Suzhou has been a centre of silk production for over a thousand years, and silk remains the thing to buy. Quality varies enormously — the best places to start are the official silk shops around the Silk Museum rather than the tourist-market stalls. Prices are higher but the fabric is real. Suzhou embroidery (Su embroidery) is equally famous: intricate double-sided work that takes months to complete. The Su Embroidery Research Institute on Jingde Road sells authenticated pieces and is worth a visit even if you're not buying.
For everyday shopping and browsing, Guanqian Street runs through the commercial heart of the old town. It mixes chain stores with older specialist shops, including calligraphy and ink-stone dealers. The night market at the back of the Temple of Mystery is good for cheap souvenirs, snacks, and people-watching.
Biluochun tea — a green tea grown in the hills around Suzhou and Taihu Lake — makes an excellent gift. Buy it from a reputable tea shop rather than a tourist kiosk; the price difference reflects real quality differences.