Ripped Off in Suzhou? Do Your Homework, People! đ
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Listen up, sisters (and brothers too!), if you're planning a trip to Suzhou, doing your research right is absolutely necessary! Otherwise, what's supposed to be an enjoyable journey could end up messing up your mood altogether!
First things first: Buying Tickets
Donât get your tickets from scalpers! You gotta play it safe by using official mobile apps or websites â those so-called âinternal ticketsâ and âquick access ticketsâ are most likely traps that will fleece you. Stick to the legit channels when buying tickets; your mind will feel at ease.
Getting Smart with Your Plan
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Both ZhĆuzhĂšng YuĂĄn (ZhuĆzhĂšng Garden - a highly acclaimed classical Chinese garden) and ShÄ«zi LĂn (Lionâs Grove - another well-known garden with peculiar rock formations) are within walking distance, about ten minutes apart. Youâll manage your time like a pro if you explore both in the morning.
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Truth be told, after touring several gardens in Suzhou, they can feel pretty much alike (we Chinese say this kind of sameness is '性ćć°ćŒ', meaning mostly similar but slightly different). Just pick two famous ones and take them in, no need to spread yourself thin.
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For snapshot enthusiasts, switch into a qĂpĂĄo (style-giving traditional Chinese dress) or HĂ n fĂș (elegant Han Chinese clothing), and youâll really capture the essence of those gardens. It feels absolutely amazing!
Knowing the Tricks of Popular Spots
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Alert! Donât step in unawares at ZhuĆzhĂšng YuĂĄn, as itâs always crowded no matter what time you arrive! Renting an electronic guide can come in handy; it automatically senses where you are and provides descriptions accordingly.
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PĂngjiÄng LĂč (Pingjiang Street â an ancient street) tends to have tremendous crowds during festivals, a little commercialized too. The original post suggests going after 10 AM; maybe their point is to avoid the first peak hour? But generally, isnât it earlier crowds that are fewer? Readers must make this judgment call themselves!
Getting Smart with Transport
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Warning! Be cautious around the hĆ«ĂĄngbÄochÄ (rickshaw)! Although it looks like it has that old-world charm, beware of the tricks.
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Some rickshaw drivers would lead you to their cooperative one-day sightseeing tour group, and prices are super steep. Be wary especially near major scenic spots. Donât get swindled by those tricks!
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Want to leisurely explore the edges of JÄ«njÄ« HĂș (Jinji Lake - a modern lake in the new area of Suzhou)? Renting a bike is just so pleasing!
Mind Your Money When It Comes to Eating
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Heads up! You might find the costs of food and drink rather heavy at popular sites or commercial streets.
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For authentic local flavors, choose common eateries or food stalls frequented by locals. Recommended delicious street food places: FĂšnghuĂĄng JiÄ (Phoenix Street), ShĂquĂĄn JiÄ (Ten Complete Street). A lot of these have even featured in the famous documentary âA Bite of Chinaâ!
Keep Your Eyes Open While Buying Souvenirs
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Tread carefully with flower vendors! Be better not to buy, as they often use this as a tactic to beg for money or hassle people around.
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Suzhou has excellent silk products (sÄ«chĂłu). If youâre planning to purchase some real silk to gift others:
Recommendation: Buy from the nearby old stores or specialty stores in GuĂ nqiĂĄn JiÄ (Guanqian Districtâthe most renowned shopping district).Do âcompare three shops before you decideâ (donât buy it as cheap as possible and end getting lesser quality); do your research!
Knowing Local Customs Helps Too
- With any region comes its own cultural practices and habits. A little bit of understanding before your trip can prevent a lot of unnecessary confusion.
I personally think some great yet affordable experiences are:
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PĂngjiÄng LĂč (Pingjiang Street): One of Suzhou's best-preserved old quarters where many historical buildings and traditional gardens remain in good view.
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ShÄntĂĄng JiÄ (Shantang Street): This place is perfect for capturing âæ±ćæ°ŽäčĄâ(Water Towns South of Yangtze River)scenery. The evening scene here is particularly lovely and enjoying dinner along the river, taking night walks is extremely pleasurable.
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SĆ«zhĆu BĂłwĂčguÇn (Suzhou Museum): The famous architect I.M Peiâs masterpiece building itself, along with many treasures inside it.
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JÄ«njÄ« HĂș: At Suzhou Industrial Park area, a modern-city lake offering beautiful views of the water and new city architecture.
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ZhĆuzhuÄng GÇzhĂšn (Zhouzhuang Ancient Town): Referred to as Chinaâs âfirst water townâ, feels more calm and elegant than WĆ«zhĂšn (another famous ancient water town). A typical experience of typical Jiangnan life.
Alright, family members, any bitter lessons or handy tips to share while traveling in Suzhou? Come and share them here!
#TravelOnAWhim #SuzhouPitfallPreventions #RealTouristGuideToSuzhou
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Hey everyone planning a trip to Suzhou, feel free to check out the guide I shared on my homepage!
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I didn't get a good impression of Suzhou; I won't be coming back.
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Same here! From the moment I landed, it kept surprising me. I've traveled to so many cities, but Suzhou completely shocked me.
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I got scammed as soon as I landed in Suzhou.
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Got ripped off by an unscrupulous driver?
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Oh, sis.
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Is it crowded on weekends now?
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I wouldn't recommend going on weekends; it gets really crowded.
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ïž Watch out! Ride-hailing services might take you the long way too! Everyone, make sure to spot it early and file a complaint!!!! -
The day before yesterday, we took a ride-hailing car and chatted with the driver the whole way. We found out some roads were restricted, and cars couldn't enter. After we told him where we wanted to go, he took a detour to get us there; otherwise, we'd have had a long walk. However, if your driver took the long way, they definitely should have communicated that.
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Mung bean soup is 15 RMB here, but you can get it for 10 RMB outside. However, there's a place inside called 'Xie Dong Jia' where the staff are super friendly and the food is great.
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Which place is that?
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Excuse me, does the Humble Administrator's Garden have luggage storage? I'm planning to visit in a couple of days.
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You could look for nearby lockers in advance. Some local shops might also offer luggage storage, and the fees are generally acceptable.
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There's a great city walk route in Suzhou from Tiger Hill to Shantang Street â it's scenic and not too crowded.
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I'm planning to walk the route from Tiger Hill to Shantang tomorrow. I saw someone mention recently that there might be construction along the way â is that still ongoing? Does it block the path? Roughly how long does the entire walk take? And is it best to use Gaode Maps (AMap) for navigation? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
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The crab roe lion's head noodles were 78 RMB, and with a dessert, it came to 96 RMB in total.
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My crab roe noodles today cost 98.