Suzhou is a dream come true! Here's everything you need to know about this magical city in just two days.

1. Shantang Street (Seven Li Shantang) can get super crowded, but the sunset and night views are absolutely breathtaking. Don’t miss out on taking an evening ride in one of the traditional wooden boats—it’s romantic and unforgettable!

2. Pingjiang Road is food heaven! You could spend half an hour just walking down this street, sampling all the local delicacies. If shopping is your thing, head over to Guanqian Street nearby—it’s perfect for picking up souvenirs or gifts.

3. Hanshan Temple is stunningly beautiful, especially with its koi-filled ponds. Pro tip: Buy incense at the entrance—it’s cheaper there compared to inside. And don't forget to try the famous vegetarian noodles served near the temple early in the morning.

4. The Zhuozheng Garden may take more than 30 minutes to explore fully, though it might not blow you away as much as you expect. Still, it makes for some great photo opportunities!

5. Suzhou Museum fits perfectly into your itinerary along with Zhuozheng Garden and Lion Grove Garden. Reserve tickets online well ahead—up to a week before visiting. The museum itself is incredibly picturesque, and their gift shop has tons of cool items worth browsing through.

6. On Pingjiang Road, there’s an elderly artist who draws custom portraits using people’s names. Be warned: lines get long quickly, so arrive early if you want to snag a spot.

7. For accommodations, we stayed at a hotel with 30+ floors offering panoramic views of the city skyline. It was absolutely worth it!

8. Feeling adventurous? Drive out to enjoy one of the largest outdoor hot springs in the Yangtze River Delta region. There’s even a pool filled with rubber ducks that’s too fun to leave!

Food Recommendations:

• Try a bowl of crab roe noodles.
• Visit Cha Se Yan Yu, three popular cafes located on Pingjiang Road known for their photogenic vibes despite long queues.
• Check out Xin Meihua, where most locals dine.
• Don’t miss the chicken claws sold by two different vendors—they’re both delicious!

If you're coming from abroad, keep in mind that Suzhou blends ancient charm with modern conveniences. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes because you'll be doing plenty of walking!

Excuse me, where was the first picture taken? It's gorgeous!

The vast majority of people in Taiwan are very friendly. I've been there twice, staying for nearly 6 months in total. The people seemed great. It's just that the traffic on the roads is really fast.

I went in 2018 and followed the same route as you. I even had the Chishang bento! I really want to go back.

The accommodation was terrible. A 500 yuan hotel there isn't even as good as a 100-something yuan one in a small mainland county town.

There's nothing to do in Shenzhen.

Don't go back! Your hometown is the real trap. Focus on your career in Shenzhen, find a boyfriend, and build a life together. It's much more comfortable here than back home. The tricky part about hometowns is dealing with all the complex relationships and people's hidden agendas.

If you hate Shenzhen, then what city do you like?

I'm pretty sure you do. They checked for it when I took a bus, so train stations and airports are likely even stricter.

Are you here to advertise? I bet you don't even know the 'big boss' who calls the shots there.

I've lived in Guangzhou for over 20 years, and I can't definitively say if it's 'fun.' If you find it enjoyable, it means you're looking at the world with an open heart. If you don't, you're just treating it as another place to tick off a list. When you enter an unfamiliar city, nothing might seem appealing at first. But as you explore its streets and alleys and slowly get to know it, the interesting aspects will naturally reveal themselves. They say the most beautiful scenery in Taiwan is its people; in Guangzhou, it might not necessarily be the people, but it's undoubtedly the Cantonese language, the cuisine, and the service.

You can't eat out at fancy restaurants every day. After work, many people can only afford or have time for pre-prepared meals.

The local Shanghainese noodles here are way better than Japanese ramen.

How do you hail a 'Zhuanche' (premium Didi service)?

It's because most Didi drivers in Shanghai are non-locals doing gig work. They're under immense pressure to cover car rental fees, so their attitude is bound to be poor. If you happen to get a local Shanghainese driver, you'll see the difference. They usually own their cars, are just looking to make a decent day's wage, and are often happy to chat.

Hello, everyone! Today, I want to talk about Lingyan Mountain Temple in Suzhou. It is one of the three major temples in Suzhou, and it's especially famous for the legendary Beauty Xi Shi and an ancient palace of the king of Wu. Additionally, its vegetarian noodles were once extremely well-known, so a lot of tourists come here to visit.

However, if you just consider this place as a regular tourist attraction, let me advise you: Better not come!!! You might end up being disappointed like me!!!

Fees

• Entry to Lingyan Mountain itself is free of charge.
• The temple charges a symbolic entry fee of 1 RMB, which can be paid in cash, online or by scanning a QR code.

(I must add that it’s quite commercialized since they partner with "Tongcheng Tourism". There are a bunch of payment QR codes at the entrance making it look like the entry fee is over a few hundred Yuan. This seems like making a small issue into a major one...)

Is it worth the visit?

• If your intention is to check out a scenic area, I personally don't recommend…

Historical Perspective:
The temple has had its historical significance – it was built on the site of the ancient Wu King Fuchai's palace constructed for the legendary Beauty Xi Shi – but its relics are overly protected with locks and lights, lacking any appeal.

From the perspective of playing and sightseeing:
This is purely a temple. After asking staff members at the entrance about the supposed relics, their confusion was evident. Most things referred to as relics are located in a small park to the west of the temple.

Also, there’s no clear answer to whether the park’s contents date back to the king Wu period or were reconstructed during the republic of China era.

About the noodles:
The vegetarian noodle dish (a type of vegetarian noodles) this place once became extremely famous for now lacks the taste, completely a different thing than what legend says. It isn’t worth traveling here to satisfy your appetite anymore.

In summary:

This place feels a bit like some official institutes next to the Forbidden City in Beijing, with a high-and-majestic feel, losing the charm of a temple. Therefore, if you visit as a tourist attraction, I don't recommend here; however, for praying and offering incense, it's worth visiting!

IMPORTANT NOTICE: STOP!

DON'T take aerial photos using drones! DON'T take aerial photos using drones! DON'T take aerial photos using drones!

Even if you couldn't find any "No Flying" signs from the foot of the mountain to the temple, it's absolutely forbidden here! The consequences would be severe! Don't risk it!

The hotel is over ten kilometers from the attraction.

Kyoto, beautiful? My foot! Coming to Japan just to see its scenery is so uninspired.

The forecast for those days looks okay. It might be a bit muggy, but the temperature isn't expected to be too high.

Exactly! Post a video saying West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce is terrible, and you'll get tons of likes. Say it's delicious? No views for you.