Suzhou Travel Guide

【Suzhou Travel Guide: Eat and Wander, Be a Happy Little Wanderer in Jiangnan】 I. Recommended Attractions: 1. Humble Administrator's Garden: Ticket ¥80, suggest arriving at 8am, otherwise your photos will be full of people. The garden is big enough to get lost in, but getting lost is part of the fun. 2. Pingjiang Road: Free! Best to visit in the evening when the lanterns light up for amazing vibes. Try counting how many silk shops you pass – I bet you'll give up after the 20th one. 3. Tiger Hill: Ticket ¥60, the leaning pagoda here is even more tilted than the Tower of Pisa. When taking photos, try holding your phone at an angle so the tower looks straight (just kidding). II. Must-Try Foods: 1. Dumb Man's Pan-Fried Buns: ¥20/serving, beware of the hot juice that squirts out – don't ask how I know. Take a small bite first, then slurp the soup before eating the rest. 2. Squirrel-Shaped Mandarin Fish: Around ¥120, sweet and sour flavor, the fish is fried to look like a hedgehog. Post a photo on social media and you'll definitely get lots of likes. 3. Water Chestnut Sweet Soup: ¥15/bowl, a summer favorite among Suzhou locals. Remember to spit out the "chicken heads" – they're not actual chicken heads! III. Transportation Tips: 1. The subway is super convenient and reaches most attractions. Bus stop names are poetic – they sound like you're reciting poetry. 2. Rickshaws are a fun experience, but remember to bargain so you're not treated like a "fish out of water." 3. Shared bikes are plentiful, but the cobblestone streets in the old town will give you abs from all the bumping. IV. Pitfall Prevention: 1. Don't trust the "free guides" at attraction entrances – they'll eventually lead you to shopping spots. 2. For silk purchases, go to established stores. Those "real silk scarves" selling for ¥50 on the street might be synthetic. 3. Don't step on the grass in the gardens when taking photos – the security guard's whistle will make you jump. Recommended Stay: 2-3 days Budget: ¥500-800/person Best Seasons: March-May (for flowers) or September-November (for crab season) Final Reminder: In Suzhou dialect, "ah hao chi" means "is it delicious?" not surprise that the food will eat you. Enjoy getting lost in Suzhou! (You'll eventually find your way back to Guanqian Street anyway)