First Time in Suzhou: Honestly? Kinda Underwhelmed.
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Oh my, this trip to Suzhou was really hard to put into words! Here's a share of my true experience:
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Traffic and Road Conditions in the City:
- Our hotel was located in the heart of the city, but we found a lot of places under construction! There were road excavations with enclosures everywhere, and the sidewalks could hardly be used.
- Some shops were undergoing decoration and were occupying the sidewalk. With our baby stroller, there was no way to get through; we had to walk on the street, which seemed quite dangerous!
- Wanted to take a taxi? Forget it, the traffic was so congested that vehicles couldn't even move.
It may be because weather was so good today that everyone came out to play.
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The "Pitfalls" of Attraction Information:
- Some guidelines were far from reliable! Take the Ting Garden (a famous classical garden in Suzhou) for example. When we visited there on the 23rd, its magnolia blossoms had already withered, yet I still saw people post pictures online claiming that they were still blooming that day…
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The "Pain" of Sightseeing with Kids in Suzhou:
- In my opinion, Suzhou might be more suitable for young people to visit.
️ Note for Families with Children:
- Unfriendly environment for baby strollers: Parents bringing infants (especially those under two years old) should note that pushing a stroller around in these gardens was very inconvenient; we were required to check the stroller in at the entrance. As for those attractions with mountains and steps, forget bringing any strollers at all.
- Electric bike rampage: When walking on the streets in Suzhou, extra caution is needed against electric bikes! Many riders disregard traffic lights at intersections and drive recklessly as they please. When accompanied by children, it feels pretty dangerous. Be vigilant at all times while walking, especially at intersections!
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Experiences at Popular attractions
- In Ping Jiang Road, another must-see historical street of Suzhou, we faced dense crowds with everyone busy taking photos, almost rendering the paths impassable.
They say that "There is paradise above the heavens, and Suzhou and Hangzhou below." (An ancient Chinese saying referring to the beauty of Suzhou and Hangzhou like heaven). However, this experience... hmm, it's complex. I hope my experience serves as a precaution for others!
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Gardens often involve climbing rockeries and such, so they're naturally not stroller-friendly. You can get around Suzhou by subway, and most stations have accessible elevators. Commercial photoshoots are a real headache, even for locals, but when tourists come, you can't just tell them not to take pictures. It's fair to ask them not to hog the best photo spots for too long, though. And yes, the reckless e-bike riding is a real issue.
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We visited the gardens thinking they were a special feature, but didn't realize they weren't suitable for children. We also took the subway, which was generally fine, but some transfer stations lacked direct elevators, so we had to carry our stroller up stairs. Personally, I feel it's better suited for young adults or families with children who are at least kindergarten-aged.
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I think many tourists from out of town also ignore traffic lights. They even stop in the middle of the road during a red light, especially at the intersection of Shantang Street and Shangtang Street. Moreover, they don't keep a good hold of their children; the adults are either busy talking or looking at their phones.
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It's truly a complete mess.
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The e-bikes on Pingjiang Road drive like they're trying to run you over...