Jinji Lake is situated in Suzhou Industrial Park, showcasing a modern side of Suzhou with its towering skyscrapers, in contrast to the ancient charm of the old town.
Slightly larger than Hangzhou’s West Lake, Jinji Lake attracts numerous visitors daily for leisurely strolls, shopping, and dining. Couples also favor this location for their wedding photos.
The scenic area has four entrances, making it an open park accessible from any point. Most tourists enter through the West Entrance, which is conveniently located near a metro station, offering views of the new landmark of Suzhou, the Oriental Gate skyscraper, colloquially known as the ‘Big Pants’.
Right outside the metro exit, there is a bicycle rental point, perfect for those who wish to cycle around the lake. Entering from the West Entrance leads to Lakefront New World, the starting point of the Lakeside Boulevard.
Here, you can find a pleasant wooden corridor that is water-friendly, with numerous lifelike artistic bronze statues lining the avenue. On sunny days, many people can be seen running or cycling here. The lakefront lawns are ideal for picnicking, barbecues, and kite flying.
After enjoying the daytime attractions, the night view of Jinji Lake is a must-see. You can pay for a night cruise departing from the Moonlight Pier on the east side of the lake or the West Lake Pavilion Pier on the west side, which lasts about 40 minutes and passes by some of the daytime attractions. Additionally, the Jinji Lake Bridge at night is not to be missed, with a colorful digital waterfall created using digital lights and other high-tech means cascading down from the bridge, displaying different patterns and text as it ‘flows,’ becoming a beautiful part of Jinji Lake’s night scenery. Accommodations around Jinji Lake include luxurious and comfortable high-end hotels such as the Suzhou Zhongyin Crowne Plaza Hotel, located on Jinji Lake itself, where you can enjoy the lake views from your hotel room. The hotel is conveniently located at Exit 4 of the Oriental Gate Station on Metro Line 1, at the intersection with Modern Avenue. There are also cozy and affordable budget hotels like Jin Jiang Inn and Orange Hotel. For dining and shopping, there are many lakeside restaurants, cafes, and bars built along the lake at Lakefront New World and Moonlight Pier, where you can find popular establishments such as Starbucks, Cold Stone, Da Yu Teppanyaki, and Shanghai Home. If you take the Metro Line 1 directly to Times Square Station, you can also visit the Times Square and the adjacent Jiuguang Department Store, which not only has restaurants and shops but also has ToysRUs toy store and Cartoony Paradise, which are popular with children. Additionally, the Yuanrong Sky Curtain, about 500 meters long, 32 meters wide, and 21 meters above the ground, spans the entire Yuanrong Times Square. Its length exceeds that of the Las Vegas Sky Curtain in the United States. It is turned on at set times every night, allowing you to see large lotus leaves blooming overhead and colorful fish swimming above your head. Opening hours are all year round, open all day. For preferential policies on amusement projects within the scenic area, please call 0512-62659265 for details.
