Live Your Best Lives
There is heaven above and Suzhou and Hangzhou below. In the bustling city of Suzhou, the gardens here are permeated with the elegance and grandeur of classics, and the small bridges here reveal the gentleness of Jiangnan women.
Suzhou possesses a distinctly different urban atmosphere from Hangzhou, boasting a more Jiangnan-style charm. Nestled by the water, Suzhou boasts a leisurely pace of life. In the quiet of the night, strolling the streets to the sound of folk music offers a tangible experience of life and a rich sense of well-being.
This is why I want to explore Suzhou. Although life is hard, I keep moving forward and checking in to unlock one mysterious and charming city after another. This is an addictive thing. If you don’t believe me, why don’t you try it?
Tips:
Location: Near No. 4 Dinghuisi Lane, Gusu District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province
Transportation: Subway: Take Metro Line 1 to Lindun Road Station and walk 630 meters to the destination
Public transportation:
Shuangta Station: Bus No. 2, Bus No. 8, Bus No. 40 East Line, Bus No. 89, Bus No. 112, Bus No. 146, Bus No. 178, Bus No. 202, Bus No. 204, etc.
Xiangmen Station: Bus No. 2, No. 9, No. 32, No. 40, No. 60, No. 89, No. 112, No. 146, No. 178, etc.
West Station of Shizi Street Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University: Bus No. 8, Bus No. 40 East Line, Bus No. 200 South Line, Bus No. 204, Bus No. 529, etc.
What attracts me most in a city is never its historical sites or commercial centers, but its vegetable markets. — Chen Xiaoqing, director of A Bite of China
Walk straight down Dinghuisi Lane, skirting the Guantaiwei Bridge next to Yejia Lane, to reach Shuangta Market. Here, you can fully experience the vibrant atmosphere of Suzhou's bygone days. This internet-famous market is located in the heart of Suzhou's Old Town, near Pingjiang Road and Guanqian Street.
A city’s vegetable market can truly reflect the city’s urban level and the warmth and warmth of its people.
Today's Twin Towers Market has become a place where young people pursue fashion. Its down-to-earth atmosphere carries the city's creative aesthetics. After the renovation, the Twin Towers Market shows everyone a picture of human relations, historical heritage, and the vitality of family life.
The interior and exterior designs have been fully upgraded, and the overall look of the vegetable market has been completely renewed. However, the familiar shouts and the lively atmosphere of the vegetable market can still be felt, and what it brings to the people is still the most familiar life.
After walking around for a few times, I found that this clean and tidy vegetable market, in addition to meeting the daily needs of Suzhou residents, also incorporates literary cafes, fruit shops, bookstores, flower shops, and still retains the convenient traditional skills of making keys, cutting and repairing clothes. This big transformation has made Shuangta Market no longer the ordinary vegetable market it used to be, and it has transformed into a new internet celebrity check-in spot in Suzhou.
According to the news, a young creative team from Suzhou called "Kanshen Curatorship" was invited to carry out artistic planning for the Shuangta Market.
Whether it's appearance, innovation or service, it's superb, because in addition to the overall trendy exterior design, the interior design is also quite interesting, such as the stall stand figures converted from famous paintings that can be seen everywhere in the vegetable market, and there is a vegetable market experiment opposite the cafe.
Shuangta Market reopened on December 17, 2019. Despite the renovations, stall fees and vegetable prices remain the same as before the renovations! They didn't raise prices unnecessarily just because of the renovations, which is really commendable!
In conspicuous places in the vegetable market, texts about food and life are posted to encourage everyone to go to the vegetable market, find the joy and satisfaction brought by food after satisfying their stomachs, get spiritual comfort from food, store nutrition for every moment that may be discouraging, and get a real sense of happiness in every bite of delicious food.
Only those who have truly visited the Twin Pagodas can truly appreciate how the mundane world of art can be integrated. This perfectly embodied aesthetic concept is embodied in the Twin Pagodas Market, which has become a popular online destination in Suzhou, attracting not only locals but also countless tourists eager to explore its charm! The Twin Pagodas Market is a landmark, and almost everyone who comes here will take a photo. It's worth noting that you have to queue to get a good shot.
