Tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival! A rich lineup of events, including thrilling dragon boat races, wrapping zongzi, and making herbal sachets, awaits. Come to Suzhou for an authentic festive experience.
Dragon Boat Races
Wujiang Dragon Boat Festival Series
Family-friendly dragon boat activities await you for a Suzhou-style Dragon Boat Festival.
Time: June 19
Venues: Huangjiaxi Village黄家溪村 and Dalongdang大龙荡, Pingwang Town, Wujiang District
Jinji Lake Dragon Boat Race
More than just a race! Enjoy intangible cultural heritage (ICH) handicraft workshops, land dragon boat games, water sports events, and cultural performances.
Time: June 20
Venue: Moon Harbor月光码头
Kunshan Loujiang River Dragon Boat Festival
Watch the dragon boat race, browse riverside bazaars on the bank, and enjoy special offers at nearby shopping districts.
Time: June 20
Venue: Loujiang River娄江, Kunshan
Wuzhong Yinshan Lake Dragon Boat Race
A total of 20 teams and 360 athletes from across the city will paddle fiercely on the lake.
Time: June 21
Venue: Yinshan Lake尹山湖岛, Wuzhong District
Intangible Cultural Heritage Handicraft Activities
Art and Fun Programs
Try DIY scented sachet making and immerse yourself in the poetic Jiangnan atmosphere of fragrant zongzi and mugwort.
Time: June 19
Venue: Kunshan Lu Fang Printmaking Art Museum陆放版画艺术馆
Jinji Lake Dragon Boat Bazaar
With over 50 exquisite intangible cultural heritage items and themed zones, the bazaar is an immersive feast of exhibition, performance, hands-on experience, and shopping.
Time: June 19 and 20
Venue: Moon Harbor, Jinji Lake, SIP
Charm of Jiangsu · Wu-region Dragon Boat Festival
The event brings together 54 ICH projects from across the province, with a special market and a poetry gathering. It helps you uncover the depth of Wu-region Duanwu customs and lets you enjoy heritage right at your doorstep.
Time: June 19 to 21
Venues: Former Site of Jiangsu Provincial Judicial Commissioner's Office江苏按察使署旧址, Panmen Scenic Area盘门景区
Themed Study Tour
Fragrance of Zongzi Across the Seas
This program deeply integrates traditional Dragon Boat Festival folk customs with Zheng He's maritime heritage. Through four immersive sessions—ascending the mountain to trace origins, gathering herbs, tasting festive delicacies, and hands-on crafting—children will experience the cultural meaning of health and peace associated with the festival, while honoring Zheng He's spirit of courage, exploration and sailing toward the horizon.
Time: June 19
Venue: Zheng He Park郑和公园
Museum of Wu Dragon Boat Festival Series
From hands-on workshops to curated exhibition tours, the museum offers a rich lineup of activities designed to enhance every visitor's experience.
Time: June 20 and 21
Venue: Museum of Wu吴文化博物馆
Lotus Flower Markets
Gusu Lotus Flower Market
This year, the market breaks free from its original boundaries, extending from Baita Park to the surrounding streets and shopping areas.
Time: Starting June 18
Venue: Baita West Road白塔西路, Gusu District
Tongli Ancient Town Lotus Flower Market
The fair features flash mob performances, cultural and creative souvenirs, and live intangible cultural heritage performances.
Time: June 13 to August 31 (4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., every Saturday and Sunday)
Venue: Tongli Ancient Town Scenic Area同里古镇风景区
Jiyang Lake Lotus Fair
The event features a lotus-themed bazaar, live bands, NPC interactions, and open-air movies for a full evening out.
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., June 18 to July 19
Venue: Jiyang Lake Ecotourism Area暨阳湖生态旅游区, Zhangjiagang
Baodai Fair
Decorated with photo-worthy art installations, this market showcases fresh cut lotus flowers, riverside specialties and seasonal local products.
Time: June 19 to July 12 (weekends and public holidays)
Venues: BIIIG Design Port江南大集设计港, Waterfront Plaza of Museum of Wu, and Taihe Business Plaza太和商务广场
Nanyuan Lotus Flower Market
You can browse through themed stalls selling 2,000 fresh cut lotuses. A variety of interactive activities are also offered on site.
