Absolutely true—avoid venturing out during peak summer heat. Stick to indoor spots midday.

Come on, Hangzhou! This kind of attitude is unacceptable, especially after hosting the Asian Games. This would never fly in other cities.

Shanghai is incredibly competitive. It's fine for a short visit, but living there is another story. As a local, I always dream of escaping Shanghai.

So pretty!

So beautiful!

Hello! The May Day holiday (when China celebrates Labor Day) is just around the corner, and Suzhou has become extremely popular in recent times! I keep getting messages from so many people asking me to write a travel guide for it.

Frankly speaking, if you could avoid holidays at all costs, I honestly wouldn't recommend coming to Suzhou during holidays.

• During holidays, the historic areas of the old city are jam-packed with people, making you feel overwhelmed and less satisfied with your experiences there.
• What makes Suzhou beautiful is its leisurely stroll through the city to take every sight in. It’s more fulfilling when you come during off-peak hours as it allows you to fully appreciate the taste of "Jiangnan" water towns (which refers to the land south of the Yangtze River known for its abundant water, famous gardens, and rich culture).

BUT, I do understand that not everyone listens to my advice (just kidding!), or like myself, having no time due to the busy work schedule, or wanting to bring children out and play, with the holidays being the only opportunity they have.

Therefore, since there's no avoiding the crowds, I will try my best to share useful tips to help you avoid some pitfalls throughout your Suzhou trip.

Transportation Advice: Take Note!

• Don’t drive yourself to Suzhou!
  • Car drivers with non-local license plates face a series of restrictions at certain road segments and hours in the old city.
  • And the traffic jams are something you can't deal with; there are also difficulties with parking locations and expenses!
• I suggest using public transportation, i.e., taking the subway, or renting a shared bicycle. These convenient modes of transport would make the Suzhou tour much simpler than driving a car.

Here's how to structure your itinerary:

• First and Second Days: Citywalks (freely wandering the ancient city center)
  • The tourist attractions in the old city are relatively close together.
  • You don’t need to visit every attraction, and visiting them too often can get dull given their similar styles. A few interesting ones would suffice.
  • There are shops renting out qipaos (a traditional Chinese skirt that accentuates an elegant figure) along the streets next to attractions, and even those offering makeup services. About 100-200 RMB can buy you a set, making photos look stunning.
• Third day: A Tour Around Jinji Lake (in the new district called Suzhou Industrial Park)
  • The style of this new industrial park is very different from the old city. If the old city is classical in appearance, then the new area would be considered modern.
  • Though Jinji Lake is a man-made lake, its plans are outstanding. It is surrounded by a highly modern and bustling urban landscape. The scenery there is also quite appealing.
  • Want to see trendy architecture? You may see the "The Gate Of Orient," nicknamed “Big Pants" (due to its appearance resembling pants) nearby.
  • Want to purchase items or go shopping? This area will lead you to the largest mall in Suzhou - “Suzhou Center.”
  • Want to experience a cozy atmosphere? Li Gong Di (an area near Lijiang Lake) can provide plenty of classy cafes and restaurants.
  • Want to read books and appreciate the cultural ambiance?" The first "Eslite Bookstore" on the Chinese mainland is there.

Food recommendations:

• Traditional snacks such as xiaolongbao (steamed buns filled with soup), shengjianbao (pan-fried buns), and Suzhou-style noodles, alongside classic Suzhou dishes like squirrel fish, yin oil eel slices, etc., have a slightly sweet taste.
  ️ Please be noted: If you don’t enjoy the taste of sweet flavor, these might not appeal to you too much.
• Suzhou’s cuisine is hard to generalize as everyone has a different preference. I would suggest individual exploration using apps like “Dazhongpingjia” (similar to Yelp or TripAdvisor in other countries). (I’ll include a list of local small restaurants not as famous as others soon.)

Spot selection guide:

• Gardens: The Suzhou-style gardens represent classic Chinese gardens, definitely worth the visit.
  • Humble Administrator’s Garden (Zhuozheng Garden): It's large in scale, well-known, but with the most visitors.
  • Lions’ Grove (Shizi Lin): Renown for its artificial mountain made up of Taihu rocks(Chinese ornamental rock); however, it is narrow and frequently crowded.
  • Wangshi Yuan: Compact and charming, especially breathtaking under evening lighting.
  • Couguan Yuan: Featuring traditional gardens by lakeside, cherry blossom paths, and beautiful structures next to the water.
  • Tip: If it's your first time visiting Suzhou, consider visiting Wangshi Yuan or Couguan Yuan, which usually has fewer people and nicer views, therefore allowing one to better appreciate the beauty of Suzhou gardens.
• Which streets should we select among Shantang Street, Pingjiang Road, and Guanqian Street?
  • Shantang Street:
    • This traditional ancient street is suitable for older tourists, or young people who want to bring their parents here. One can enjoy spectacular night views there.
      ️ Please note: Some places sell food overpriced and only of medium quality.
  • Pingjiang Street:
    • The main spots on Pingjiang Street mostly cater to trend-conscious travelers; these include trendy restaurants, creative and artsy shops, and bars. The younger generation tends to prefer this street.
      ️ Please notice: As the main street contains uniform businesses, I recommend exploring smaller alleys around to better appreciate authentic local lifestyle while finding unique cafes or independent bookstores that often stay hidden. Also, you could rent a hand-powered boat to experience water-town charm up close.
  • Guanqian Street:
    • Not recommended: This is an ordinary commercial pedestrian street, without special highlights, and packed with tourists.
      ️ Please notice: There are numerous expensive food stalls selling overpriced and not genuine local food.

