I took a Caocao Chuxing (another ride-hailing service), and the driver went the wrong way and complained the entire time. My friend and I were too scared to say anything.

Exactly, it's just pure foolishness, thinking all of Shanghai is like this.

Every day since I returned home from Shanghai, I've regretted it.

I'm here!

I'm not saying Shanghai isn't good for shopping, but it's not as good as it used to be. There aren't as many brand stores as before. Also, I'm not very familiar with Shanghai, so I only explored the area around Meilongzhen where I was working. I did take a taxi to another area, though.

Alright, friends, let me tell you about this wonderful destination called Suzhou! In a nutshell, Suzhou is like having two different faces:

• The first one is the old city (Gusu District), with its charming little bridges, running water, and white-walled black-roofed houses that exude the atmosphere of a classic Jiangnan water town.
• The other face is the industrial park, brimming with towering buildings and a very modern vibe.

For those visiting Suzhou for the first time, checking out these two areas would be quite sufficient!

• Old City (Gusu District):

  • You might often hear people recommending well-known attractions such as the Suzhou Museum, Pingjiang Road, Humble Administrator's Garden, and Shantang Street, but honestly, I do not particularly recommend them. They are already overcrowded and, in turn, can lead to a loss of novelty.
  • Here is my personal recommendation for an exceptional route, offering a unique taste of old Suzhou:
    • Start your journey from Wuxia Avenue, proceed to Wuqiao Bridge Lane and then Shiquan Street; afterward, visit Canglang Pavilion before finishing at the Confucius Temple Museum.
    • Shiquan Street: While the official authorities are now beginning to place more emphasis on developing this area, there still remain plenty of interesting little shops with distinctive designs. It's bustling especially lively during the evenings – a hub for Suzhou's "clear bars" (referring to small cozy bars where you sip drinks and enjoy calm conversations). Take in the picturesque view of the river as you sip a martini; it is highly recommended.
    • ️ Important Note: There are many western-style cafes (bistros) along the street that look appealing yet are difficult to ensure quality.
    • Confucius Temple Museum: This free admission museum is positioned within a traditional architectural ensemble resembling Beijing's Forbidden City. You'll feel right at home with numerous historical stone artifacts, a haven for perfect photography moments as if you’re immersed in ancient times. Plus, the number of visitors here is relatively smaller.
  • Along the way, here are some highly recommended local eateries and drinks:
    • Xiao Jiangguotie (Pan-fried Dumplings)
    • Tongdixing Noodle House (Suzhou-style noodles)
    • Laosuzhou Tea Restaurant (traditional local cuisine)
    • Wuxia Restaurant (local dishes)
    • Jinshuidian Cake House (popular among locals for traditional pastries)
    • Lê Tree (Western food, pleasant ambiance)
    • Green Dog Cafe (picturesque background, average taste)
    • Fisher (My own treasure café!)
    • Bootlegger (During the day, serves coffee; transforms into a bar at night—cozy and has a friendly dog, too!)
    • Nod (Located along Shiquan Street, unornamented appearance, yet outstanding wines)
    • Wuqiao Bridge lane houses plenty of delightful little shops waiting for you to explore!

• Industrial Park (New Zone):

  • Located around the center of Jinji Lake, the region can be divided into Eastern Jinjilake and Western Jinjilake.
  • Want to check out the notorious "Big Trousers" skyscraper, also known as the Gate of the Orient? Look for it in Eastern Jinji, but you'll need to head to the shores of Western Jinji to snap excellent photos of it.
    • If you desire to spend delightful moments savoring coffee while taking in the sights of the "Big Trousers", consider visiting LadyMay, a café located in Western Jinji with perfect positioning.
  • Want a tranquil place to enjoy some solitude? Chuntiao Lake Plaza might serve as the perfect tranquil spot.
    • This hidden gem sees fewer visitors and boasts spectacular landscapes, especially during golden hours for observing the sunset over Jinchilake, evoking a sense of serenity.
  • In fact, strolling along the lakeside trail from Eastern Jinji to Western Jinjilake and back makes for a pleasant experience as a leisurely activity.
  • Activities in Industrial Park (New Zone):
    • Eastern Jinji is primarily centered around visiting the Gate of the Orient ("Big Trousers").
    • Western Jinji features the popular Chain Books.
      • Chain Books stands out with its spectacular staircase for photo opportunities! Moreover, this location currently marks the last Chained bookstore store in mainland China, featuring an expansive setting.

