What's With Everyone Bashing Suzhou Travel Lately?

[Mr. Jody Bednar]

Wow, I visited Suzhou just a few days before the Tomb-Sweeping Day (a traditional Chinese festival usually in early April, somewhat like your Easter holiday, when many people go out to enjoy spring). The city was breathtakingly beautiful! Though the weather had a slight chill, unlike the warmer days to come, there were already plenty of flowers blooming.

• The fact that it's crowded is indeed quite frustrating while sightseeing, and this issue seems hard to avoid no matter where you go.
• Last year during the Labor Day (another major holiday in China around May 1st, which attracts record numbers of visitors), I also went there. Here’s some feedback based on my experience:
  • Tip to Avoid Crowds:
    + Go explore smaller, charming gardens such as Yi Garden, Yi Yuan (Garden of Contentment). These gardens are small but possess their distinct charm.
    * Culture Mini-Tip: Suzhou has earned fame for its classical gardens that embody excellent representatives of ancient private Chinese gardens; many have even been inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
    + Alternatively, go somewhere really large, like Huqiu (Tiger Hill), a large historical scenic area. With plenty of space, it won’t feel overly crowded even with more people present.
• Among these gardens, my personal favorite is definitely Yi Yuan (Garden of Contentment)!
  + Why? Because they actually have climbable rock formations (artificial hills made of rocks, to imitate natural mountains). Unlike most other artificial hills that can only be seen from below in other gardens, these are playable!
• Eating-wise, I highly suggest trying street-side unassuming small shops!
  + Although I didn't get to taste the famous “Mute Pan-Fried Bun” (this is a very popular Shanghai-style snack, characterized by crispy bottoms and juicy pork fillings) which Suzhou is known for, everything else tasted superb!
  + I also tried something called ‘Xuzhou style barbecue’ (quite curious how it could be in Suzhou) and seasonal delicacies “yan du xian” (a dish steamed with fresh meat, salted pork, and bamboo shoots that epitomizes spring cuisine in southern Jiangsu province), as well as tender bamboo shoot stir-fried with pork—each bite was so delicious!
• Just as a side note, the flavors of Suzhou cuisine were absolutely acceptable and enjoyed by my partner, originally from Guangdong (Southern coastal province with generally lighter taste) as well as myself, originally from Northwestern China’s Xi’an (with heavier taste profiles).

#SuzhouGardens #ParadiseAboveAndBelowInSoochow #SpringInJiangnan #SuzhouArchitectures #SuzhouTourStrategies