Taking Hanfu Photos at Tiger Hill, Suzhou

Tiger Hill is known as the "best scenic spot in Wu County." As Su Dongpo once said, "It's a shame to visit Suzhou without visiting Tiger Hill." During my time in Suzhou, not only did I visit Tiger Hill, but I also took a beautiful set of Hanfu photos. It was a wonderful surprise. I planned a trip to Suzhou, Shanghai, and Nanjing during the winter vacation. The two days I spent in Suzhou happened to be on the weekend, so even though the pandemic had just ended, we still experienced the feeling of being surrounded by crowds of tourists. This time, I'll mainly share how to take Hanfu photos that look uncrowded during a busy holiday season. First, wake up early or avoid large Hanfu rental shops. Try to get your makeup done as soon as the shop opens. I found a famous Hanfu rental shop online and called ahead to make an appointment, but they said I could only queue on-site. The next day, we arrived 20 minutes after opening and were told we'd have to wait until almost noon. So, we quickly found another shop next door and finished our makeup and dressing within an hour. Most Hanfu are similar, so I think either waking up early or avoiding large shops works. Second, give up on the most famous attractions. We originally planned to take photos at the Humble Administrator's Garden, but by the time we finished our makeup and rushed over, the queue at the entrance was endless. Even if we waited in line for a long time, we would only end up with photos full of people. So, we went to Tiger Hill, as recommended by a friend, and entered through the north gate, where there were fewer people. Third, plan your photo shoot route. Not far from the north gate, there's a beautiful garden with many plum blossoms. After taking photos there, we took the electric cart up the hill, saw the Leaning Tower of Tiger Hill, and hiked down, taking photos of pavilions and bamboo forests. It was very beautiful. After descending the hill near the south gate, you can rent a small boat after 4:30 pm to take photos on the lake, which has a classical charm. The boat costs CNY100 for 15 minutes, and you can only rent it after the regular boat operation ends. Finally, choose the right angles and find the moments when there are no people around. I hope everyone can take beautiful photos!