Tips:
Admission: Free
transportation:
Subway: Take Line 1 to Xiangmen Station or Lindun Road Station, then walk 300 meters to the south end of Pingjiang Road.
Bus: Take bus No. 301 or 305 and get off at Pingjiang Road Station
Opening hours: All day
During the Song Dynasty, Suzhou was called "Pingjiang", which is the origin of the name Pingjiang Road. Pingjiang Road is a historical old street in Suzhou, a small road along the river called Pingjiang River.
Pingjiang Road Historic District is the most intact area in the ancient city of Suzhou. It can be called a microcosm of the ancient city. It still maintains infinite vitality and has attracted countless Chinese and foreign tourists to come here.
When you arrive in Suzhou, you'll find that every home is by the river. The Forbidden City has little idle space, but many water lanes and small bridges. This is a beautiful sentence used to describe Suzhou.
Pingjiang Road can satisfy all your fantasies about the Jiangnan water town. Pingjiang Road has been alive in people's hearts for a long time.
If you're in Suzhou, a city steeped in the unique charm of the Jiangnan region, a visit to its historic district is a must. I love the tranquility of this area, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Even in ordinary days, all the little details are beautiful. Here, you need to walk slowly, calm down, and savor the slow pace of time.
There are all kinds of shops here, all selling local specialties. If you are interested, you can visit them all and learn about the story of Suzhou.
It's best to avoid holidays when visiting Pingjiang Road to avoid the crowds. There are fewer people in the morning, and the air is fresher. You can also go in the afternoon and enjoy the beautiful night view after dark.
The area surrounding the Pingjiang Road Historic District is filled with typical Jiangnan scenery of small bridges and flowing water. The old houses in the old district are side by side with the river. There are many stone tables, stone bridges and stone chairs along the way, so you can sit down and take a rest if you are tired of walking around.
The old houses on the roadside have been turned into rows of shops, including stores, cafes, B&Bs, and the very famous Cat's Castle in the Sky. You can stroll around, shop, and eat, and the experience of walking along the way is quite good.
West Lake boasts West Lake Longjing tea, Kaihua boasts Longding tea, Anji boasts Anji white tea, and Suzhou boasts the renowned Chinese tea Biluochun. Biluochun is a traditional Chinese tea, one of China's top ten famous teas. It belongs to the green tea category and boasts a history of over 1,000 years. Biluochun is produced in the East and West Dongting Mountains of Taihu Lake in Wuxian County, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province (present-day Wuzhong District, Suzhou), hence the name "Dongting Biluochun."
The atmosphere here is permeated with the allure of a Jiangnan water town. If you're looking for a refreshing experience at a local Suzhou-style teahouse, as this is the birthplace of Biluochun tea, you'll find it truly captivating. Take in the sweet aroma of tea, sit by the river, gaze out the window at the flowing water and the bustling crowds, and you'll find a moment of tranquility that can only be found here.
Tips:
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:00)
Admission: Free
Address: No. 204, Northeast Street, Suzhou
Founded in 1960, Suzhou Museum is a local historical and artistic museum. It occupies the site of the palace of Li Xiucheng, the loyal prince of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, a designated National Key Cultural Relic Protection Site. A new building, designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei, was completed in October 2006.
This is opposite the gate of Suzhou Museum. Suzhou-style buildings stand here, as if reminding tourists that this is Suzhou as soon as they step out.
It is closed on Mondays. You need to make an appointment at least 7 days in advance on the Suzhou Museum's official website, official account and Suzhou Tourism official account. I made an appointment on the Suzhou Museum official account. After making an appointment, you can queue up directly to enter. It is very difficult to enter without an appointment because there are so many people.
This is the main entrance to the Suzhou Museum. On weekdays, you have to make an appointment and queue up with your ID card to enter.
The designer is the famous world-class architect I.M. Pei. Just looking at the designer is enough to attract the attention of too many architecture enthusiasts and pseudo-art lovers like me.
The Su-style sentiment of green tiles and white walls, and the garden landscape composed of fake stones and rockery, so harmoniously form a vivid painting, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the painting and experience the master's exquisite masterpiece, as if all this is fake. It's simply amazing.
