Humble Administrator's Garden: Seriously, is it *always* this insane with crowds?!

[Ms. Beatrice Abernathy]

Hello everyone! I'd like to share an experience from my recent trip to Suzhou.

• It was in November, and I thought it should be off the peak season, so I headed straight to the Zhuozheng Garden.

  • Let me give you a little background; the Zhuozheng Garden is a particularly famous classical park in Suzhou and is almost a must-visit place.
  • Well, I ended up waiting in line at the entrance for about half an hour, and I nearly missed getting in with that group! If I had missed it, I would have had to wait another thirty minutes.

• ️Warning Alert: High Intensity Situation Ahead:

  • Overcrowded: Finally got inside, but there were loads of people every which way! Wanting to find a quiet spot for a snap? Forget it!
    • So my pictures are all filled with people… Hope I haven't disturbed anyone in those pictures. But then again, this "people among scenery" vibe brings its own unique charm.
  • The Shrinking Garden: Zhuozheng Garden is supposed to be pretty big, but there was just too much congestion, most areas were cordoned off, and the whole garden felt like shrinkage, so crowded.
    • Most of the time you had no choice of path; you're just pushed by the crowd forward, completely missing out on the pleasure of leisurely exploration.
    • I went alone, yet it still wasn't enjoyable. I sought refuge in quieter spots. If you drag along your family or friends, things could only be worse.

• In any case, I walked around, took some quick snaps, and started back. I decided on an ad-hoc lunch at a nearby small shop before heading home.

• Oh yes, there's one more thing I gotta rant about:

  • ️Food Risk Avoidance Guide:
    • There is a kind of mini dumplings (small-sized wontons) sold near the Zhuozheng Garden. Ten pieces are ten bucks, which is unbelievably expensive!
    • It's such a rip-off! I've been holding a grudge over this for a year and a half, still vividly remembering it. Be cautious selecting dining places while you're there!

[Elsa Wyman]

Came here to buy evening tickets at the Zhuozheng Wenya Member Service Center.

[Abraham Kris]

I used to go often the winter before last. It was least crowded near closing time, especially when the guards started ushering people out – the crowds really thinned, making it very comfortable to stroll around. It seems to have gotten much more crowded since last year. However, I sprained my ankle, so I haven't been back since then. I never had to queue for the Humble Administrator's Garden before.

[Mr. Jody Bednar]

I went last weekend. I started queuing at 7 AM and got in with the first wave of visitors. There weren't many people around then.

[Andrea Hand]

It's generally pretty crowded every day. Sometimes it's less crowded right when they open, but that also depends on whether it's a peak flower season.