2 Days 1 Night in Changshu! Check in at Yushan City Wall, Shanghu Bamboo Raft, and Red Bean Heart Island

In Jiangnan, there’s a seriously underrated small city—Changshu! No crowds of tourists, just ancient blue bricks and towers, green lakes and mountains, and the lively atmosphere of the city. Planning a trip soon? Save this tested popular itinerary👇

🌳 Day 1: Ancient Charm of Mountains and Waters · Oxygen Boosting Tour
1. Yushan Hiking
- Free mountain climbing! A local hidden natural oxygen bar. Climb to the top of Jianmen Scenic Area (30 RMB ticket) to overlook the entire Shanghu Lake, breathtakingly beautiful⛰️.
- Take the “Eagle Line” to check in at the popular rock and Wanghu Pavilion, passing through the bamboo sea for a super healing experience.
- Don’t miss a bowl of mushroom oil noodles (35 RMB) at Xingfu Temple, incredibly fresh! The temple is surrounded by ancient towering trees, full of Zen atmosphere.

2. Boating on Shanghu Lake
- Head straight to Shanghu in the afternoon, drift on bamboo rafts through lotus ponds (summer only), or enjoy a night tour with lights, where light and shadow intertwine like entering a fairyland.
- If you miss the March peony season, don’t regret it—there’s a water forest and Feixiong Park with cute pet interactions, perfect for kids to play all day.

💖 Day 2: Trending Heartbeat · Romantic Blast
1. Red Bean Villa for Thrills
- The “Little Red Waist” 66-meter-high tower is a must! The 1314-meter glass water slide🌊 (60 RMB) twists and turns for a refreshing splash, and bungee jumpers can directly challenge the 230 RMB jump.
- Confession Heart Island with a giant heart-shaped lake + Red Bridge Castle, perfect for couples’ photos!📸 Stay at the boat dock guesthouse and lie back to watch the stars, full of romance.

2. Nostalgic Time at Shajiabang
- Ride a rowboat through the reed maze (80 RMB), listen to the boatwoman humming tunes, and the aromatic island’s purple flower sea from May to November is stunningly beautiful.

🍜 【Changshu Taste Explosion】
- Breakfast: Songsheng Cake Shop’s three-color strip cake🍡, Luji stinky tofu chicken bones, crispy and fragrant!
- Main meals: Buy stewed chicken at Nanmen Tan Market, salty and flavorful; Baozi vermicelli pot for 15 RMB fills you up.
- Coffee lovers: Lanyuan Juwen Creative Park’s old factory coffee shop☕, industrial style + Yushan backdrop, perfect for photos!

📌 Practical Tips
- Transportation: 1.5 hours by car from Shanghai/Suzhou, or take high-speed rail to “Changshu Station” then transfer to bus line 6.
- Accommodation: “Huajianfu” Jiangnan courtyard by Shanghu Lake (500+ RMB/night), or Red Bean Villa boat house (book early!).
- Free entry perks: Fangta Garden and Zengzhao Garden are free to visit, wear Hanfu for ancient-style photos!

The beauty of Changshu lies in slowing down🌿: touch Ming Dynasty bricks on the city wall, wait for a sunset in the reed marsh, bite into sticky rice cakes on old streets... The soul of Jiangnan is not in crowded attractions but in these understated daily moments.