[2025 Suzhou Stay] Travel Guide for Scholar Shan Tang Hotel (Updated Mar)

Hi everyone 👋, Suzhou is a poetic and gentle place. I just came back from there and can't wait to share this super detailed guide with you! 🌆 Suzhou Impressions Suzhou is like a light ink painting, full of the gentleness and beauty of the Jiangnan water town. Here, you can find exquisite gardens, pavilions, rockeries, ponds, and trees, all arranged in a picturesque way. Every step is a scene, like a fairyland. There is also the ancient canal, with boats coming and going, and white walls and black tiles on both sides, showing the charm of Jiangnan. There are also ancient streets, stone roads, and old shops, all exuding the breath of time. In Suzhou, you can feel that time seems to slow down, immersing you in endless poetry. 🚗 Transportation Guide ✈️ Plane: You can choose to arrive at Sunan Shuofang International Airport, where there are buses to Suzhou, which are convenient and fast. You can also go to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport first, and then take the high-speed train to Suzhou. There are many trains, and it takes about half an hour to reach Suzhou Station or Suzhou North Station. 🚄 High-speed train: Suzhou Station is located in the city center, with convenient transportation and close to many attractions. Suzhou North Station is relatively far, but there are also subways and buses connecting to the city center, making travel convenient. The main transportation in the city is subway and bus, and you can also use mobile payment for transportation. Most attractions are easily accessible. 🗺 Travel Route Day 1: Humble Administrator's Garden - Suzhou Museum - Pingjiang Road Day 2: Tiger Hill - Shantang Street - Eslite Bookstore (near Jinji Lake) Day 3: Hanshan Temple - Fengqiao Scenic Area - Lingering Garden 🌟 Must-visit Attractions 1. Humble Administrator's Garden: A representative of Jiangnan classical gardens, the whole garden is centered around water, surrounded by rockeries and exquisite courtyard buildings, with lush flowers and trees. Every step is a scene, and every place shows the ingenuity of the ancients. Walking in it, you feel like you have traveled back to ancient times, feeling the tranquility and elegance. 2. Suzhou Museum: Designed by I.M. Pei, it perfectly combines modern architecture with classical gardens. The museum has a rich collection of diverse exhibits, allowing you to appreciate exquisite cultural relics and unique architectural beauty. It is a feast of art and culture, and a great place for photography. 3. Pingjiang Road: An old street full of life, built along the river, with various specialty shops, traditional food, and Pingtan performances. Here, you can slow down, visit small shops, listen to Pingtan, and feel the leisurely and comfortable life of Jiangnan water town. 4. Tiger Hill: Known as the "No. 1 Scenic Spot in Wuzhong", the ancient and elegant Tiger Hill Pagoda is tilted but stands firm, which is very magical. The surrounding mountain scenery is tranquil, and there are attractions such as Sword Pond, full of historical and cultural heritage, making people linger. 5. Shantang Street: "Seven Li Shantang, half of the pond is three and a half li", the night view here is a must-see. The ancient canal is brightly lit on both sides, with boats shuttling back and forth, and the shops on the street are dazzling. Enjoying food and the night view, you feel like you are in paradise. 6. Hanshan Temple: Famous for the Tang Dynasty poet Zhang Ji's "Night Mooring at Maple Bridge", the ancient bell in the temple is melodious, and the incense is curling. Here, you can feel the tranquility and peace of Zen, listen to the echoes of history, and find a moment of peace for your soul. 7. Lingering Garden: As famous as the Humble Administrator's Garden, the garden has exquisite architecture and ingenious spatial layout, known for its superb architectural art. The architectural elements such as leaking windows, corridors, and pavilions complement each other, and the scenery is beautiful, showing the beauty of Jiangnan gardens. Practical Guide 🎫 Tickets: Attractions such as Humble Administrator's Garden, Tiger Hill, Hanshan Temple, and Lingering Garden require tickets, which can be purchased online in advance for a discount. Suzhou Museum is free, but requires advance reservation. Plan your time reasonably to avoid peak crowds. 🕙 Opening Hours: The opening hours of each attraction are different, generally opening at 8 or 9 am and stopping entry around 4 or 5 pm. The specific time may be adjusted according to the season and holidays. It is recommended to check the official website or call in advance. 🍱 Food Recommendations 1. Su-style Soup Noodles: The noodles are thin and chewy, and the soup is rich and delicious, with various toppings such as braised meat, fried fish, and shrimp. Take a sip of hot soup, then pick up the noodles, and pair them with the tender toppings. Every bite is intoxicating. A bowl for breakfast warms your heart and stomach. 2. Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish: Beautifully shaped, like a squirrel. The mandarin fish is fried to be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, topped with sweet and sour sauce. The fish is tender and juicy, with a sweet and sour taste and rich texture. It is one of the best traditional Suzhou dishes, leaving a lasting impression. 3. Sweet Porridge: Soft and sweet, the porridge is thick, and the sugar-preserved red bean paste is delicate and sweet. The two are mixed together, sweet but not greasy, with a fragrant aroma. It is a classic Suzhou dessert, full of happiness when eaten. 4. Pan-fried Buns: Crispy on the outside, golden on the bottom, and juicy inside. Take a bite, and the soup overflows. The meat filling is delicious, and sprinkled with green onions and sesame seeds, the taste is fragrant. It is a common delicious snack on the streets of Suzhou, and must be eaten hot. 5. Su-style Pastries: There are many types, such as plum blossom cake, begonia cake, and victory cake. They are exquisitely shaped, soft and glutinous, sweet but not greasy. Each one has a strong Jiangnan style, making them an excellent choice for souvenirs, and also very enjoyable to eat. 🏨 Hotel Accommodation 1. Hotels near Pingjiang Road: Recommended Suzhou Wenchuang Huajiantang · Tanhua Mansion, located in the historical district of Pingjiang Road, transformed from an old house, retaining the architectural style of Jiangnan water town. The environment is quiet, the rooms are antique, well-equipped, and the service is attentive, allowing you to deeply experience the charm of Jiangnan water town. 2. Hotels near Shantang Street: Suzhou Shantang Shuxiang Mansion Hotel is located in the Shantang Street Scenic Area, with a superior location and convenient transportation. The hotel is elegantly decorated, with spacious and comfortable rooms. Some rooms offer views of the ancient canal, and you can hear the sound of flowing water at night, which is very pleasant. 3. Hotels near Jinji Lake: Suzhou InterContinental Hotel is located by Jinji Lake, with developed commerce and beautiful scenery. The hotel rooms have a wide view, overlooking the beautiful scenery of Jinji Lake. The facilities are luxurious, the service is excellent, and there are facilities such as a gym and swimming pool, allowing you to enjoy a comfortable leisure time while traveling. 💡 Tips 1. The weather in Suzhou is changeable, so remember to bring rain gear and sunscreen. 2. The scenery in the gardens is beautiful, but there are many tourists. Pay attention to protecting cultural relics and the environment, and do not touch or climb at will. 3. When tasting Su-style food, the taste is sweet. If you don't like sweet food, you can inform the waiter in advance to adjust the taste. The beauty of Suzhou needs to be savored carefully. Come and have an impromptu trip to Suzhou! 💕

