Suzhou: An Old Artsy Soul's Guide (Pt. 4) – How NOT to Get Zapped! (Advance Warning)
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They won't bother reading what you've written. They're only interested in those influencer-hyped 'check-in' spots and all sorts of 'specialty' snacks that aren't even local.
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Don't be too disheartened. Helping even one person makes a difference.
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Hi there! I'm planning a trip for the National Day holiday and will be in Suzhou for about two days. Could you recommend some gardens or attractions? I'm hoping for places that are less crowded for a better experience – just seeing a nice garden would be great.
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If you can get up early, head to Tiger Hill or Lingering Garden first thing. At other times, Tianping Mountain or Panmen Gate are good options as they're more spacious and offer a better experience. I also recommend the walkway along the city moat; you can check out my suggested route. During the National Day holiday, it's impossible to find uncrowded gardens, so your best bet is to visit during off-peak hours. After 4 PM, you could try Canglang Pavilion or Yipu Garden; there are plenty of dining options nearby for dinner. Also, definitely don't even think about going to Pingjiang Road or Shantang Street.
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Their only goal is to wear those huge floral headdresses, snap photos on Pingjiang Road, edit them so heavily their own mothers wouldn't recognize them, and then post to their social media for a massive ego boost. Afterwards, they'll spend the whole journey home grumbling and complaining about all the tourist traps they supposedly 'avoided'...
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Those big floral headdresses are truly hideous. Anyone with even a shred of aesthetic sense wouldn't choose them.
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Is a one-day tour covering the Humble Administrator's Garden, Pingjiang Road, Lingering Garden, and Shantang Street feasible?
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They're not in the same area, and they're all extremely popular spots, so expect huge crowds. It's doable in a day, but it'll be very rushed and not a great experience.
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I'd like to listen to some Suzhou Pingtan. Any recommendations?
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I'm from northern China and have never really understood Pingtan, sorry about that.
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I was wondering, if it rains, do you have any recommended routes? Specifically, places where one can listen to the rain in a garden? Would Yipu Garden, Canglang Pavilion, or the Master of the Nets Garden be suitable?
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All three are good choices, as they all have pleasant teahouses. Sitting in a teahouse listening to the rain on a rainy day is a wonderful experience. The teahouse at the Master of the Nets Garden isn't by the water. Yipu Garden's teahouse is near water, but its windows can't be opened. So, for now, the teahouse at Canglang Pavilion has a slight edge.
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May I also ask, is it suitable to rent an electric scooter for a one-day tour in Suzhou? I'm thinking: Humble Administrator's Garden, Suzhou Museum, Twin Pagodas, Tiger Hill, and Shantang Street. Is this route out of the way, or is it good for an e-scooter?
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That's a very classic route, but it's extremely rushed. Can you even guarantee getting reservations for the Humble Administrator's Garden and Suzhou Museum? I'd suggest skipping the Twin Pagodas. Do the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Museum in the morning, have lunch nearby, then take a taxi to Tiger Hill – traffic isn't usually bad in that direction. In the evening, take a boat from the south gate to Shantang Street.
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Hello! I'm planning to visit next month, after the National Day holiday, to see the autumn scenery. I'm a photography enthusiast and prefer quieter, more elegant places. I'll be in Suzhou for four days. Could you recommend some attractions? Thank you!
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Oh, I'm no expert! Four days after the holiday is quite a generous amount of time. The weather should be pleasant, and crowds will be manageable, though the leaves probably won't have changed color yet. I'd personally recommend not missing Tiger Hill, Lingering Garden, and the Master of the Nets Garden. You could also walk a section of the path along the city moat. For other places, you can refer to my note with route recommendations and pick a few based on where you're staying and your interests.
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I'm not a fan of typical tourist attractions. Could you tell me where in Suzhou I can find charming little old streets and alleys to wander through?
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If you don't mind crowds, you can wander through the small alleys off either side of Pingjiang Road. If you prefer fewer people, head to the alleys between the Changmen Gate area and Wuqu Fang – they're perfect for an aimless stroll.
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Excuse me, which nine gardens are listed as World Cultural Heritage sites?
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The Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden, Lion Grove Garden, Master of the Nets Garden, Canglang Pavilion (Surging Waves Pavilion), Couple's Garden Retreat (Ou Yuan), Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty (Huanxiu Shanzhuang), Yipu Garden (Garden of Cultivation), and the Retreat & Reflection Garden (Tuisi Yuan).