Suzhou: Your Official 'DO NOT EVEN' List!!!!!

[Faye O'Conner]

Hello everyone, friends visiting Suzhou! I'm here to share my actual experiences with you and provide some guidance on what to watch out for, as well as suggest some enjoyable highlights.

• Pingjiang Road:

  • It's incredibly crowded here! People are everywhere wearing Hanfu, which refers to traditional Chinese costumes often seen in movies, like those worn by knights or fairies.
  • Slow boat rides are a local feature that feels really nice on the canal, but the lines are unimaginably long. You don't want to even think about it.
  • It's almost impossible to find an un-crowded spot for a photo, or get a chance to take photos at the internet-famous check-in walls without queuing.
  • ️注意避坑! Some photographers will cut in line; be on guard so they can't pull it off!

• Qili Shantang:

  • This is even more crowded than Pingjiang Road! We had to wait in line just to enter, and it took around one hour.
  • Inside, it's jam-packed and things are generally overpriced. If you want to buy Qipao, which is another beautiful traditional Chinese dress, expect prices starting at ¥300.
  • My impression was that it feels like a lively street food market, quite commercial.

• Shangfangshan National Forest Park:

  • This park is breathtakingly beautiful! There are flowers of all colors, making it a perfect spot for photography that produces great shots!
  • ️小提示: The park is a bit far from the city center, requiring some time for taxi or bus travel. Entry costs ¥40 per person.

• Suzhou Center & Jinji Lake:

  • Suzhou Center, a large shopping mall, and Jinji Lake's music fountain are near each other, making them ideal spots to visit together.
  • A strong recommendation for Jinji Lake’s music fountain, offering an extremely spectacular scene! Water jets dance along with the rhythm with amazing lighting effects.
  • ️ 重要提示: To see the fountain, make sure you arrive early to secure a good spot! It gets crazily crowded; coming late might only give you a glimpse of the show from the stairs.

• Xiyuan Temple:

  • Come and try the temple's vegetarian noodles and stuffed buns, which contain no meat and follow Buddhist dietary restrictions. Although there are many people in line, the movement is relatively quick.
  • The taste is slightly sweet and light with a flavor I found pretty average, though some may love it.
  • There are many cute little cats inside the temple. Bring cat treats to feed them—it’s really rewarding!
  • The pavilions and buildings are photogenic with a classic Suzhou garden vibe, a famous traditional Chinese style with remarkable elegance.

• Shiquan Street:

  • This street is perfect for city wandering!
  • There are various stylish shops such as coffee shops, ice cream stores, and clothing boutiques, all offering a pleasant blend of quality and beauty.
  • The street is full of fashionably dressed young women. A must-visit for experiencing Suzhou's quiet lifestyle.

#Suzhou #Suzhou_Pingjiang_Road #Suzhou_Eat_Play_Shopping #Pingjiang_Road #Qili_Shangtang #Shiquan_Street #Xiyuan_Temple #Xiyuan_Temple_Vegetarian_Noodles #Jinji_Lake #Suzhou_Center

[Dr. Israel McLaughlin]

Just got back. Honestly, those heavily promoted streets didn't really impress me. But! I absolutely loved the night tour of the Master of the Nets Garden and the teahouse at Beisi Pagoda!!! The Humble Administrator's Garden was also beautiful (though at the Suzhou Museum, I found the architecture itself more interesting than the exhibits).

[Tracy Hoppe]

If you're dining alone, they'll arrange a table just for you.

[Jermaine Satterfield]

I arrived at 9 AM yesterday, and it wasn't too crowded. In one day, I managed to visit the Humble Administrator's Garden, Pingjiang Road, Guanqian Street, and Shantang Street. I also listened to Pingtan opera and took a boat ride. Today, the first day of the holiday, I went to Jinji Lake and Hanshan Temple before heading back in the afternoon. It was quite a whirlwind, 'special forces' style tour hitting all the spots!

[Carmen Willms]

Wow, sis, you packed in so much yesterday! It was probably less crowded then; today it's even more packed. I didn't even visit that many places yesterday and my feet were killing me.

[Helen Gleason]

For a hand-rowed boat ride, head to Tongli Ancient Town. I'd call it a less crowded version of Pingjiang Road, but with wider canals. There's also the Nanyuan Teahouse; buy a tea for 38 or 58 yuan, go upstairs, and listen to Pingtan. The performance is quite good, and the best part is it's not too crowded.

[Marion Barrows]

Tongli feels a bit far, though.

[Leland Erdman]

There's absolutely nothing good to eat in Suzhou.

[Leon O'Keefe]

I agree! (Though I'm open to hearing otherwise.)

[Jesse Paucek]

I only lasted 20 minutes on Pingjiang Road before I couldn't stand it and left. It was insanely crowded and way, way too commercialized.

[Colin Cronin]

Which months are less crowded?

[Felix Glover]

Let me start over, @QianZhiDao, let's try to get all sorts of Suzhou introductions in every post. Suzhou? It's basically a giant, fake ancient 'City God Temple.' Full of newly built 'ancient' streets, dilapidated post-liberation private houses, run-down old buildings hastily painted with black roofs and white walls, and mock-antique renovations everywhere! Then there's the endless stream of internet-famous bamboo-tube milk tea, mung bean soup, and cheap tourist trinkets like qipaos, silk scarves, embroidery, and fans, all probably wholesale from Yiwu! It perfectly satisfies the fantasies of those, say from the far northwest, who don't know the real Jiangnan (like Yangzhou, Jiaxing, Wuxi, Shaoxing...) and have only been fed the romanticized, brainwashing textbook verses about Suzhou. It's just crowded and full of tourist traps. And the moment you step out of what feels like an un-air-conditioned Suzhou Railway Station, you're swarmed by countless illegal taxis!

[Wayne Marvin]

@QianZhiDao, please don't block me or ignore my replies! It really wasn't me who deleted it; it was the original poster of the note. It's all buried now, and I'm quite frustrated about it too.

[Ken Fahey]

Xiyuan Temple -- Suzhou Museum -- Pishi Street -- Bao'en Temple -- Shiquan Street. (This route is quite popular, but it's a bit better than Pingjiang Road.)

[Misty Anderson DDS]

Yes, that's right.

[Ms. Cecilia Lowe]

Can anyone recommend a good hotel or guesthouse?

[Cathy Gulgowski]

Just arrived this afternoon. It's really nice – a duplex, and the environment is good.

[Anita Wiza]

Went to Pingjiang Road in the morning. It wasn't crowded and was still very beautiful.

[Kristopher Schultz PhD]

Around what time in the morning is it not too crowded?

[Johnathan Schmeler]

I'm wondering if it's super crowded these days as well? Also, could anyone advise on where it's more convenient to stay?