Suzhou is famous for its classical gardens, water towns, and rich cultural heritage. It's a great destination for short trips. Here's a detailed 3-day itinerary designed with foreign travelers in mind.

Day 1: Classical Gardens and Historical Culture
Theme: Experience the charm of Suzhou's gardens and ancient cityscape
Morning:
Start your day at the Humble Administrator's Garden (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Suzhou's largest classical garden). Then head to the Suzhou Museum, designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei, where you can learn about Suzhou’s history and culture.
Lunch:
Stroll along Pingjiang Road, an old street along the river, and try local snacks like Suzhou-style noodle soup or sweet porridge.
Afternoon:
The Lion Grove Garden is known for its artificial mountains, offering a unique experience of traditional Chinese garden design. Afterward, visit Guanqian Street, Suzhou’s bustling commercial area, where you can buy souvenirs such as silk embroidery or Biluochun tea.
Evening:
Take a walk along Shantang Street, enjoying the night views of the water town illuminated by lights. You can also take a boat ride to fully immerse yourself in the scenery.

Day 2: Water Towns and Natural Beauty
Theme: Discover the beauty of Jiangnan water towns and natural landscapes
Morning:
Visit Tongli Ancient Town (or Zhouzhuang), famous for its bridges and rivers. Don’t miss attractions like the Tuisi Garden and Pearl Pagoda.
Lunch:
Try local specialties in the water town, such as white fish, grandmother tea, or green rice cakes.
Afternoon:
Climb Tiger Hill, known as the 'First Mountain of Wu,' where you can see the Leaning Tower of Tiger Hill and Sword Pool. Visit Hanshan Temple, made famous by the poem 'Mooring by Maple Bridge at Night,' to enjoy the tranquility of an ancient Buddhist temple.
Evening:
Relax near Jinji Lake, admiring the modern skyline of Suzhou. You can stroll along Li Gongdi or watch the musical fountain show.

Day 3: Art, Culture, and Leisure
Theme: Dive deeper into Suzhou’s art and culture
Morning:
Explore the Lingering Garden, known for its architectural layout and unique rocks, and the smaller but charming Wangshi Garden.
Lunch:
Head to Shiquan Street for authentic Su-style cuisine, including dishes like squirrel-shaped mandarin fish and sizzling eel.
Afternoon:
Learn about silk culture at the Suzhou Silk Museum and shop for silk products. Visit Canglang Pavilion, Suzhou's oldest garden, to feel the poetic atmosphere favored by ancient scholars.
Evening:
Depending on your departure time, revisit Pingjiang Road or Shantang Street to browse for last-minute souvenirs.

Tips:

• Suzhou’s gardens tend to get crowded, so it's best to arrive early.
• Spring and autumn are ideal seasons for visiting due to pleasant weather.
• Some attractions, like the Humble Administrator's Garden and Suzhou Museum, require advance reservations.

This guide aims to help you make the most of your trip to Suzhou while avoiding common pitfalls!

This comparison really highlights the intense competition and pressure in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai. It feels quite suffocating.

I used to go to the Bund at night, but during my last few days, I went during the day and sat there for a long time. You moved from one big city to another, while I returned to a small village.

Well, to be honest, this place feels like a hastily constructed subpar amusement park, utterly destroying the beautiful natural scenery.

• The architectural style of the entire amusement park is completely out of harmony with the surrounding natural environment. It gives off an impression that things were built without much thought put into aesthetics or integration with nature.
• The customer service attitude of the staff was also rather unsatisfactory, showing almost no friendliness and sometimes ignoring questions posed by visitors.

• ️ Especially beware of that slide! Those going to play it must be extra cautious!
  • Why?
    1. That slide is made up of large pieces of granite rocks joined together; the seams are glued (or something similar) and look somewhat unreliable.
    2. To make matters worse, the slope of the slide is very steep, but it has absolutely no automatic deceleration devices!
    3. The speed control is operated by staff members below holding a rope (or similar)! Can you believe it?
  • What were the consequences?
    1. I went down once, using all my strength to control the speed in response to staff instructions, and ended up almost injuring my wrist and arm – it was far from fun.
  • How to avoid this issue?
    1. Honestly, it is best to not play this slide at all. But if you must, make sure to confirm ahead of time how the speed is controlled and ensure the protection of your wrists.

All in all, the experience was rather average, especially due to the damage to natural landscapes and that dangerous slide – I hope they make improvements soon. #Rant #AvoidingPitfalls

Hi, where was the second picture (p2) taken? I'd love to go there for the sunset.

Yeah, it's about character.

Thank you.

True that.

Shenzhen schools usually organize trips to a few essential places: Happy Valley, Window of the World, OCT East, and Jinggangshan.

I hate Shenzhen!

Hello everyone! I recently explored the entire Yongqing Lane area inside and out, taking a lot of photos!