Time: June 20
Venue: Nanyuan Garden太仓南园, Taicang
Garden Strolls
The 19th Jiangnan Lotus Picking Garden Party
Visitors can buy fresh bouquets from flower vendors, interact with "Lotus Fairy" NPCs, catch surprise dance flash mobs, and enjoy live Pingtan performances.
Time: June 19 to August 31
Venue: Moonlight over the Lotus Pond Wetland Park荷塘月色湿地公园
Water Town Dragon Boat Festival
Activities include a blessing ceremony and traditional shows. The ancient canals also host ICH displays like fast boat rowing.
Time: June 19 to 21
Venue: Zhouzhuang Ancient Town周庄古镇风景区, Kunshan
Zongzi Hues in Shaxi, Mugwort Charms in the Water Town
Have vermilion dots painted on your forehead, tie five-colored strings, and craft exclusive Dragon Boat Festival handicrafts to immerse yourself in the cultural charm of the festival.
Time: June 19 to 21
Venue: Shaxi Ancient Town沙溪古镇, Taicang
Elegance in Gusu
The events feature classic opera, folk acrobatics, storytelling, and song-and-dance performances.
Time: June 19 to 21
Venue: "Memories of Suzhou" Themed Street苏州往事, Wuzhong District
Dreamland Adventures
International Carnival
Featuring over 50 international performances, a brand-new splash parade, and dazzling night light shows, this carnival creates a holiday extravaganza for the whole family.
Time: June 19 to 21
Venue: Suzhou Amusement Land Forest World苏州乐园森林世界
WaterPop Wave Music Festival
Over the three-day holiday, dive straight into the ultimate electronic music party at the WaterPop Wave Music Festival.
Time: June 19 to 21
Venue: Suzhou Amusement Land Water World苏州乐园森林水世界
Trendy Summer Festival
Enjoy over 30 spectacular shows and exclusive firework shows at night. Don't miss out on events like the land dragon boat race.
Time: June 19 to 21
Venue: Suzhou Yangcheng Peninsula Theme Park苏州阳澄半岛乐园
Tourist Services
Extended Service Hours
During the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, Suzhou Tourist Information Center's branch centers will extend their operating hours. Dongbei Street Service Center, Shiquan Street Service Center, and Fenghuang Street Service Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., while the Suzhou Railway Station Service Desk will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Time: June 19 to 21
Venues: Dongbei Street Service Center苏州市旅游咨询中心(东北街中心站), Shiquan Street Service Center苏州市旅游咨询中心(十全街中心站), Fenghuang Street Service Center苏州市旅游咨询中心(凤凰街中心站), and Suzhou Railway Station Service Desk苏州市旅游咨询中心(火车站服务台)
Limited Edition "Blossoming Suzhou" Postcards
Each service center of the Suzhou Tourist Information Center will give away 100 complimentary postcards daily.
Time: June 19 to 21
Venues: Dongbei Street Service Center苏州市旅游咨询中心(东北街中心站), Shiquan Street Service Center苏州市旅游咨询中心(十全街中心站), Fenghuang Street Service Center苏州市旅游咨询中心(凤凰街中心站), and Suzhou Railway Station Service Desk苏州市旅游咨询中心(火车站服务台)
Complimentary Bilingual Tours of Heritage Architecture
Free guided tours in both Chinese and English are offered to enrich the tourist information service brand and deepen visitors' understanding of local culture.
Time: June 19 to 21
Venue: Suzhou Tourist Information Center (Shiquan Street Service Center)苏州市旅游咨询中心(十全街中心站)
Friendly Reminder
Suzhou will officially enter the Plum Rains season tonight. The first round of heavy rainfall after the onset of the Plum Rains season is expected from tonight to June 19, with downpours and locally heavy rain possible. Rain will ease off during the daytime on June 20 and 21, followed by another spell of significant rainfall from the evening of June 21 through June 22.
Photo/Weather China
Please carry rain gear when going out, drive slowly, and stay safe on the roads.