Discover 4 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Kunshan (China). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Zhouzhuang, Qiandeng, and Tinglin Park. Also, be sure to include Duke Kunshan University in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Kunshan (Jiangsu).
Table of Contents
Zhouzhuang
Also known as: 周庄镇
Town in China. Zhouzhuang is a town famous for its canals in Jiangsu province, China. It is located within the administrative area of Kunshan, 30 km southeast of the city centre of Suzhou.
Zhouzhuang is a popular tourist destination, classified as a AAAAA scenic area by the China National Tourism Administration. It is one of the most famous water townships in China, noted for its profound cultural background, the well preserved ancient residential houses and the elegant watery views. It has been called the "Venice of the East".[1]
Qiandeng
Also known as: 千灯镇
Town in China. Qiandeng is a town in Kunshan, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. As of 2018, it has 12 residential communities and 16 villages under its administration. It is located 15 kilometers south of Kunshan city and borders Qingpu District, Shanghai on its east side. Qiandeng has an area of 84km2 and a population of about 130,000 people.
Qiandeng has a rich cultural heritage. It was the native place of Gu Jian, the founder of Kunqu. It was also the birthplace of the famous Ming dynasty writer Gu Yanwu. Qiandeng is now a national historical and cultural town in China, as well as a national 4A grade scenic destination.[2]
Tinglin Park
Tinglin Park is located in the north-west of Kunshan, China. Because the Yufeng mountain in this park looks like a saddle, the park was named Ma’anshan Park in 1906. In 1936, it was renamed to Tinglin Park in memory of the 17th-century scholar Gu Yanwu, also known as Gu Tinglin. It covers an area of more than 850 acres.[3]
Address: No.1 Ma'anshan Road, 215300 Kunshan
Duke Kunshan University
Also known as: 昆山杜克大学
University in Suzhou, China. Duke Kunshan University is a Chinese-American partnership of Duke University and Wuhan University to create a liberal arts and research university offering academic programs for students from China and throughout the world. DKU received approval from the Chinese Ministry of Education in 2013 and its curricula are also approved by the Jiangsu Provincial Education Bureau.
Students have the opportunity to study at both the DKU campus in Kunshan, China and at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Undergraduate students will have the opportunity to spend a summer and a semester on the Duke University campus in Durham, North Carolina. Students are awarded degrees from both Duke University and Duke Kunshan University upon graduation and become members of both institutions’ alumni organizations. In 2018, Duke Kunshan University welcomed their first inaugural undergraduate class.
Both Duke University and Wuhan University have been recognized in the top ten in respective national rankings. The universities collaborate on academic programs and administration for Duke Kunshan University, while the city of Kunshan agreed to lease land for the DKU campus with no cost for 10 years and funded the construction of the US$200 million campus buildings.[4]
Address: No. 8 Duke Avenue, Kunshan