Weekend Trip in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai | 5-Day Suzhou and Haining Walking Tour Pitfall Avoidance Guide

Daily Walking Itinerary🔥

🌟Day 1️⃣: Suzhou Gardens Walking Day🌟
⛩️Deep Visit to the Humble Administrator's Garden
- The top of China's Four Great Gardens! A textbook-level pinnacle of Suzhou-style gardens✔️
- 📸Photo hotspots: Jian Shan Lou balcony, Xiao Fei Hong corridor bridge (remember to wear Hanfu!)
- 🎫Tickets: 70 RMB (peak season) / 50 RMB (off-season)
- 🕰️Opening hours: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM

🚶‍♀️Pingjiang Road Food and Shopping Guide
- The most authentic old street in Jiangnan🍃
- 🥤Must-try: Peach Blossom Spring (popular Biluochun milk tea)
- 🛍️Creative recommendation: Cat’s Sky City concept bookstore

🚄Evening Transfer Tips:
- Suzhou North Station → Haining West Station 💰Ticket price starts at 38 RMB
- Recommended to buy the 6:00 PM train (1.5-hour journey)

💰Day 2️⃣: Money-saving Tide Watching Day💰
🎫Ticket buying tips:
Salt Officer Tide Music City + Tide Watching Park combo ticket only 75 RMB! Save 15 RMB~

📍Salt Officer Tide Music City
⏰Hours:
Summer (May 1 - Oct 7) 8:30 AM - 10:30 PM 🌙
Winter (Oct 8 - Apr 30) 8:30 AM - 10:00 PM 🧣
🎭Hidden activities:
1. 2:00 PM / 4:00 PM Shadow Puppetry (Intangible cultural heritage!)
2. Free ancient costume experience (perfect for photos to blow up your social feed💥)
3. 7:30 PM Light Show (so dreamy it’ll make you cry😭)

📍Tide Watching Park
❗️Must-see reminders:
- Tide times vary daily⏳ (check mini-program "Qiantang Tide")
- Best view is in the middle of the three bridges👑
- Prepare a waterproof phone pouch📱 (waves really splash onto the shore!)

🏨Accommodation recommendation:
✨Haining Kaiyuan Mingdu Hotel
- Prime location💯 10-minute walk to tide watching spot
- Around 300 RMB per person including breakfast (with popular scenic window!)
- Rooftop pool + free parking🚗

🍜Haining Food Trio:
1️⃣ Zhu Wanchang Pastry (130-year-old brand!)
🍪Must-buy: Pine Nut Cake (sweet but not greasy!)
2️⃣ Southern Grand Restaurant (local secret)
🦆Signature dish: Secret Sauce Duck (rich sauce flavor)
3️⃣ Chaoxiang Pavilion (top-notch river delicacies)
🐟Seasonal recommendation: Hairtail Claypot Rice (limited to March-April)

💡Practical Tips:
🚅High-speed rail: Weekend tickets are tight! Book 3 days in advance
👟Outfit: Waterproof jacket + comfortable sneakers (20,000 steps daily!)
🌊Tide watching: Biggest tides around the 18th day of lunar month (arrive 1 hour early to secure spot)
📅Best season: May to September (but summer vacation is crowded...)

This itinerary really covers Suzhou gardens and Haining tide culture all in one! Ladies, let’s go all out👊