May Day Suzhou: Human Jenga?! 😱 Grab This Anti-Trap Guide ASAP‼️
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This guide from the blogger is great for avoiding a lot of hassle! As a Suzhou local, here are a few tips: ① Consider renting an electric scooter for getting around – it's incredibly convenient. Just make sure to wear a helmet and prioritize safety. Note that shared bikes can't be parked around the Pingjiang Road area, and the subway stations are quite a distance away. ② If you're craving crab roe noodles (蟹黄面), Xie Huang Lao is the top pick; they have their own farms in Yangcheng Lake and offer various sweet, chewy desserts (like 'tong sui' or 'nuo ji ji' items) to balance the richness. For authentic Suzhou cuisine, head to Yanyu Zhenhe or Zhenhe Restaurant; you'll find them popular with local seniors. For pan-fried pork buns (shengjian), Yaba Shengjian or Xin Zhenyuan are both excellent choices. ③ For accommodation, consider areas around Lindun Road, Pingjiang Road, or Baita Road. During the day, explore Pingjiang Road, the Humble Administrator's Garden, and the Lion Grove Garden – these attractions are conveniently clustered and offer great photo opportunities. In the evening, Shantang Street is stunning when illuminated. If time permits, visit Fengmen Market to soak in the authentic, bustling local atmosphere of Suzhou!
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Check out Shuangta Market. It's a uniquely renovated traditional market with lots of food stalls and a creative/cultural bazaar. I recommend the Taihu Huadiao Drunken Shrimp, Laokeman Egg Pancakes, and the taro paste 'nuo ji ji' (a chewy, glutinous treat).
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In the morning, you can visit Xiyuan Temple to offer prayers. It's a temple very popular among Suzhou locals, and it's said that prayers made there are quite efficacious. Plus, the temple is home to many cats, so you can enjoy some cat-petting time. Additionally, Xiyuan Temple is renowned for its vegetarian noodles and buns (though they are a bit on the sweeter side, typical of Suzhou-style sweet noodles).
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Pan Yulin's sweet porridge is a must-try; the red bean with mini rice balls is exceptionally tasty.
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Solid advice!
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Wow, still awake?
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The comments section mostly mentions hole-in-the-wall snack spots in the Gusu District. For proper restaurants, it's better to search for highly-rated ones on platforms like Dianping (though be aware that many reviews might be inflated). Usually, you won't go far wrong with those. Feel free to add more suggestions in the comments! Also, I find that many 'nongjiale' (farm-to-table style eateries) in areas like Shushan, Dongshan, Xishan, and around Taihu Lake are delicious. I'm working on compiling a separate guide for those.
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Let's talk more about Shiquan Street. It's now largely dominated by trendy, 'influencer-popular' restaurants, making it a good spot for younger crowds to explore. A well-known classic spot there is the 'Xiangxin Jizhua' (Xiangxin Chicken Feet) snack shop. Their chicken feet are very tender and glutinous, and their red bean sweet dumplings (chìdòu yuánxiāo) are also nice, though on the sweeter side.
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Here I am, browsing Suzhou guides again!
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This guide is unbeatable! I'm following your recommendations to visit these spots.