#SuzhouTravel #SuzhouTravelGuide #MayDayOutings #FamilyTravelInSuzhou #MayDayOutingWithKids

So many people!

It's even more absurd here. People were 'warning against' a bridge because of too much traffic and demanded it be closed to vehicles, suggesting it should only be for tourists to walk across the Yangtze River Bridge. They even claimed locals started this trend of jaywalking across the bridge deck! We locals would sooner jump off the bridge than jaywalk across it.

What's the general impression of mainland Chinese people to them, I wonder? I always had the feeling that they used to see mainlanders as poor, unsophisticated, and ill-mannered. Surely they can't still think that way now, right?

Taipei, by avoiding excessive demolition, maintains a strong cultural atmosphere.

I'm numb.

It might suddenly pour for a bit and then stop.

If I go to Guangzhou in mid to late July, is it going to rain constantly?

I think Beijing is great. I'm a young woman from a rural area, a college dropout, and I managed to save 35,000 yuan in just six months here. That's pretty amazing for me! I've learned so much, like independence and how to handle pressure.

We all either order takeout or go eat across the street, haha.

I didn't expect my casual musings to resonate with so many people. This post is just to express my personal feelings about Beijing over the last 5 years. Since I'm not a 'Beijing drifter,' perhaps I can't quite relate as closely as some of you fellow netizens. Anyway, as the saying goes: Beijing welcomes you. Also, regarding the subway, my experiences mainly come from Lines 1, 5, 10, and 14. I hope everyone in the comments section can one day carve out their own success and become a true 'Jing Ye' (a proud Beijinger).

Well, first off, the attractions are mostly ancient architecture. What else would you expect to see? Coming to Beijing and not wanting to see ancient architecture is like going to Xi'an and then complaining that Xi'an is full of ancient sites. What's the difference? As for the food, OP, you either like it or you don't; there's no guarantee you'll enjoy it just by visiting. Orange cakes and some sauce? Beef pastries? None of these sound like Beijing specialties to me. Were you scammed, perhaps?

...To be honest, I think Xinfeng Snacks are tastier than general Hangzhou cuisine.

Singing and dancing.

Hello, fellow travelers!

After spending just two days in Hangzhou, I couldn't help but share some interesting observations that caught my attention during my visit.

Firstly, as the saying goes, “above there’s heaven, below there’s Suzhou and Hangzhou,” the reputation of Hangzhou truly reflects its renowned fame!
However, during these two days, I visited the exceedingly popular Lingyin Temple, a very famous Buddhist temple, and the well-known West Lake. To my absolute astonishment (no exaggeration), the crowds were overwhelming!
I was genuinely puzzled: it's still not weekend, why are there practically no limits to how many people gathered here? It struck me that most visitors were young adults—full of energy yet slightly cramped, ha-ha.

Additionally, I strolled through the downtown area malls last night in search of some shopping.
Much to my amazement, the clothing stores were deserted, completely abandoned. On the contrary, restaurants seemed rather lively, with everybody intently enjoying their meals.
That left me pondering; if the nighttime shopping scene was lackluster, then where do locals go for some fun afterward?

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️ Travel Tips / Heads-up:

Crowded popular landmarks:
Even on weekdays, popular spots like Lingyin Temple or West Lake are jam-packed with tourists. Those who dislike crowds may face some psychological pressure, or perhaps wish for a few tranquil shots.

To tackle this issue, one might try visiting these locations early in the day (before the arrival of tour groups); otherwise, embrace the bustling atmosphere with a relaxed mindset (despite the clamor).

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Hopefully, my little discoveries will help you plan your Hangzhou trip better and enjoy your stay more effectively. Moreover, any Hangzhou locals out there are welcome to shed light on what locals enjoy in the evening!

#HeavenOnEarthSuzhouAndHangzhou #JiangnanSceneryInRainLooksLikeAPainting #TheBeautyOfWestLakeScenery #TourismViewCrowddingHead #OnePersonRelaxationSight#EverywhereIsCrowded