Honestly, I Just Don't Get the Suzhou Haters.
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As a local, I haven't used my garden pass in over a year. There are just way too many tourists, and the crowds definitely spoil the experience. Tiger Hill started offering night tours on the 13th; although the accessible areas are limited, there are genuinely so few people! In that moment, with the interplay of light and shadow, I couldn't resist taking a picture... For those visiting Suzhou, yes, the famous gardens are a big draw. It's fine to visit one – you've come all this way, after all. But I highly recommend also scheduling a less crowded, off-the-beaten-path garden to truly slow down and enjoy.
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Exactly! And just the other day, I spent over two hours at the Couple's Retreat Garden (Ou Yuan) and only saw about four or five individuals and a single tour group. It's really just a few specific spots that are totally packed. Thinking a bit differently changes everything.
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The Master of the Nets Garden is sooo beautiful!
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OMG, sweetie, you're so good at taking photos!
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And don't get me started on people coming to Suzhou for crab roe noodles and those hairpin photos. The hairpin trend isn't from Suzhou! It's NOT from Suzhou! It's NOT from Suzhou!
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Exactly, those hairpins, especially the plastic ones, and the Miao ethnic minority costumes – they have absolutely zero connection to Suzhou!
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My response is: Suzhou is wonderful, but now is just not the time to go. It's hot, incredibly crowded, and you can't take decent photos. It's just miserable.
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Oh honey, you absolutely must come in autumn! It's cool and comfortable, with ginkgo leaves everywhere on the ground. It's unbelievably beautiful.
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Honestly, a city like Suzhou, famous for its gardens and southern water town atmosphere, is best enjoyed around April when it's less crowded, perfect for leisurely strolls. Following a tour group can be really dull. I just returned from Suzhou a couple of days ago, and aside from the current heat and the lack of nightlife, I was quite happy. Still, the absence of nightlife was genuinely shocking for an out-of-towner like me.
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Here are a few photos I took, making sure to avoid the crowds.
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Lots of fun, loved it! It was raining when I went, which really set a great mood.
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Never again! After visiting Suzhou once during the plum rain season, I've decided I'm only going if it's not raining.
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Let me dig up a photo. Suzhou is stunning, okay! This boat looks like it's gliding on a sheet of emerald glass.
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Absolutely gorgeous! The clear water is a testament to the Suzhou government's 'cash abilities,' hahaha!
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So lovely! Honey, where were these photos taken? Which spots are they?
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Thanks for the love, sweetie! In order, they are: Lingering Garden, Couple's Retreat Garden, Fei She (cafe), Couple's Retreat Garden again, Pingjiang Road, and the last three are from Tiger Hill.
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It's stunning! I've visited once and already want to go back countless times. I'm currently writing a travel blog about Suzhou, hoping more international visitors can experience its charm too, hahaha!
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That's fantastic! You see a lot of international visitors in Suzhou's gardens these days. With your promotion, its influence will definitely grow even more!
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I absolutely love visiting Suzhou. I've struggled with depression for many years, and I find solace in looking at the old houses there. My most profound memory is from a time I felt I couldn't go on. I was wandering alone late at night through the old streets and alleys, sensing the deep passage of time emanating from the ancient buildings. In a flash, I had an epiphany: I was merely a speck of dust in the vast river of time. That realization helped me let go of so many obsessions. I am truly grateful to Suzhou for that.
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Sweetie, I've had a very similar experience. Suzhou healed some deep wounds for me too. I hope things continue to look up for all of us.