Day 1 Suzhou → Cixi → Suzhou
07:00
Meeting point 1: 07:00-07:10, intersection of Jintang Street and Zongguantang Road (near Exit 6 of Pinghe Road Station on Metro Line 2. Self-driving cars can park at Yaosheng Building, capped at 20 yuan/day)
Meeting Point 2: 07:30-07:35, Suzhou City Toll Station (G1522 Changtai Expressway Entrance), 200 meters south, waiting for the bus under the elevated road (if you drive, you can park at Huadong Decoration City, the maximum fee is about 25 yuan/day)
The team leader on the bus introduced the team members to each other, explained the itinerary and played interactive games, and they laughed and chatted all the way to their destination.
10:30
We arrived at the "Kaoluo Mountain" hiking point. This is a key section of the National Fitness Trail, offering beautiful scenery, fresh air, and the sound of a gurgling stream, creating a relaxing and enjoyable experience. After we passed the waterfall, the trail mostly continued along a gentle ridgeline dirt road, making it very suitable for beginners.
The total length of the hike is about 6km, with a total ascent of 400 meters and an altitude of 435 meters. It is very relaxing with mountains and water along the way.
After the hike, we headed to Minghe Ancient Town for lunch.
13:00
At noon, enjoy a free lunch in Minghe Ancient Town. Minghe is a thousand-year-old town, rich in natural resources and blessed with outstanding people. We strolled through the town, basking in the sun and experiencing its tranquility and pristine nature. A major feature of the town is its abundance of street food. Look for the famous rice cake dumplings and rat candy balls; they are definitely worth a try.
3:00 PM
Arriving at the Shanglin Lake Celadon Cultural Heritage Park, we followed the museum's guides as they delved into the history of Yue Kiln celadon in Cixi. Yue Kiln celadon dates back to the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties. Experts confirm that the Shanglin Lake Yue Kiln was the first "official kiln" in Chinese history, and the earliest mature celadon was successfully fired in its dragon kilns. Yue Kiln celadon is therefore known as the "mother porcelain." This is not only the birthplace of Chinese celadon culture but also the starting point of the "Maritime Ceramic Road." (Note: Tour times vary depending on shifts, so morning and afternoon schedules may vary. This will be determined by the tour leader and will be determined based on availability.)
4:30 PM
Return in due time.
7:00 PM
Returning to the starting point in Suzhou City, we were reluctant to leave and agreed to see each other again.
