Jinji Lake: Modern Suzhou After Dark
Jinji Lake (金鸡湖) is the big lake at the centre of Suzhou Industrial Park, east of the old city, and it is where to see the modern side of Suzhou. The shore is a free public park all the way round. Come at dusk: walk the west shore under the Gate of the Orient as the lights come on, have dinner on the Ligongdi causeway, and, if you like, ride the Suzhou Eye Ferris wheel on the east side. Metro Line 1 to Dongfangzhimen (东方之门) puts you at the west shore. Two to three hours is plenty.
The old city and its gardens are in the Suzhou travel guide.
Why come, when Suzhou is about gardens?
For the contrast. After a day in Ming and Qing gardens, the Industrial Park, developed with Singapore from the 1990s, shows what a Chinese city builds now. The lake covers about 7.2 km² (10,768 mu), one of the largest lakes inside any Chinese city. It is ringed by parks, a theatre complex and towers. In the evening it is where Suzhou families walk, jog and take photos.
If you'd rather spend every hour on old Suzhou, skip it. Nothing here is unique in the way the gardens are.
The landmarks
The Gate of the Orient (东方之门). A 301.8-metre, 66-storey building on the west shore, completed in 2015: two towers joined at the top into an arch. Locals have nicknamed it "the long johns" for its shape. It is most striking at night, when the lights run up the façade and reflect in the water. The best view of it is from across the water, from the south shore near Ligongdi or from the east.
Ligongdi (李公堤). A 1.4 km causeway across the south of the lake, built in 1890 and 1891 by the county magistrate Li Chaoqiong to link the city with the villages to the east. Rebuilt and reopened in 2006, it is now a street of restaurants, bars and cafés, many with lakeside terraces. It is busy and fairly expensive on weekend evenings, so book if you want a table by the water.
Suzhou Eye (苏州之眼). A large Ferris wheel at 99 Youan Street (右岸街) on the east side, which opened in March 2025. 2026 listings show:
| Ticket | Weekday | Weekend and holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, on the day | 120 yuan | 150 yuan |
| Adult, booked a day ahead | 110 yuan | 140 yuan |
| Concession | 60 yuan | 90 yuan |
Children under 1.1 m ride free. Hours are 10:00 to 22:00, but on Mondays it opens only at 13:00, and on the first Monday of each month at 16:00. The nearest station is Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art (苏州当代美术馆) on Line 8, exit 1, about 260 m away. A ride at sunset is the most popular slot, so book ahead for weekends.
The Suzhou Culture and Arts Centre on the east shore, with its curved roof nicknamed the "Suzhou Bird's Nest", has a 1,200-seat theatre and an IMAX cinema. Check its programme if you want a show.
A good evening
- Late afternoon: metro Line 1 to Dongfangzhimen, then walk along the west shore and watch the light change on the water.
- Sunset: walk south to Ligongdi, or take a taxi if your feet are done.
- Dinner on Ligongdi, with the Gate of the Orient lit up across the water.
- Optional: a taxi or the metro round to the Suzhou Eye for a ride after dark.
The whole lake shore is long, and walking all the way round is a big evening. Pick the west and south shores, and save the rest.
Pairing with the rest of Suzhou
It fits best at the end of a day trip to Zhouzhuang, which is on the same side of the city, or after Tiger Hill and Hanshan Temple if you still have energy. Don't let it eat into the morning at the Humble Administrator's Garden or an afternoon on Pingjiang Road. Those are the reason to come to Suzhou.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jinji Lake free?
Yes. The lakeside parks and paths are free and open in the evening. The Suzhou Eye, boats and shows charge separately.
How do I get to Jinji Lake?
Metro Line 1 to Dongfangzhimen for the west shore and the Gate of the Orient. For the Suzhou Eye, take Line 8 to Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art.
How much is the Suzhou Eye Ferris wheel?
In 2026, 120 yuan on weekdays and 150 yuan at weekends for adults, or 10 yuan less if booked a day ahead.
When is the best time to visit Jinji Lake?
From dusk into the evening, when the Gate of the Orient and the towers are lit.