[2025 Suzhou Stay] Travel Guide for Here Gusu Homestay (Suzhou Guanqian Street Pingjiang Road Branch) (Updated Jun)

### **Suzhou Premium Short Trip Guide** **📍 Highlights: Classical Gardens, Jiangnan Water Towns, Modern Metropolis, Culinary Feast** --- ### **🏨 Recommended Accommodations** 1. **Here·Gusu Homestay (Pingjiang Road Branch)** - Located near Pingjiang Road, within walking distance to the Humble Administrator's Garden and Suzhou Museum. Blends classical and modern designs, offering star-rated bedding and refined service. 2. **Sunshine in the Alley Homestay (Pingjiang Road Branch)** - Hidden in the lanes of Pingjiang Road, featuring terrace or loft rooms perfect for photography, with attentive butler service. 3. **Crowne Plaza Suzhou Jinji Lake** - Lake-view rooms with stunning vistas, ideal for admiring Jinji Lake’s nightscape, close to Eslite Bookstore and Suzhou Center. --- ### **🍽️ Must-Try Foods** 1. **Pingjiang Road Snacks** - Yaba Shengjian (dumb dumplings), Osmanthus Sweet Congee, Suzhou-style Mung Bean Soup (mint water + glutinous rice). 2. **Time-Honored Su Cuisine** - **Songhelou** (Squirrel Mandarin Fish), **Deyuelou** (Deyue Young Chicken), **Tongdexing** (Fengzhen Braised Pork Noodles). 3. **Jinji Lake Modern Restaurants** - **CANTON 8** (Michelin two-star Cantonese cuisine), **The HAAN** (authentic Korean dishes). --- ### **🎯 Itinerary** **Day 1: Classical Suzhou** - **Beisi Pagoda** - Climb the pagoda for a panoramic view of the ancient city, explore the hidden "Meipu" teahouse in the backyard, and feed fish while enjoying the scenery. - **Pingjiang Road** - Stroll along the cobblestone paths, take a rowing boat while listening to Pingtan (Suzhou ballad), and visit "Cat's Sky" bookstore. - **Shuangta Market** - A hipster-style wet market, try Auntie’s Suzhou-style desserts and Xinzhengyuan Shengjian. **Day 2: Modern Suzhou** - **Jinji Lake** - Lakeside citywalk: Gate of the Orient → Eslite Bookstore → Li Gongdi (spectacular night views). - **Yangcheng Lake** - Drive around the lake, shop at Bicester Village, and savor hairy crabs (best in autumn). --- ### **✨ Suzhou’s Charm** - **Classic Meets Modern**: Riverside homes along Pingjiang Road vs. Jinji Lake’s skyline. - **Food Paradise**: From street snacks to Michelin-starred dining, blending Suzhou flavors with international cuisine. - **Slow Living**: Sip tea, listen to Pingtan, wander through gardens, and embrace Jiangnan’s leisurely poetry. **📌 Tips:** Wear sunscreen in June-July; visit Pingjiang Road early morning or evening to avoid crowds.

A nice impromptu trip to Suzhou. Amazing experience on the ancient water town.

I really wouldn't have found this place if I hadn't come with a friend 😭 But it's so beautiful, so beautiful that I felt it was worth it the moment I walked in!! Before you check in, the host will give you the password for the front door and the password for the room. After entering the passwords, you can check in by yourself ✌️ We stayed in a suite with a tatami mat 🛏️ Inside is a large floor-to-ceiling window with a view of quaint houses. Listening to the rain and sitting by the window in a daze is so atmospheric 🥰 The small courtyard downstairs is also worth taking pictures in 📷 Who came up with this? It's so well-designed?! (My friend and I took photos like crazy here for an hour 😂) If you have friends who need to hold meetings, there is also a meeting room on the second floor around the corner, they've really thought of everything!! Another thing worth mentioning is that this little courtyard is very quiet, which is great for people who don't like noise!! (Highly recommended!! 💕) 🏠 Here, Gusu (Guanqian Street Pingjiang Road Branch, Suzhou) 📍 No. 2 Kaijia Lane, Gusu District, Suzhou

Compared to the financial districts filled with skyscrapers, those old streets with a bit of history are much more precious. Old streets are a microcosm of the humanities of each city, with historical deposits, and have long become a symbol of regional culture. If a city, regardless of its size, does not have well-preserved old streets, it is like suddenly stopping during a journey, unable to find the warmth of human life, and also breaking the cultural context of the city. Therefore, in Suzhou, my favorite place is still Pingjiang Road. This time, I came here with my friends and chose a homestay called "Here, Gusu". It's about a 20-minute walk to Pingjiang Road. Although the location is average, it's a good place to escape the hustle and bustle! This homestay used to be Mr. Xiao Feng's home. Later, after the manager's renovation, it became a beautiful space with stories and warmth! We booked a "Dawn and Dusk Family Room". The room is very spacious, with two beds🛏️, perfect for a family. The green plants on the table and in the corners of the room are instantly lovable, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere, a bit like a blend of Jiangnan and Japanese styles. What I love most is that they have a full set of toiletries from the luxurious Italian skincare brand Acca Kappa🧴, which not only brings the comfort of home but also creates a trustworthy and unique place to stay! In addition, in the tea room on the first floor, there are several still life decorations🎍. Morning, dusk, and night, the light will update its own paintings on the wall at every moment. Drinking tea and quietly appreciating it is incredibly soothing. It's hard not to love such a homestay!

The small courtyard of the homestay is so nice when the sun shines down! There is also a small tea room where you can sit and drink tea and chat with friends. There is a sense of comfort when returning home, very cozy and comfortable～～～ - The main thing is that the location is very good, right next to Guanqian Street. It is very convenient to go to Pingjiang Road or Guanqian Street. It’s rare in Suzhou that the average cost per person is less than 100 yuan! The king-size bed room we booked this time also has a big window🪟It's a pity that the weather is not very good and there is no sun🌞Otherwise it would be very comfortable if the sun shines in. There is also a lounge on the second floor that can seat seven or eight people, where you can get together to play Werewolf or something like that, which is very convenient! - The bedding was very clean, no problems 🙋🏻‍♀️ There are also two bottles of free mineral water for drinking. If the bathroom is separated, you don’t have to worry about getting up early to grab the toilet. 🏠: Here·Gusu Homestay (Suzhou Guanqian Street Pingjiang Road Branch) 📍: No. 2 Kaijia Lane, Gusu District, Suzhou City