Suzhou holds little in the way of nightlife , and the city's younger set escape to Shanghai for serious nights out, but there are a slew of decent, if slightly touristy, bars scattered along Shiquan Jie near Wangshi Yuan with hokey names like Dream Garden and Pretty Woman. The best entertainment in town is the nightly opera extravaganza at Wangshi Yuan, featuring eight displays of the most prominent forms of Chinese performance arts from Beijing Opera to folk dancing and storytelling. Shows run from 7.30pm to 10pm and cost ¥60. In addition, occasional performances of the Kun operatic style still take place in the Museum of Opera and Theatre, as well as in their own theatre on Renmin Lu just south of the Pingsi Lu intersection (near the train station; tel 7533268).

There are numerous opportunities to go shopping for silk in Suzhou, although be aware of outrageous prices, especially in the boutiques along Shiquan Jie and Guanyin Jie and the night market on Shi Lu. Bargain hard as these sellers often quote prices up to five times the going rate. The Antique Store (daily 10am-5.30pm) along Renmin Lu and Ganjiang Dong Lu is the place to find old furniture, while paintings and embroidery are on hand in a pavilion near the corner of Renmin Lu and Baita Xi Lu and in the shops along Shiquan Jie.