Suzhou Xishan, a casual vacation
This is my third time to Suzhou Xishan, a place that feels both familiar and unfamiliar.
The car drove to the edge of Taihu Lake and drove onto the Taihu Bridge. The familiar feeling came back, but when it came to the attractions on the island, except for Mingyue Bay, which left a deep impression on me, it seemed as if I had never been to the others.
The favorite travel mode for middle-aged and elderly people is a relaxed and casual vacation, especially to places that can be reached by just stepping on the accelerator, which focuses on casualness.
The homestay we stayed in was right next to the Piaomiao Peak Scenic Area, so we chose to visit the nearby Dongcun, Hengshan Island, and Jingshan Sunset Viewing Platform.
Dongcun is an ancient village, said to have a history of more than 2,000 years. On Sunday afternoons, there are elderly people setting up stalls at the entrance of the village. Apart from that, there are almost no shops and not many tourists, so the village has retained its original style.
There are many ancient houses in the village, and Jingxiu Hall is the most famous one. This is where Emperor Qianlong kept his beauties during his six trips to the south of the Yangtze River. It is also the filming location for some film and television works. I spent 10 yuan to get in, and what I saw was an empty house that was becoming increasingly dilapidated. Apart from the words on the walls, doors and windows, and a pair of dragons and phoenixes, there was nothing else. I could only imagine how luxurious it was in the past. In the evening, we headed to the Jingshan Sunset Viewing Platform.
This is a place that can only be viewed from a distance and not up close. From the drone camera, the afterglow of the setting sun shines on the lake, which is romantic and beautiful. However, when entering the observation deck, the road is rugged and there are many vendors on both sides, which really spoils the scenery. The most popular attraction here is the lighthouse on the dam, but it is not easy to find a good shooting position.
The most recommended is Hengshan Island, which is known as "Little Kenting". On Monday morning, the crowds dispersed and cars could drive directly onto the island. There are many homestays on the island, and their names are very poetic. When the weather is good, it is a pleasant experience to relax with a cup of coffee on the platform overlooking the lake. Hengshan Island is not big and it takes about 2 hours to walk around it. The B&Bs here are quieter, but the prices may be higher. In addition, there is a disadvantage that there are very few parking spaces.
In late autumn and early winter, Xishan is full of beautiful scenery, such as the reeds in backlight, the golden ginkgo leaves and the bright red maple leaves, which are all a feast for the eyes.
Tips: When choosing a lake view room, you should also pay attention to its quietness. Many B&Bs in Xishan are located next to the road, and with all the traffic at night, it is not very friendly to light sleepers.