Whether it's sensitive or not isn't for you to decide. It's about how the person feels.

Hello everyone! If you are a lazy traveler like me who does not like to think much when making travel plans, then keep this 2-night and 3-day itinerary for Suzhou!

How to get to Suzhou?

• Taking a high-speed train is highly recommended to reach Suzhou Station. This station is right in the city center, which makes it convenient to go to any scenic spot.

Travel plan without detours!

Day 1: Ancient Charm and Bazaar Culture

• Suzhou Museum ️
  • This museum is very famous and was designed by the renowned architect Liang Sicheng (note that the original content mentions I.M. Pei but refers to him as Mr. Liang by his Chinese name).
  • Reminder: The museum is extremely popular! It is absolutely necessary to book tickets in advance through the official mini-program or app! Otherwise, you may come all the way and find out there’s no admission available.
• Zhuozheng Garden
  • As one of China's most famous gardens, it could also be considered representative of Suzhou gardens. With azaleas in spring, lotus flowers in summer; it is a beautiful sight all year round.
  • Hint: Because it's so well-known, it tends to be quite crowded too; especially during festivals — be mentally prepared.
• Pingjiang Road ‍️
  • A historic water town street with narrow stone pavements, riverside, and options for gondola boat rides and trying local snacks.
  • Personal note: Recently more commercialized than before, with large crowds, it's worth visiting for a casual wander, yet don't expect too much.
• Shuangta Market
  • To experience local life and find delicious Suzhou delicacies like cakes and noodles at reasonable prices, come here!
• Guanqian Street ️
  • Similar to Nanjing Road in Shanghai or Wangfujing Street in Beijing, an old-fashioned shopping alley where you can purchase local specialties from many traditional shops.

Day 2: Serenity and History Tracing

• Hanshan Temple
  • Known from famous ancient poems about "the temple bell ringing past midnight", this place has become a must-visit destination.
• Xiyuan Temple 🧘‍️
  • Often with fewer visitors compared to Hanshan Temple, it’s preferred by locals, famous for feeding pigeons and petting cats within the monastery grounds.
• Liu Yuan
  • As one of the four famous gardens in Suzhou, it feels more delicate compared to Zhuozheng Garden with each step offering another picturesque view.
• Huqiu Hill
  • Sometimes referred to as the "First Scenery of Wuzhong," its inclining tower is often compared to Pisa’s Leaning Tower. With a larger area and longer route, it likely requires more time.
• Shantang Street ️
  • An idiom referring to both Suzhou's and Hangzhou's beauty, lit up beautifully at night.
  • Suggestion: Extremely crowded, particularly at night.

Day 3: Quaint Life & Modern City

• Fengmen Alley
  • A lively wet market where genuine Suzhou life can be experienced with fresh produce and breakfast foods available in abundance.
• Wangshi Garden ️
  • A more compact and exquisite garden offering Kunqu Opera performances at night, adding to its charm.
  • Caution: Night tours require additional booking and reservations in advance.
• Jinji Lake
  • Representing the modern side of Suzhou, with large lakes surrounded by tall buildings, perfect for cycling and walking.
• Oriental Gateway
  • One of the landmarks in Suzhou, known for its unique and funny nickname "Big Trousers" among Chinese internet users due to its design.
• Oriental Gateway, 53rd Floor
  • With great views of Jinji Lake at night where entrance may require additional payment or purchase inside restaurants. Information should be obtained in advance if the night view interests you.

Accommodation Suggestions

• For an authentic Suzhou experience: selecting the Gusu District will bring you close to classical gardens and numerous snacks.
  • Advantage: proximity to classical gardens and abundant snacks.
  • Disadvantage: older area and hotels might feel antiquated; during holidays, the surroundings could be busy and noisy.
• For a modern experience: choosing the Jinjilake area provides new, good-quality hotels, plenty of dining options, and entertainment, but the distant scenic spots would need transportation or taxis.

Important Travel Tips!

• Reservation! Reservation! Reserve!!!
  • Popular attractions like Suzhou Museum, Zhuozheng Garden, and Lions Grove (if planning to visit) need to have your tickets booked in advance through their respective apps or mini-programs, preferably a few days before the actual trip during peak season (spring, autumn, and public holidays).
  • Pay particular attention to Suzhou Museum, free of charge but difficult to get tickets in a hurry because of high demand — be strategic instead of trying your luck at the door.
• If you feel perplexed over choosing gardens:
  • No need to visit every single garden since visiting similar ones might become tiresome. Picking 2-3 representative gardens (the itinerary includes the Zhuozheng Garden, Liu Garden, and Wangshi Garden) will be sufficient.
• Old City Transportation:
  • During rush hour or weekends, traffic jams could be caused by narrow urban streets in the old city. Sometimes walking is quicker than hailing cabs when the distances are short and weather permits, or cycling on bike-sharing platforms.
• Watch Out for Scalpers and Rogue Tour Guides
  • At train stations or scenic sites, individuals aggressively offering tickets at lower rates or claiming to know a shortcut leading to secret routes should be politely refused, avoiding purchasing or following them! Stick to official ticket providers or apps.
• Buy Souvenirs Carefully:
  • Looking for local crafts like silk, Suzhou Embroidery, and Biluo Spring tea? Visit reputable stores, avoid tourist spots such as Pingjiang Road and Shantang Street for high-quality items with fair prices to avoid impulse buying.

