Suzhou Summer Limited Romantic Journey

Market Time: From the end of June to the end of August, starting every day at 6:00 AM (while flowers last, usually ending before 10:00 AM). It is recommended to arrive before 7:00 AM to ensure you can pick fresh flowers.
1⃣️: Transportation Guide
🚇 Subway: Take Metro Line 4 to "Beisita" Station, exit from Exit 1 or 4, then walk about 800 meters to reach; or take Metro Line 6 to "Xuanqiaoxiang" or "Zhuozhengyuan Suzhou Museum" Station, then walk about 800 meters (about 10 minutes).
🚌 Bus Line: Suzhou Public Transport Group has specially opened the "Lotus Flower Agricultural Assistance Line" to help farmers sell lotus flowers in the city. Visitors can also choose to travel by bus.
🚗 Self-driving Tips: Baita West Road is located in the old city area, and parking spaces are very limited. It is strongly recommended to take the subway or taxi. If taking a taxi, you can set the destination as "Baita West Road - Agricultural Specialty Products Direct Sales Guidance Point."
2⃣️: Lotus Market Treasure Hunt
➡️ Fresh Lotus Flowers 🪷: For just 10 yuan, you can buy 4-5 budding lotus flowers. The stall owners, mostly elderly ladies, will wrap them in fresh lotus leaves to prevent damage, making it both beautiful and eco-friendly.
➡️ Lotus Pods and Seeds: Small lotus pods are about 10 yuan for 5, large lotus pods 10 yuan for 3; you can also buy freshly shelled lotus seeds, which are sweet and delicious, about 15 yuan per portion.
➡️ Rare Varieties: Look out for the unique "Yudie Lotus" from Dongshan, whose petals fade from milky white to pink, with a viewing period of up to 7 days.
➡️ Seasonal Fruits: The market also sells fresh seasonal fruits such as peaches, apricots, and plums, full of the flavor of Suzhou summer.
💰 Purchase Tips: Some older stall owners may only accept cash, so it is recommended to bring some change. Also, farmers start picking lotus flowers from their ponds around 3 to 4 AM and transport them to the market via the bus line and subway, so the earlier you arrive, the fresher the lotus flowers.
3⃣️: In-depth Experience
➡️ Watch Skilled Flower Folding: Many flower-selling grandmas are very skillful. They carefully unfold the lotus petals, then fold them inward at certain angles to make the bud gradually "bloom," add a small lotus pod, and wrap it with fresh lotus leaves to create a popular lotus flower bouquet.
📸 Photo Check-in: The lotus flower market is an excellent photography spot. With pink lotus flowers, grandmas’ cloth shirts, and the morning calls of vendors as the backdrop, you can easily capture the most charming summer scenes of Gusu. It is recommended to wear traditional clothing such as qipao or hanfu to better match the scene.
➡️ Taste Lotus-scented Cuisine: Many restaurants in Gusu District offer summer limited dishes featuring lotus flowers, lotus leaves, lotus roots, and lotus seeds, such as lotus flower banquets, lotus flower pastries, and special lotus drinks. For example, restaurants like "Gusu Family Banquet" and "Wu Ji Xiaoyuanzhou" offer lotus-related dishes.
4⃣️: Notes
➡️ Wear non-slip shoes, as the stone pavements in the early morning may be slippery.
➡️ Take mosquito and sun protection measures, as Suzhou summers are hot.
The morning sunlight shines on blooming lotus flowers, dew sparkles on the petals, and the air is filled with a faint lotus fragrance.
Recommended treasure hotels to stay in Suzhou!
🏨【The Humble Suzhou Houju Courtyard Design Hotel】
📍4th Floor, Shangchengmen, No. 29 Shilu Pedestrian Street, Gusu District
Located in the center of Suzhou at No. 29 Shilu Pedestrian Street business district, with convenient transportation. Take Metro Line 2, exit from Exit 12 of Shilu Station, and walk 5 minutes to the hotel🏨～
🏨 Suzhou Shantang Street Lingnan Club:
1⃣️ Suzhou Shantang Street Lingnan Club Hotel is a unique hotel set within a Ming Dynasty architectural complex over 400 years old.
📍No. 136 Shantang Street, core area of Shantang Street Scenic Area, Gusu District, Suzhou.
2⃣️ This hotel cleverly blends history with modern comfort. Its main feature is that it was transformed from the Jiangnan Weaving Office, the Ming and Qing dynasty institution overseeing local weaving and embroidery. Guests can not only feel the profound weaving culture but also experience authentic Suzhou classical garden life. The entire courtyard is water-centered, surrounded by mountains and water, with exquisite pavilions and lush plants, full of the rich charm of the Jiangnan water town.
3⃣️ Although located in a bustling scenic area, the hotel offers tranquility, comfortable rooms equipped with King Koil mattresses and high-quality cotton linens. The service is attentive and meticulous, the location is excellent, within walking distance to explore Shantang Street, and close to Suzhou Station and Metro Line 2, making it an ideal place to experience Suzhou’s history, culture, and leisure vacation.