By all means, dive into the myriad of experiences that both Old Suzhou and New Suzhou have in store for you!

It's all about comfort and freedom.

I almost feel like I took advantage of my ride-hail driver. I stubbornly hailed a ride right from a tourist spot in Suzhou. It took him 18 minutes just to reach me. Then, with traffic, the ride to my destination took an hour. I checked my phone, and the fare was only a little over 17 RMB. When I got out, the driver even cheerfully said, 'Bye bye, enjoy your visit!' I felt a bit embarrassed by how cheap it was.

When I visited Taiwan in the past, I stayed in a hotel with my relatives. They would make their beds perfectly neat every morning. Also, you're not allowed to have drinks on the subway there.

That's right.

The timing felt fine to me. You can take selfies or just ask a passerby. (If you're not happy with the shot, just find another person – there are plenty around!)

Hahaha

Wow, the expectations of Shenzhen's local friends for the Window of the World seem to be a bit too high? Calling it "trash"? Not recommended? I really don't quite understand.

• Before planning my trip to Shenzhen, many people criticized the Window of the World and suggested not going there.
  • What is the Window of the World? In simple terms, it's a theme park featuring miniature reproductions of world-famous landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Egyptian pyramids. You can "travel around the world" in just one day.

However, after my visit, I found it to be quite enjoyable!

• Compared to other scenic spots in Shenzhen, like Talent Park, Shenzhen Bay Park, or Sea World, which are more popular for leisurely walks, these places are just beautiful city parks.
• The Window of the World stands apart from them; it is a proper amusement park! It features both scenic views and recreational facilities. Similar to Shanghai Disneyland, right? Perhaps Disneyland is bigger? But tickets to the Window of the World are much cheaper!

Here are some tips for saving money and making your visit hassle-free (pay attention now!):

• Afraid of the heat? Buy an evening admission ticket!

  • Recently, it has been very hot during the day, so I opted for the evening admission. The entrance time is at 5:50pm.
  • There will still be enough daylight when you enter, so don't waste any time snapping photos of those miniature landscapes!

• Go on Saturday to enjoy the parks longer!

  • If you happen to go on Saturday, some attractions stay open until 8 pm or even 8:30 pm.

• Use 'Mini Programs' for navigation!

  • There’s a handy map mini-program embedded in WeChat, which makes navigating the park convenient.

There were still plenty of activities available for me to experience this time, like visiting the “Sky Garden” (a project offering views over part of the park) and riding the merry-go-round. Next time, if we have the opportunity, I must bring the kids along to thoroughly experience all the attractions!

#VisitWindowoftheWorld #PerfectVacationNeedsAmusementPark

I guess not many people know that term anymore.

I agree! It's all about your perspective ('境由心造' - your surroundings are a creation of your mind). I love the climate here, the Cantonese songs, and as someone from the Northwest who doesn't eat spicy food, I absolutely adore the local cuisine. Take it slow, savor the details, and every scene is worth photographing.

A Badaling Great Wall tour for just over 100 yuan that includes entrance tickets and lunch? The costs barely cover it, so you're almost guaranteed to get ripped off. You're much better off taking the public bus yourself or chartering a car!

Let's just say I've got plenty of experience! Hope this helps everyone avoid some detours!!!

I had the chance to visit back in 2012, and their vegetarian noodles were amazing. That's actually when I started to love bamboo shoots.

Whenever I see comments like this, I can't help but wonder about the kind of privileged background these people must have, or what kind of amazing places they live in, to be so critical of everything they see.

Great! You all should just stick to traveling within China. That way, there'll be fewer Chinese tourists when I visit Japan.