I believe that everyone comes here because of its reputation. The entire museum complex reflects the unique scenery of the Jiangnan region in a modern collective shape. It is a comprehensive museum that combines a modern venue, ancient buildings and innovative landscape gardens. You deserve it.
The Suzhou Museum certainly didn't disappoint. Neighboring Prince Zhong's Mansion, and adjoining the Humble Administrator's Garden, Lion Grove Garden, and Lingering Garden, the museum's overall design, with its gray tiles and white walls, exudes a distinctly understated aesthetic. Its blend of exceptional garden art and modern style creates a comfortable and pleasing experience.
Almost all tourists who come here will take photos for a while. It feels like being in a splash-ink landscape painting. It is so easy to capture a simple and high-end feeling.
Tips:
Admission: Free
Opening hours: All day
transportation:
Subway: Take Line 2 to Shantang Street Station, Exit 4, and walk 200 meters.
Shantang Old Street is 360 meters long. Although it is only one tenth of Qili Shantang, it is the essence of Shantang and is known as the epitome of old Suzhou and a window into Wu culture.
Shantang Street is a bustling ancient town during the day, perfect for taking photos. At night, the scenery is breathtaking, with boat rides available. I've heard there are even opera performances. The brightly lit streets at night are a popular destination for photography enthusiasts.
As the folk song goes, "There's heaven above, and Suzhou and Hangzhou below. Hangzhou has West Lake, Suzhou has Shantang. Two beautiful places, each with its own limitless beauty."
Shantang Street is located in the northwest of the ancient city of Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. It extends from Changmen, "a place of wealth and elegance in the world" in the east to Tiger Hill, "the most famous scenic spot in Wuzhong" in the west. It is about 3,600 meters long, about 7 li, so it is called "Seven Li Shantang to Tiger Hill".
The bluestone pavement of the ancient street is very valuable. If you travel on a rainy day, you can use the rainwater on the bluestone slabs to take pictures of the reflections of passers-by walking on the street, which are also very soulful photos.
I love the white walls and gray tiles here, paired with a variety of greenery, creating a fresh, refined, and elegant atmosphere. Wooden windows against the white walls, rows of unique shops, and vibrant bars—every corner is a key component of the misty Jiangnan city. Large red lanterns hang high, reflecting the flowing water and small bridges, a quintessential Suzhou waterway.
Shantang Street is one of the attractions that can reflect the characteristics of Suzhou. Although it is now more commercialized and full of shops, and almost no original residents live here, the things sold here are still very unique to Suzhou. There are many food shops and the prices are relatively normal. If you are in the mood, you can also take a boat ride on the river next to it and experience the flavor of the Jiangnan water town.
Shantang Street is a popular shopping street with a plethora of shops and, of course, crowds of people. The small bridges and streets are crowded, so be careful where you step. Because there were so many people this time, I took very few photos; I was just strolling around.
Shantang Street, with its numerous canals and bridges, fully reflects the characteristics of Suzhou, a city of water. Its canals meander parallel to each other, stretching for seven miles to Tiger Hill.
Most of the ancient buildings on both sides of Shantang Street are from the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China period. They are a group of buildings consisting of several floors and several courtyards, with the floors being the vertical direction and the courtyards being the horizontal direction.
In the first chapter of Dream of the Red Chamber, Cao Xueqin described the area around Changmen and Shantang as "the most prosperous and elegant place in the world."
Tips for taking photos:
If you want to take photos that are not just tourist photos, remember to find ways to avoid the crowds. You can go to places with fewer people, or try different angles. You may get unexpected surprises!
Tips:
Location: No. 88 Heyan Street
Love Letter is located near Beisi Pagoda in the heart of Suzhou's Old Town district. It's within walking distance of the Suzhou Museum, Humble Administrator's Garden, Lion Grove Garden, Pingjiang Historical and Cultural District, and Guanqian Street. It's also 100 meters from the Beisi Pagoda subway station, making it convenient for commuting.
The B&B is hidden in Heyan Street, a traditional residential area with unique Suzhou characteristics. It has a brick and wood structure, white walls and black tiles, and retains the original appearance of the old house. The owner converted the whole house into a B&B, and added a modern and simple Japanese style design during the renovation, allowing guests to truly experience Suzhou folk culture and down-to-earth urban life. When you come to Suzhou, you will feel like a Suzhou person.