Not at all. I've been to Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung, and everyone I met was incredibly friendly and welcoming. Many were eager to chat, especially after recognizing our mainland accent.

I arrived in mid-February and spent nearly three weeks job hunting. I was anxious every day because my money was running out. I kept wondering what to do, wanted to go home, and was so stressed I'd just wander outside. With no experience, I mostly found companies offering around 3k+ a month, which I ultimately didn't take. You really can't survive on 3k+ in Shenzhen.

As someone who grew up in Shenzhen – a 'second-generation local' – I find the city too frenetic and don't want to stay. Even though my job and income are decent, I just don't feel a sense of belonging.

Maybe five-star hotels aren't really your thing.

Going out to have fun just means spending money.

Marrying into Suzhou to become a 'Suzhou belle'!

I never buy from shops around scenic spots—a hard pass for me—except maybe from the food stalls.

Any recommendations for a Suzhou-style noodle place?

The subway and bikes are super convenient. Driving downtown means hitting traffic, especially for tourists heading to the lake area – it's crowded with narrow roads, so a bike might actually be faster.

Oh, another temple? And more scenic spots to see?

• I just got back from Hangzhou – you know, that Chinese city famous for its beautiful West Lake and abundant temples.
• But guess what, next month, I’m heading off to the Kansai region of Japan – places like Kyoto and Nara, I feel like it’s going to be another “temple overload”.
• At this point, I am getting so frustrated! I can’t think of anything new or fresh to do besides visiting these temples and gardens. I fear I will suffer from "temple fatigue" soon!

Wow, friends, my visit to Hangzhou provided quite an experience!

The weather here is something else... it feels like I'm not clean anymore, sticky and uncomfortable!

• Although it's just the end of May, it's incredibly humid and stifling when you step outside. The air seems so wet that you can almost wring water out of it, leaving your skin feeling sticky and making breathing somewhat difficult.
• At night, you'll toss and turn due to the heat, unable to get any restful sleep - the hot conditions are truly unbearable! Oh no!

Important heads-up for anyone planning to visit Hangzhou soon:

• What is “plum rain season”? If you're visiting Hangzhou or other areas along the Yangtze River Delta (like Shanghai and Nanjing) from late May to early July, you might encounter this “plum rain season.”

• This peculiar weather phenomenon takes its name because it happens around the time when plums ripen. In simple terms, it's marked by prolonged drizzle, high temperatures, and high humidity, making the air very dense.

• What to expect for your trip?

  • Sticky: Get mentally prepared to feel like a sticky sticky-rice cake walking around everywhere
  • Muggy/Uncomfortable: Even when it isn't raining, the air feels stagnant and heavy on the chest.
  • Hot: Combined with high humidity, it feels like a steamy hot day; the body feels very warm.
  • Hard to Dry: Your clothes may take days before they dry after being washed.

• How to deal with it:

  • Clothing: Pack moisture-wicking, lightweight, breathable clothing and bring a few extra outfits for changes because sweating can be intense.
  • Accommodation: When booking hotels, double check for powerful air conditioning as it will be essential in coping with the heat!
  • Getting Around: Bring an umbrella (ones suitable for both sunny and rainy days), small fans, tissues / wet wipes. Drink plenty of water and watch out for heatstroke.
  • Mindset: Keep a positive attitude - this is how the weather is here! Just know that the locals experience the same discomfort too, ha-ha!

#HangzhouWeather #HangzhouTravelTips #SurvivalGuideforthePlumRainSeason #HeatWave #JiangnanWetAndSticky

Hello everyone! I'm super excited to be heading to Hangzhou soon! Hahaha!

However, I noticed that when looking at recent photos online, there are crowds everywhere. Therefore, I’ve decided to start my trip after the holiday period.

To be honest, making the itinerary gave me a headache, and I almost considered just being hands-off and spontaneous in my travels (from a methodical planner J-person to a more carefree P-person).

