Xishan Island Self-Driving Travel Guide

Xishan Island is like a pearl💎 in the heart of Taihu Lake
Nicknames: Suzhou's Little Kamakura, Suzhou's Little Erhai...
An ideal destination for lakeside self-driving🚙
The island isn't large, but without proper planning, you're bound to hit pitfalls❗️

🚗 Recommended self-driving route around the island:
LIM Cafe ➡ Happy Farm ➡ Linwu Cave ➡ Shigong Mountain ➡ Mingyue Bay Ancient Village ➡ Piaomiao Peak ➡ Jingshan Viewing Platform ➡ Lake & Cafe ➡ Hengshan Island ➡ Dongcun Ancient Village ➡ Yinshan Island
✅ You don't have to visit every spot listed above—choose according to your preferences
✅ This is a clockwise route starting from the east side, as the western part offers the best sunset views towards the end of the day
✅ Most attractions require about half an hour to explore. Some charge admission🎫, while others may not offer great value for money🤫

❤️ Attraction Overview
1️⃣ LIM CAFE: Located right by the bridge you must cross to enter the island, its unique and eye-catching design makes it perfect for photos📷. The coffee☕️ and pastries🥧 are quite good, with excellent views of the lake and bridge—ideal for relaxing.
2️⃣ Happy Farm: Similar to many other farms; can be skipped if not traveling with kids.
3️⃣ Linwu Cave: Features karst formations with light and sound effects, though much smaller than caves in Anji. Admission is 50, not great value.
4️⃣ Shigong Mountain: A low mountain surrounded by water on three sides, with some cultural relics. Offers great views of the lake to the southeast. Admission🎫50, not great value.
5️⃣ Mingyue Bay Ancient Village: Famous for a thousand-year-old tree at the village entrance. Most attractions are near the entrance, while the village itself is ordinary. The ancient dock is a popular photo spot. Admission🎫40 (32 online). Beware of locals offering cheap entry or meals—they only get you into the village, not the dock, which requires a ticket.
6️⃣ Piaomiao Peak: The island's highest point. No description as we didn't climb it—there are better places for hiking enthusiasts.
7️⃣ Jingshan Viewing Platform: A dock extending into the water! Great for photos, especially at sunrise or sunset. For crowd-free shots, visit at sunrise.
8️⃣ Lake & Cafe: The "lonely tree" often mentioned online is by this lakeside cafe. Enjoying coffee☕️ with a lake view is pleasant, and the third-floor platform offers great photo opportunities👍.
9️⃣ Hengshan Island: A tiny island near Xishan with a few residents. For photo ops, just snap pictures on the stone bridge leading to the island—scenery is nice.
🔟 Dongcun Ancient Village: Said to be where Emperor Qianlong kept a secret lover. Only a small section features truly ancient houses.
1️⃣1️⃣ Yinshan Island: Like Hengshan, just take photos on the bridge. The island itself has little to offer, though lakeside B&Bs might be worth visiting.

✅ Final Verdict: Every spot has pros and cons. Xishan Island's biggest draw is its stunning natural scenery around Taihu Lake, with plenty of B&B and dining options👍. The downside is that attractions lack refinement, making it best suited for quick visits and photo ops.