Not in Lijiang Old Town, but in Suzhou!

Attraction Recommendations

- **Classical Gardens**
- **Humble Administrator's Garden**: The largest classical garden in Suzhou and a masterpiece of Jiangnan-style gardens, featuring exquisite layouts where pavilions, towers, and natural landscapes harmonize perfectly. Known as the "Mother of All Chinese Gardens."
- **Lion Grove Garden**: Famous for its labyrinthine rockeries, with nine winding paths and 21 caves. The stone peaks resemble lions, and the architecture is elegantly arranged.
- **Canglang Pavilion**: Suzhou's oldest garden, a Song Dynasty masterpiece, compact yet refined, blending natural scenery with serene water features.

- **Historical & Cultural Sites**
- **Suzhou Museum**: Designed by I.M. Pei, it combines modern architecture, ancient structures, and innovative landscape gardens. The museum boasts a unique style and rich collections.
- **Hanshan Temple**: A millennium-old temple famed for the poem "Night Mooring at Maple Bridge." It houses numerous relics, exudes tranquility, and resonates with the chime of midnight bells.
- **Tiger Hill**: Dubbed the "No. 1 Scenic Spot in Wu," this 2,500-year-old site is renowned for its leaning pagoda and Sword Pool, steeped in cultural heritage.

- **Water Towns**
- **Zhouzhuang Water Town**: Hailed as "China's No. 1 Water Town," surrounded by canals and lined with Ming-Qing stone bridges and traditional houses, embodying the charm of Jiangnan.
- **Tongli Water Town**: Built in the Song Dynasty, it features gardens, temples, and mansions. Seven islets are linked by 49 ancient bridges, creating a picturesque scene of "small bridges, flowing water, and homes."

- **Modern Leisure Spots**
- **Jinji Lake**: Located in Suzhou Industrial Park, it offers attractions like musical fountains and a waterside Ferris wheel, blending modernity with nature. The night views are enchanting.

**Food Recommendations**

- **Suzhou Noodle Soup**: Includes braised pork noodles and Fengzhen noodles, with rich broth, chewy noodles, and generous toppings.
- **Squirrel-Shaped Mandarin Fish**: A classic dish, crispy outside and tender inside, sweet and sour, representing Suzhou cuisine.
- **Biluochun Shrimp**: Fresh shrimp stir-fried with Biluochun tea leaves, tender and fragrant.
- **Sizzling Eel Paste**: Silky eel drizzled with hot oil, releasing an aromatic aroma.
- **Cangshu Mutton**: A winter specialty, tender and non-gamey, served braised, stewed, or in soup.
- **Red Bean Dumplings**: Soft, sweet glutinous rice balls paired with creamy red bean paste, rich yet not overly sweet.

**Accommodation Tips**

- **Old Town Area**: Stay near Pingjiang Road or Humble Administrator's Garden for convenience and great food. For example, Manting Hotel, housed in a historic building near Shantang Street, offers free parking.
- **Industrial Park**: For modern cityscapes and Jinji Lake views, choose lakeside hotels like InterContinental Suzhou or Crowne Plaza Suzhou.

**Transport Guide**

- **External Transport**: Suzhou has no airport; fly to Wuxi Shuofang, Shanghai Hongqiao, or Pudong Airport, then take a high-speed train or bus to Suzhou.
- **Local Transport**: Suzhou's metro system is extensive—download the "Su e Xing" app for QR code payments. Buses are also convenient (use Alipay). Taxis and ride-hailing are available.