venue: Ancient Stage, Tuisi Square
2. Tongli xuanjuan (storytelling and ballad singing)Time: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., May 1Venue: Ancient Stage, Tuisi Square
3. Original musicalTime: 9:30 a.m. to 9:50 a.m., 1:30 p.m. to 1:50 p.m., April 29 to May 3Venue: Tuisi Square
4. CIIE FairA wide selection of goods, which were displayed at the China International Import Expo before, are available. There is also an experience hall where you can come across different cultures.
Time: April 29 to May 3
Tickets: All-in-one ticket of Tongli Ancient Town: 100 yuan; nighttime performances at the Retreat & Reflection Garden: 50 yuan
Lili Ancient Town
May Day activities
The Wu Guqin School will play 11 pieces of music featuring guqin (seven-stringed plucked instrument). Traditional operas and pingtan will also be performed to present the audience a cultural feast.
Time: April 29 to May 1
Tickets: The ancient town is fenceless, but you still need to buy a 60-yuan ticket to enter such spots as Duanben Garden, Zhou’s Ancestral Hall, Dongsheng Hall, Tinware Museum, and Exhibition Center.
Mudu Ancient Town
2023 “Imperial Tour” May Day activities
1. Recreation of Imperial TourEmperor Qianlong’s six visits to Jiangnan will be recreated.
2. Experience activitiesPaper kite and palace fan making: 2F, Hongyin Moutain VillaStamp: You can appreciate the designs of seals used by Emperor Qianlong at Yan’s Garden. Besides, you can get special stamps in the scenic area.
Time: April 29 to May 3
Tickets: The ancient town is fenceless, but you still need to buy a 78-yuan ticket to enter such spots as Yan’s Garden, Hongyin Moutain Villa, and Gusong Garden.
HB World
Starlight Party
Two parades featuring the 12 flower goddesses will be staged every day during the holiday. Also, a big parade will be held at 8 p.m. at Ningbi Square. There will also be traditional Chinese weddings and traditional archery performances.
Time: April 29 to May 3
Tickets: Regular ticket: 228 yuan; student ticket: 168 yuan; ticket for children, elderly people and disabled people: 108 yuan; nighttime ticket: 138 yuan (discounted nighttime tickets priced at 99 yuan are available). The price and type of tickets are subject to the official ticketing platform.
Suzhou Amusement Land Forest World
May Day activities
A firework show will be staged every night in the holiday. Ten-plus activities including a music festival, a light show and float parades, as well as musicals will be hosted.
Time: April 28 to May 3
Tickets: Regular ticket: 230 yuan; ticket for children and elderly people: 130 yuan; nighttime double ticket: 99 yuan (valid through May 3, entering the park after 3:30 p.m.); afternoon double ticket: 159 yuan (valid through May 3, entering the park after 1:00 p.m.) The price and type of tickets are subject to the official Douyin and WeChat accounts of Suzhou Amusement Land.
Wangshan Mountain
Countryside Fair
This is a fair set up in the forest, with numerous stalls selling handcrafts featuring intangible cultural heritage, jewelry, food and many other things.
Time: April 29 to May 3
Tickets: Free
Harmony Times Square
Flower Baby Fair
The fair is a collaboration between Harmony Times Square and indie illustrator Shu Jin, who is famous for the Flower Baby. You can take pictures with a huge pink rabbit and try various delicacies.
Time: 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., April 29 to May 3
Tickets: Free
Culture & Expo Plaza
Dongye Vintage Fair
Here you can taste snacks, and find cultural and creative handicrafts, flowers, decorations, books, toys, and other things you can use in your daily life.
Time: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., April 29 to May 2
Tickets: Free