Some people believe that this place is overly "commercialized," almost like it was constructed specifically for tourists. However, to be honest, the transportation here is very convenient, and it's truly a great spot for photography.

Yongqing Lane is a restored neighborhood within the old city area of Guangzhou. It is reminiscent of Nanluoguxiang in Beijing or Tianzifang in Shanghai — a mix of traditional old buildings and newly added shops.

I've made a route map to make your photo shoot experience even more enjoyable. I hope you find it useful:

• Recommended Route (Reference Picture 2 if available):

  • ① Entrance Arch of Yongqing Lane
    • This is a grand Chinese-style arch at the entrance, easy to find. Take a 'visitor' picture here before you continue with the tour. (If using a map, search for a store called "LEFT RIGHT"; the arch is located nearby.)
  • ② Classic Photography Spot of Yongqing Lane
    • One can capture a scenic view with a feel of Lingnan water towns on display here. (Navigate to a dessert shop named "Guangdong Southern Xin Sugar Water," with the classic photo spot right beside it.)
  • ③ Home of Bruce Lee's (International Martial Arts Star of the Past) Ancestors
    • The ancestral home of the legendary martial arts star, Bruce Lee. Many foreigners would know him, so it's worth exploring.
  • ④ Guangdong Opera Culture Museum
    • Recommended to enter from the East Gate 1. Cantonese Opera is a famous traditional opera in Guangdong, similar to Peking Opera but having different singing style and music form. The museum itself is architecturally attractive and deserves a tour.
  • ⑤ Sorrel Saying Barbecue External Graffiti Wall (First Store in Lichuan District)
    • There is an impressive graffiti wall outside the barbecue dining shop which makes a great backdrop for individualistic pictures.
  • ⑥ Enning-193 Creative Market
    • A place with a variety of small arts and crafts stalls. In particular, a wall named "Three Lives Trust" has many engravings that also make good photo spots.
  • ⑦ Xunxun Fermentation Wall of the Yongqing Lane Branch
    • Another creative wall covered with inscriptions, suitable for an additional photo session.
  • ⑧ UNPOP STORE (Yongqing Lane Branch) Unique Guangzhou Slogan Bags
    • There are shopping bags printed with the title 'Guangzhou', which can be looked into as souvenirs. Purchase them or not, up to you.
  • ⑨ Book House by Zhongshu (Yongqing Lane Branch)
    • A well-designed bookstore present across multiple cities in China, renowned nationwide for its unique interior layout.
  • ⑩ Creativity Ice Cream of the Yongqing Lane Store
    • The creative ice cream, known as 'Cultural Ice Cream', resembles local landmarks – giving it both a visual appeal and taste to be savored, making it also perfect as a prop for photoshoots.

• ️ Timetable:

  • Although it seems there are ten spots to check out, in reality, most locations are close by, requiring only about one to two hours for both tours and photos.

• 🥤 Food & Drink Breaks:

  • There are a lot of coffee shops around Yongqing Lane, but to my knowledge, there aren't a specific number of design-savvy 'Internet Celebrity' themed cafes.
  • In case of getting tired, stopping by any random café will do, or if you prefer a quieter setting, the interior of the Guangdong Opera Culture Museum is also pretty tranquil.

• Cost:

  • Visiting all the above photo spots is completely free, no entry tickets are required!

• ️ Final Notes & Recommendations:

  • Important Note – Best Visit Time: After morning 10 a.m.
    - At that time, most small shops, coffee houses, and craft shops have already opened. Going too early results in less bustle and fewer open stores, possibly affecting the experience of taking pictures and window shopping negatively.
    • Busy Weekends: Beware that weekends and holidays may lead to larger crowds. To avoid it, opting for weekdays might be more suitable.
    • Photography Manners: Remember, some old buildings may still have residents living there. Be mindful when shooting to avoid annoying the inhabitants.

I'm planning a trip to the southeast coast in late May. What's the weather like? Any chance of typhoons?

That's incredible!

Orange cakes and crispy beef pastries aren't Beijing local snacks.

It's a total steam cage. You're in a cage woven from plants, getting steamed. When the water's low, it pours. Then the sun comes out to heat things up. Just when you're nearly cooked, more water! Ensures everyone becomes a plump, dewy-skinned, little steamed bun.

Attractions are usually free or just cost an entrance fee. But step into a mall, and you could easily spend anywhere from hundreds to thousands, even tens of thousands. Young people aren't foolish; it's tough for working folks to save money.

Yesterday, I got pretty flustered! I was even thinking of just driving straight there from Hangzhou.

Could really use a map of Pingjiang Road!

I went to Suzhou yesterday, and I have to say, it's so much better than Hangzhou!

For real nightlife, you've got to go to Guangzhou or Shenzhen.