Suzhou Scholars Hotel Pingjiangfu is located at No. 88 Shantang Street, Gusu District, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province.  History and Culture The hotel was formerly the Gangzhou Guild Hall, which has a history of more than 330 years. It retains the architectural features of guild halls from the Ming and Qing dynasties and is a model of Ming and Qing guild hall architecture on Shantang Street. Location and Transportation - Nearby attractions: The hotel is separated from the ancient street of Shantang by a wall and is close to Suzhou Museum, Humble Administrator's Garden, Lion Grove Garden, and Tiger Hill Scenic Area. It is also close to Shilu Commercial Street. - Transportation: The hotel is about a 460-meter walk from Exit 1 of Shantang Street Subway Station, 2.19 km from Suzhou Railway Station, and about a 6-minute drive. Hotel Facilities - Guestrooms: The guestroom area consists of several villas, each with two floors in a Chinese style. Each bedroom has a separate bathroom, and toiletries are from L'Occitane. - Dining: There are six Chinese-style private dining rooms. Taoranxuan Chinese Restaurant was rated No. 1 on the Shantang Street Local Cuisine Environment List. Guests can enjoy authentic Suzhou cuisine and Suzhou Pingtan. Breakfast includes Suzhou-style soup noodles with "five-piece" soup base and other specialties. - Leisure: The hotel has garden landscapes with small bridges, flowing water, pavilions, and towers, as well as a 24-hour book bar transformed from the courtyard of the old mansion.

