Good grief, look on a map. Suzhou is nowhere near the areas affected by the earthquake!

Safe for kids in what way? Hygiene or kidnapping, or something else? There're plenty of Singaporeans working and living in Suzhou Industrial Park, try to ask on the Overseas Singaporean Portal for more comments.

I doubt Suzhou would be affected too much by the Olympics.

Don't know China well and never been to China except Shenzhen.

Suzhou is pretty safe, even as a 'white guy' I had no problems at any time of day or night.

The people I know who live and work in Suzhou tell me there are no problems there due to the earthquake.

pzboyz.

I'm sorry, but that doesn't seem like an adequate reason to me, for not looking up a map.

Suzhou is perfectly safe. I've lived here for 3 1/2 years with three kids (one is only 11 months) and have had no problems at all. I even once had a friend say "My kids are soooo going to get kidnapped when we move back home!" We are that at ease here and let our kids run wild in the parks.

Suzhou is still a small city (pop: 6 million) by Chinese standards and your children will get lots of attention, especially if they are young. The people are very friendly, unlike what you'll undoubtedly encounter in Shanghai.

As with all of China, the only real safety issue for children is the traffic...there are laws but don't trust that anyone will stop for a red light!

Why are you staying near the expo center? Business? That is in the industrial park and not really near the tourist-y places. Also, getting a cab will be more difficult.

Two of the gardens in Suzhou are on the list of the top 10 gardens in China, so I guarantee there will be more tourists here due to the Olympics although mid-July is a bit early.

Also, a few people here said they felt the earthquake, I did not. The city was not damaged at all.

Considering if I will be going Suzhou for the RoboCup 2008 to be held at the International Expo Centre from 14 to 20th July.

Would appreciate it if I can get advice on the transportation from Shanghai to Suzhou, the accommodation nearby and any other information which might be useful. Thanks.

I would hire a car or take a taxi to get to Suzhou. The taxi will cost about 350RMB (+tolls) and a car should be about the same. Some people may recommend taking the train (your cheapest option), but with two kids and all of your luggage, I don't see this as an easy option.

Any hotel located in the industrial park will be a good choice and within a few minutes to the centre.

Purplerains - can you tell me which the two gardens are that are the most beautiful in China? We have only a short time in Suzhou and I do not want to miss them. Thanks

If you have children, don't miss Lion Grove Garden. Mine have so much fun running through all of the rock sculptures getting lost...like a maze for them. Across the street is Frank's Place, a great place to shop for antiques and souvenirs. They are also very honest. You don't need to haggle over the prices b/c they're pretty reasonable.

I would also recommend going to the Humble Administrators Garden.

I'm sorry, Tazz, I misunderstood you. The Lingering Garden and Humble Administrator's Garden are in the top ten gardens in China and located in Suzhou. I would recommend letting your kids run free in The Lion Grove instead of The Lingering Garden, though.