DON'T COME!!!
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I'm telling you, going to Suzhou for a holiday during the peak season? That's like spending money to make things worse for yourself!
Accommodation Hell:
I booked a bungalow in Guanqian Street (an extremely famous business district in Suzhou). Oh my God! It was super noisy! Nearly 330 yuan per night, and I stayed for two days.
Thinking of returning the room? The second day's cost wasn't refundable; they even deducted 150 yuan as a handling fee. Unbelievable!
Troubles with Cheongsam Experience (a kind of beautiful traditional Chinese dress):
Wishing to buy a cheongsam as a souvenir, the quality of these "influencer shops" is honestly not much better than what you can get from cheaper online shopping sites.
After much searching, I finally found one I liked, but there was no stock size available! So I had to settles on an oversized option, the very last piece in the store.
I asked the owner if we could adjust it slightly, and he suggested finding a tailor nearby. However, the store next door was closed!
The streets around the Old City of Suzhou are very narrow, crowded with people, and the navigator directed me to another tailor shop; it took a full half-hour due to the crowds to get there and it cost me 25 yuan for alterations.
️ Warning: Change clothing with your privacy protected!I changed my cheongsam behind a curtain, but someone tried to pull the curtain aside to peek, even touching me! I'm so angry!
How to avoid: Lock the door or ensure your space is private and secure, preferably with a friend watching outside.
Debunking Online Famous Restaurant "Li Bai River Crab":
I ate at the popular "Li Bai Crab" restaurant, queuing for one hour!
Only two bowls of noodles, two desserts, one small piece of chicken, and one cup of tea that tastes like Isatis Root (a common Chinese herbal medicine mixture), costs 220 yuan. It’s just OK, average taste.
️ Diet Alert! Caution if you have sensitive digestive system!The food made me nauseous, then threw up in the hotel room, had to drink Huoxiang Zhengqi water (a commonly used Chinese medicine for stomach discomfort).
How to avoid: If you have sensitive digestive system, less risk will come from avoiding cold or unfamiliar foods, otherwise bring some medicines with you.
Difficult Medical Care Due to Allergy:
My gut problem finally became better, only to suffer from allergies. Super itchy!
I rushed to a nearby hospital, but they said they don't treat skin problems and suggested going to the General Hospital (Headquarters).
️ Alert: Taxi Tips! Plan ahead!I waited for more than twenty minutes at the roadside but couldn’t get a taxi!
How to avoid: During holidays in China, it’s hard to find taxis. Download multiple ride-hailing apps, understand public transport maps, or ask for help from hotel staff or police officers if it’s urgent.
When I arrived at the Headquarters from 11:30 PM to 2:30 AM, the experience was exhausting.
Switch to Guesthouses, Not Much Better:
Switched to another local-style accommodation for about 300 yuan per night,
it turned out to be shared toilet accommodations, with broken doors as well! The rooms were pretty ordinary too.
景点？算了吧！
The queue at the Humble Administrator’s Garden entrance (one of the most famous gardens in Suzhou). It looks over two hundred meters long! No way did I go there. Everywhere I went, people were everywhere, it was hard to walk.
All in all, my painful lessons:
- Avoid traveling to Suzhou during holidays.
- Take this as a warning.
- Listen to advice from others.
- Try to avoid crowded places.