Suzhou: An Old Artsy Soul's Guide (Pt. 4) – How NOT to Get Zapped! (Advance Warning)
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Hello, friends planning to visit Suzhou! I often get asked about the best way to explore the ancient city, so here’s a piece to tell you what I think you should know before heading there.
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Suzhou is incredibly unique with its historic Old City core—dating back over 2,500 years and never having been relocated!
To protect the old charm of the city, strict regulations prohibit the construction of buildings any taller than the famous Beisi Pagoda (about six floors in height).
Consequently, the streets in the Old City tend to be rather narrow, and buildings relatively low-lying, giving off a slightly congested vibe.
* Note: If you have high expectations for urban infrastructure like broad roads and towering skyscrapers, you may find this area disappointing. -
Suzhou’s Old Town (Gusu District) is a lively place, with a population of nearly one million people, causing significant traffic congestion.
Especially so on Linding Road, which is currently under renovation and connects Suzhou Museum to the pedestrian-friendly Guping Street; Pingjiang Road and Shiquan Street can also become extremely crowded after school let-outs.
The best way to tour around the city is to take the metro and walk.
* Note: If taking taxis is your mode of transport of choice, be prepared for potentially long waits and frequent roadblocks. Moreover, if you are worried about walking too much, reconsider this option before you even leave home. -
Although there is no shortage of scenic attractions in Suzhou, they can also be quite scattered.
The entire Old City is around 14 square kilometers, boasting nine registered UNESCO World Heritage Sites among its classical gardens and over 500 other preserved relics within its bounds. Each site might not seem large individually, but the scattered layout means visiting several different locations could exhaust you in no time.
* Note: Preparing a travel itinerary in advance is a must-do for a smoother trip. Don’t be lazy and skip this step! -
Suzhou is a fashionable tourist destination these days, packed with visitors.
Places like the Humble Administrator's Garden, Pingjiang Road, and Shantang Street can become incredibly crowded during weekends and holidays, making it difficult to experience the charming and tranquil atmosphere that Suzhou usually offers.
* Note: Consider carefully if you are particularly averse to crowds before deciding to take your trip to Suzhou. -
Suzhou’s highlights are primarily its cultural landscapes, such as classical gardens. These spaces used to be personal sanctuaries for ancient scholars with knowledge and literary attainments.
If you appreciate immersing in cultural riches and subtle aesthetics, then this will suit you.
* Note: Should you not share a fondness for culture, you might find such tours uneventful.
Before planning, think of your preferences by addressing these inquiries:
- Do you fancy historical and cultural sites over natural beauty?
- Are wide-open vistas favored by you rather than winding alleys?
- Which interests more, classical gardens and ancient architecture or local life experiences?
- Are you drawn to bustling scenes or tranquil settings?
- Is your goal to taste the flavors of Jiangnan or just posing in beautiful photos?
- Will you prefer leisurely tours or a jam-packed sightseeing routine?
- Are you already accustomed to Chinese poetry or traditional paintings?
Your trip won’t turn out disappointingly if you know your preferences and make decisions accordingly.
For instance, while my senior relative felt constricted during a visit to the Mingdu Garden of Yanzu Pavilion in Mudu Ancient Town, but felt relieved at Huoyin Mountain Villa (an open-air location), so I knew exactly which gardens to bypass.
Some friends regret spending money on tickets to the Humble Administrator’s Garden, Suzhou’s most famous park, saying it was less impressive than ordinary parks. But others are pleased about putting on Hanfu (traditional Chinese clothing) for photos.In conclusion, it's crucial to first understand the characteristics of Suzhou, then align your expectations with your own personal interests to design a travel plan tailored to your needs.
- A tip for culture enthusiasts: Prepare yourself in advance by watching documentaries about Suzhou gardens or immersing in the story of the novel ‘Foodie’ by Lu Wenfu—a narrative revolving around Suzhou. This will vastly improve your experience and make it much more enjoyable!
Up next, I’ll share some recommended routes for you! #Suzhou #SuzhouTravel #SuzhouGuide
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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?