Off-the-beaten-path Kunshan Tour
Kunshan, located in Suzhou, Jiangsu, is a city that combines the gentle charm of a Jiangnan water town with the vitality of a modern metropolis. Here is a travel guide:
Transportation Guide
- External Transportation: It is recommended to travel by high-speed rail, with frequent trains at Kunshan South Station and Kunshan Station.
- City Transportation: Metro Line 11 reaches most attractions directly and connects seamlessly with Shanghai, making travel very convenient.
Recommended Attractions
- Zhouzhuang Ancient Town: Known as "China's No.1 Water Town," located at 43 Quanfu Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Kunshan. You can stroll along the ancient streets, visit Shenting and Zhangting, and take a gondola ride to enjoy the night view. Open from 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM; night tours require a separate ticket.
- Jinxi Ancient Town: More off-the-beaten-path than Zhouzhuang, located at 18 Shaodian Gang Road, Jinxi Town, Kunshan, known as "The Hometown of Chinese Folk Museums." You can walk along Wubao Lake, see the reflection of the Ancient Lotus Bridge, and experience hand-pulled boats. Open all day, free admission.
- Tinglin Park: Located at 1 Ma'anshan East Road, Kunshan, this park is rich in historical sites, including the Kunqu Opera Museum, Gu Yanwu Memorial Hall, and Kun Stone Museum. You can also climb Yufeng Mountain for a panoramic city view. Open from 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM, free admission.
- Qiandeng Ancient Town: The hometown of Gu Yanwu, located at 47 Hedong Street, Qiandeng Town, Kunshan. You can stroll on the stone-paved roads and climb Qin Peak Tower for a full view. Open from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Bacheng Old Street: The birthplace of Kunqu Opera and a filming location for the TV drama "Northward," located in Bacheng Town, Kunshan. The old street is quaint and quiet, with intangible cultural heritage workshops to visit. Open all day.
Food Recommendations
- Aozao Noodles: A signature Kunshan dish with thin white noodles and bright red broth, available in flavors like red soup fish noodles and white soup braised duck noodles. Recommended to try at Aozao Restaurant, 858 Zhongshan Road, Kunshan.
- Wansan Pork Knuckle: A specialty dish of Zhouzhuang Ancient Town, with a reddish-brown color, rich but not greasy. Available at Shenting Restaurant in Zhouzhuang Ancient Town.
- Zhengyi Qing Tuan: A traditional snack from Zhengyi Old Street, made with mugwort juice and glutinous rice flour. The soft outer skin has fillings such as red bean paste and sesame.
Accommodation Recommendations
- Fairmont Yangcheng Lake Hotel: Located at 3668 Ma'anshan West Road, offering a private natural oxygen bar by Yangcheng Lake. The lake-view rooms have wide views, ideal for family trips. The hotel hosts outdoor pool parties and other activities.
- Kunshan Golden Eagle Shangmei Hotel: Located at 199 Zhujiang Middle Road, Development Zone, with high-floor rooms overlooking the cityscape. Panoramic rooms offer excellent night views.
- Zhouzhuang Huajiantang: Converted from an ancient residence, located at 1 Zhongshi Street, Zhouzhuang Town. The courtyard has a Jiangnan style, and the lanterns at night create a very romantic atmosphere.