But still, I’d like to ask for recommendations from Hangzhou local friends or those who have already visited:

My tentative travel plan is as follows:

• Arrival: Take overnight high-speed train to Hangzhou.
• Day 1: Lingyin Temple + Afternoon TBD
  • Go to Lingyin Temple in the morning.
    • Tip: Lingyin Temple is one of the most well-known ancient Buddhist temples in Hangzhou, where many people come to pray.
  • I only plan on spending half the day there, so I might not have time for the God of Wealth Temple or other temples close by.
  • Have some vegetarian noodles at or around the temple grounds over lunch, then ride a bus back to city center.
  • Help Sought: What places are worth visiting in the afternoon? Any recommends?
• Day 2: West Lake Tourist Day
  • Around 6:30am in the morning, take a boat ride along the West Lake shoreline.
    • I want to ride the small hand-operated boats, and I heard the line at Tortoise Bay is pretty peaceful with fewer tourists.
    • Fact: West Lake is so vast it features many different sights. Tortoise Bay is a quiet area of the lake.
  • Once off the boat, spend the rest of the day sightseeing around. Is spending the whole day enough time there?
  • Help Sought: Are there special rules to take note of for walking through West Lake, or is just walking around enough?
  • Given that West Lake is so large, isn't renting a bike much more convenient and less tiring?
• Day 3: Morning Excursion + Return
  • Have a 2pm train ticket home.
  • Help Sought: What other places are worth visiting in Hangzhou in the morning?
• The Main Priority: Food Recommendations & Avoiding Pitfalls!
  • Take Note! This trip to Hangzhou also has eating authentic local cuisine as a top priority!
  • Please share any tasty eatery recommendations or what restaurants or snacks to avoid!
  • I've got my heart set on having real Dongpo Pork!!! (东坡肉)
  • After all, the maxim "Heaven is above, while Suzhou and Hangzhou are below" states that these two areas, known for their picturesque scenery, mustn’t be missed when it comes to food too!
    • Cultural Insight: “Heaven is above, while Suzhou and Hangzhou are below”, is a famous proverb that describes the beauty and pleasantness as though this was heaven below us.

Looking forward to your advice! #HeavenisaboveSuzhouHangzhouarebelow #Hangzhou #LocalRecommendations #TravelGuides #A Guide to Exploring & Dining #WestLake

Friends.

Hi there, fellow travel enthusiasts!

Here are some genuine impressions and memories made by some of our friends from Taiwan who ventured solo to mainland China, which I wanted to share with you.

• There is a diverse array of places that they visited:
  • Fashionable Shenzhen, bustling Shanghai, relaxed Chengdu, cultural Xiamen;
  • Time-honored Yangzhou, mysterious Tibet (which is actually a large region with lots of preparation needed before visiting!);
  • Food paradise Guangzhou and picturesque Hangzhou… and the list goes on, many places have been left with their footprints!

I truly welcome Taiwanese friends to visit mainland China, explore the unique tales and charms hidden in every city here as well. Can't wait to see and hear more discoveries from you all!

#Taiwan #LocalLife #TravelRecommendation #SoloTravel

Wow, I'm back in Taiwan again for some fun! This is my second time visiting.

Last time, I went to Taichung (a big city in the central part of Taiwan), where everyone was friendly and left a really positive impression on me.

That's why I'm really looking forward to visiting Taipei (in northern Taiwan, it's the most bustling urban area) this time around.

Up until now, my experiences have been great:

• The front desk staff at the hotel were super friendly and patient.
• When we couldn't figure out directions a few times on the road and asked people for help, everyone was very enthusiastic - sometimes even guiding us personally a bit of the way.
  • Tip: If you get lost or have some other questions in Taiwan, don't hesitate to ask passersby; they usually help willingly.
• Shopping experiences were fantastic too! Shop assistants were all extra热情 (translating directly: 'extra enthusiastic', but considerably fitting "very welcoming" or "extra warm-hearted"), even if we haven't bought anything, their "thanks for your visit," and "goodbye" made me feel good.

Overall, there are just too many happy things I've experienced in this trip that I can't list them all here.

My Taipei trip continues to be exciting, hoping there will be more pleasant surprises coming up!
#Taiwan #taipeitrip #TaiwanTravel

Note: To express the idea of shop employees being热情 (warm-hearted), while "very welcoming" or "extra warm-hearted" convey a similar sentiment, more suitable expressions might depend on local colloquial preference for English speaking regions. However, "extra warm-hearted" might slightly change the connotation compared to the original "extra热情", so "very welcoming" could be a safer choice.

Yep, that's right.

You're right. I fell for the hype and ate there too.

Don't join a group tour when you come to Beijing! Taxis and the subway are so much more convenient. Seriously, I'm begging anyone visiting Beijing – don't do a group tour.