The Love Letter B&B has two floors and an open-air balcony outside the room. The balcony is particularly beautiful when the lights are turned on at night.
During the day, you can also enjoy the sun and the sunset. Not far away is Guanqian Street, where you can enjoy the authentic food and taste all the delicious food in Suzhou.
The boss is a young photographer. The first floor is his office and coffee and beverage area. There are also several hangers next to the stairs filled with all kinds of new clothes, which are provided to tenants in need. You can take photos in the style you want. They even provide shoes, all kinds of good-looking shoes.
The most important thing is that the boss contacted me before I checked in. It happened to rain and he asked if I had an umbrella. All the details made me feel like I was welcoming family, which was super heartwarming.
Suzhou snacks are considered one of the four major regional snacks in China's snack culture. Small, delicate, and sweet, they're so delicious they'll make you yearn for them.
Suzhou has been a relatively prosperous place since ancient times. With full granaries, people naturally don't have to worry about how to fill their stomachs. As a result, people began to pay attention to the appearance of food.
When you visit Suzhou, you won't want to miss out on the wonderful moments here. The unforgettable flavors etched in your memory are largely the result of Suzhou's countless delicious dishes. Discover the flavors of a new restaurant in old Suzhou—Peach Blossom Spring—and discover the aromas and flavors of your dreams.
"Peach Blossom Spring" comes from Tao Yuanming's article "Peach Blossom Spring" in the Eastern Jin Dynasty of my country. The beautiful dream of Peach Blossom Spring presented by Tao Yuanming in the article has long become the most beautiful and peaceful utopia in the minds of Chinese people from ancient times to the present.
As a catering brand, "Peach Blossom Spring" uses food to restore the delicacies in the memories of people from various regions, attracting foreign tourists to smell the fragrance and taste the flavors in their dreams.
This restaurant is a chain, and we ate at the one across from the South Bus Station. The dishes are very local, including Eight Immortals Wontons, Pork Floss and Sauce Pork Bones, Soft-Boiled Chicken Head Rice, Red Bean and Sugar Porridge, and Lao Pingjiang Cooked and Drunken Crab. Every time I ate them, I was chasing after the unforgettable flavors in my memory...
After eating and drinking at Peach Blossom Spring, I took a taxi to Shuangta Market. It cost only a dozen yuan by Didi, which was quite close. In this case, my stomach was full, so in addition to taking some photos, I couldn't help but buy plum cakes from the most popular team.
In addition to plum blossom cake, there is also crabapple cake, but the best-selling one is plum blossom cake, I don't know why. It is filled with red bean paste, and overall it is very sweet, nothing special, but it is worth a try.
There are other snacks at Shuangta Market, such as pan-fried dumplings (sheng jian bao) and soup dumplings (guan tang bao), which are both Suzhou-style and slightly sweet. There are also sweet sweet dumplings with osmanthus and red bean dumplings. There is also tofu pudding, which is definitely salty, but you can add sugar to it if you want.
I took a walk along Guanqian Street and had some soup dumplings and Suzhou specialty food, fermented rice with chicken heads. I have to say, it was my first time trying the rice with chicken heads, and it was very nice.
The texture is neither soft nor hard, but very chewy, which I like. However, the chicken head rice is very expensive, 18 yuan per portion, and there is only a little bit in it.
On Pingjiang Road, you can eat so much that you will doubt your life, because there are very famous snack shops along the way.
Weiji Osmanthus Cake, 6 pieces for 15 yuan. I was afraid it wouldn't taste good at first, so I only bought half a portion. I found it was quite good, with a sweet osmanthus flavor. It was an unexpected surprise.
The meaning of travel as I imagine it to me is that it can help me end the past and start the future.
It’s not about how many trophies I gained, how many beautiful photos I took, or how many scenic spots I checked in along the way, but whether I tried things I had never tried before, experienced moments that made my heart beat faster, and discovered another self away from the familiar place of life, and then returned again with a different state of mind. This is the original intention of my desire to travel around the world, a process of constantly exploring and understanding myself through walking.
