A Suzhou Travel Guide After 5 Visits: Inspired by a Song

🎵“Above there is paradise, below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou, gardens within the city, and lakes beyond…” The melody of "Beautiful Scenery of Suzhou" always makes my heart yearn for this city. This year, I finally embarked on a relaxing 4-day journey to Suzhou. Come along with me! 🌆 Suzhou, located in the central Yangtze River Delta, boasts a history of over 2,500 years. Despite the lingering chill of February, spring is in the air. The ancient city, with its whitewashed walls and black-tiled roofs, small bridges, and flowing water, exudes charm under the misty rain or warm sunshine. The exquisite gardens, the meandering canals, and delicacies like squirrel-shaped mandarin fish all showcase the allure of Jiangnan. 🚌 Transportation: After arriving at Sunan Shuofang International Airport or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, you can take a bus, high-speed train, or subway to Suzhou. Within the city, the subway is the primary mode of transport, supplemented by buses. For suburban attractions, take the tourist bus and enjoy the idyllic scenery of the countryside and water towns along the way😃. 🎯 Itinerary: Days 1-2: City Center - Humble Administrator's Garden - Suzhou Museum - Pingjiang Road Day 1: Explore the Humble Administrator's Garden in the morning, immersing yourself in a picturesque landscape and appreciating the ingenuity of ancient garden design. Have squirrel-shaped mandarin fish for lunch, savoring its crispy exterior and tender, sweet, and sour flavor. In the afternoon, visit the Suzhou Museum to admire the collections and learn about history. In the evening, stroll along Pingjiang Road, enjoying tea, music, and a leisurely atmosphere. Day 2: Revisit Pingjiang Road in the early morning for a breath of fresh air. Enjoy Suzhou-style noodles for lunch, featuring thin noodles in a flavorful broth with various toppings. In the afternoon, explore the Lion Grove Garden, navigating its maze-like rock formations, and then visit Guanqian Street. Day 3: Tiger Hill - Hanshan Temple Visit Tiger Hill in the morning to admire the Tiger Hill Pagoda, Sword Pond, and listen to legendary stories. Savor Suzhou-style pastries for lunch, enjoying their soft, glutinous, and sweet taste. In the afternoon, head to Hanshan Temple to listen to the bell tolls and experience tranquility. Day 4: Zhouzhuang (or Tongli) Ancient Town - Return Trip In the morning, choose to visit either Zhouzhuang or Tongli Ancient Town, taking a boat ride to appreciate the water town scenery and listen to the boatwoman's folk songs. Enjoy delicacies like Wan San Ti (braised pork hock) for lunch before returning. 🌟 Must-Visit Spots: 📍Fragrant Isle (Xiangzhou) in the Humble Administrator's Garden: Capture the poetic beauty of Xiangzhou and the surrounding landscape. 📍Ancient Bridges on Pingjiang Road: Take photos with the ancient bridges, flowing water, and whitewashed walls as a backdrop for a charming atmosphere. 💕 Travel Experience: These four days were a feast of culture and cuisine. The exquisite Humble Administrator's Garden, the serene Hanshan Temple, and the tempting food made me fall in love with Suzhou. Its gentle and elegant charm in February made it hard to leave, and I look forward to returning. 🍱 Food Recommendations: 🥘Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish: Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, with a sweet and sour sauce. 🍜Suzhou-style Noodles: Thin noodles in a flavorful broth with a variety of toppings. 🥮Suzhou-style Pastries: Including plum blossom cakes, soft, glutinous, and sweet. 🦶Wan San Ti: Braised pork hock with a reddish-brown glaze and tender meat. 🥗A Po Cai: Pickled vegetables, salty and fragrant, perfect with rice. Suzhou's captivating scenery and cuisine await you. Come and experience it; you might just fall in love with it, just like I did, inspired by a song!