|A Suzhou-style garden hotel hidden in Shantang Street. I have to give my boyfriend a big thumbs up this time! He really knows how to choose a hotel! Who would have thought that there would be such a quiet hotel in the bustling Shantang Street~ As soon as I entered the door, I was fascinated by the scenery inside, pavilions, small bridges and flowing water, winding paths leading to secluded spots, every corner is as beautiful as a painting, I really can't help but exclaim the unique beauty of Chinese style The privacy of the guest room is super good, every decoration is hidden with Chinese romance, the toiletries are also well-known brands, there is also a small living room in the room, the whole room is very complete Because it happened to be meal time, we also had lunch in the hotel restaurant. The special drunken crab was particularly flavorful, and the black pepper secret beef was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Everything was delicious!

Shantang Street, this niche garden, is picturesque! No crowds! Jiangnan dreams again of misty rain, Shantang steps into seven miles. When traveling to Suzhou, 'Suzhou's First Famous Street' Shantang Street is a must-visit! Small bridges and flowing water💦, white walls and black tiles, boats weaving through The buildings on both sides take you into a Jiangnan dream🍃 - 🏠Shantang Shuxiang Mansion: Discovered a super beautiful garden on Shantang Street Every step is a scene: flower windows, rockeries, small bridges and flowing water, pavilions and towers... There is also a mist rising from the water surface It feels like a private garden of a wealthy family! - Although it's in a bustling area, the courtyard is very quiet You can dine and stay🥧 Each room is a standalone building with two floors and a courtyard! Suzhou-style snacks🥧 and afternoon tea🫖 will be delivered directly to the room👍 - The courtyard of the classical garden is really beautiful! I brought a set of Hanfu and took photos here📷 Every corner is photogenic! No need to go out and squeeze with the crowd😄 So happy

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Visiting Suzhou Shantang Street, I chose to stay in the scenic area to conveniently avoid the crowds for photography in the morning and evening. The Shantang Residence is the best garden hotel in the area, with a nearby parking lot; navigate to the Baijianlou parking lot. The rooms are villa-type, with two floors separated independently, and include a balcony. Despite being on the bustling Shantang Street, the hotel is very quiet inside.

Shantang Shuxiang Mansion boasts a prime location, designed with the distinctive features of a Suzhou private garden, and an elegant and exquisite layout. It features small bridges over flowing water, pavilions, and towers. With every step, the scenery changes, offering tranquility and comfort. The hotel rooms are fully equipped with facilities, and comfortable bedding ensures that guests enjoy a sound sleep during their journey. The hotel also has six dining boxes, one meeting room, a Chinese restaurant, and the Sanwei Bookhouse, among others. Staying here, you can enjoy the leisurely pleasure of drinking tea and listening to music within the mansion, experiencing the authentic Suzhou lifestyle. The hotel retains much of its original architectural features, filled with the elegant charm of antiquity. During leisure time, guests can stroll through the hotel courtyard and enjoy the beauty of Suzhou-style scenery.