[2025 Changshu Attraction] Travel Guide for Reed Maze (Updated May)

Shajiabang, Changshu! An Underrated, Niche Scenic Spot in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai…||🍁Waterside towns in the Jiangnan region, reed marshes, gondolas, and revolutionary history… I discovered Shajiabang in Changshu, Jiangsu 📍, a niche scenic spot where you can easily spend an entire day. ✔️During the day, you can take a boat ride, drink coffee, stroll along the old street, and enjoy the food…🌃At night, you can watch a show, see molten iron fireworks, and take a night tour… 🚶Recommended route: Check in to the Maison Hotel 👉 After entering the scenic area, take a bamboo raft/gondola through the reed maze and visit the Reed Art Exhibition 👉 Drink coffee at Lian Coffee 👉 Stroll along Hengjing Old Street (visit Yi Pan Xie crab store and sample tea and Pingtan opera at Chunlai Teahouse) 👉 Catch crabs 🦀 and eat crabs at Tianye Restaurant 👉 Night tour of Hengjing Never-Night City (see the show schedule in the picture) Shajiabang in the fall is incredibly photogenic!! Choose this place for an autumn trip around Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai!!

Parents, do you want to have a fun and easy Labor Day trip with your kids? Check out this list of kid-friendly destinations accessible by high-speed rail with zero tourist traps! 👇 I've personally tested these places, and my kid didn't want to leave. I've also included kid-friendly restaurants and off-peak hours so your whole family can enjoy a relaxing vacation! 😉 🚄 [1.5-Hour Direct Trip - A Natural Classroom in the Forest] 📍 Destination: Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden 🌿 This is a magical plant world for kids! In late April, the rose sea is in full bloom. The greenhouse has carnivorous pitcher plants, dancing mimosa plants, and a super-healing "Quarry Garden." ✨ Must-Do Activities for Families: 1. DIY Plant Printing: Rent a printing kit (CNY 30/set) in the "Science Classroom," pick up fallen leaves, and print them on a canvas bag. Your child will instantly become a "little artist"! 🎨 2. Cute Pet Interaction Area: Feed the lambs (CNY 10/portion of carrots) and pet the ponies. Remember to bring wet wipes! 🐑 3. Reed Marsh Exploration by Boat: Rent an electric boat (CNY 80/30 minutes), look for ducklings, and see water lilies. Your child will learn about nature while having fun! 🚣 🍴 Kid-Friendly Restaurants: ✅ "Mountain Hideaway" Pizzeria has cartoon-shaped pizzas 🍕 ✅ The "Ice Cream Truck" at the park entrance is a must-visit. Taking photos with a strawberry-flavored cone is super cute! 🍦 ⚠️ Off-Peak Tips: Enter the park before 9am and head straight to the "Greenhouse." Go to the "Lawn Camping" area after 3pm (you can bring your own tent) to avoid the midday sun! 🚄 [2-Hour Direct Trip - A Cute Pet Party by the Sea] 📍 Destination: Ningbo Ocean World, Zhejiang 🐬 Indoor temperature-controlled venues + super cute marine animals make this a great place to visit, rain or shine! The main attractions are the parent-child workshops and dolphin shows, which will keep your child mesmerized. ✨ High-Energy Experiences: 1. Underwater Tunnel Fish Feeding: Buy a portion of fish food (CNY 20) and watch the fish swarm around your child. Remember to take silhouette photos for a dreamy effect! 🐠 2. Penguin Restaurant Lunch: Eat a burger while watching the penguins waddle around. Penguin keepers will give explanations, and your child will enjoy their meal even more! 🍔🐧 3. Jellyfish Lab DIY: Participate in the "Jellyfish Bottle Making" activity (CNY 50/person), put a small jellyfish in a bottle to take home, and your child can observe it for days! 💧 ⚠️ Off-Peak Tips: Dolphin shows are at 11am and 3pm. Arrive 30 minutes early to get a seat! Watch the show in the morning, and then go to the "Touch Pool" during off-peak hours in the afternoon (touching starfish is super fun!). 🚄 [2.5-Hour Direct Trip - A Fairytale Kingdom in the Countryside] 📍 Destination: Teddy Bear Farm, Suzhou, Jiangsu 🐾 A dreamy farm surrounded by teddy bears! There's a pink beach, a small train, a cute pet park, and a "Parent-Child Kitchen" where you can make cookies. ✨ Fun Package: 1. Teddy Bear-Themed Photos: Take photos with giant teddy bears in the "Teddy Bear Museum." Wearing light-colored clothes will make your photos look even better! 📸 2. Cute Pet Feeding + Crafts: Feed the miniature horses (CNY 15/portion of feed), milk the goats (CNY 20 for the experience), and take home the "Teddy Bear Cookies" you made! 🍪 3. Rainbow Slide + Small Train: The slide is CNY 30/ride, and your child will scream with excitement as they slide down. Take the small train around the farm (CNY 25/person), and you might see peacocks displaying their feathers along the way! 🌈 🍴 Parent-Child Food Street: ✅ The tomato pizza at the "Farm Pizzeria" is sweet and sour, which is appetizing 🍕 ✅ The "Cotton Candy" from the roadside stalls is made to order. Choose a bear shape, and your child will look like a little sun holding it! 🌞 ⚠️ Off-Peak Tips: Stay at the "Teddy Homestay" on the farm, and head straight to the "Cute Pet Area" when the park opens at 9am. There will be fewer people at the "Non-Powered Amusement Park" after 4pm! 📍 [High-Speed Rail Travel Guide for Parents] 1. Pack Light: Use a "Mommy Bag" to carry diapers, wet wipes, and snacks. Bring a foldable stroller in your suitcase (you can rent one in the park, but your own is more hygienic) 👜 2. Outfit Suggestions: Dress your child in a sweatshirt and sweatpants that are easy to put on and take off (for easy running and jumping). Parents should wear comfortable sneakers (be prepared to walk at least 20,000 steps a day!) 👟 3. Child-Soothing Items: Portable picture books, sticker books (for use while waiting), a small fan (for large temperature differences indoors and outdoors), and a cartoon water bottle (to drink more water and prevent internal heat) 📚 💡 The Ultimate Truth for Traveling with Kids: "Spend less time rushing to attractions and more time letting your child squat down and observe ants." 🐜 Chasing butterflies in the botanical garden, watching small fish blow bubbles in the aquarium, or saying "Good morning" to the lambs on the farm. These "slow down" moments are the most precious memories of childhood. 🌿

🌾 Overview Located by Lake Yangcheng in Changshu, Suzhou, Shajiabang is a national 5A-rated tourist attraction. Built around the story of the Peking Opera "Shajiabang," it combines revolutionary education, ecological wetlands, and water town culture. Here you'll find the wild charm of the "Reed Maze," the historical atmosphere of "Chunlai Teahouse," and the famous Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs, making it a hidden gem where nature meets culture in Jiangnan. 🌟 Must-See Highlights: Where Revolutionary Memory Meets Natural Beauty 🏯 Revolutionary Education Base: Reliving Wartime History • Shajiabang Revolutionary History Memorial Hall: Uses audio-visual technology to recreate historical scenes of New Fourth Army wounded soldiers recovering in the reed marshes. 18 pillars symbolize the unyielding spirit of the severely wounded. Free admission. • Live Show "Reed Marsh Beacon Fire": Multiple daily performances featuring water explosions and gunfight effects. Waterfront seating offers an immersive experience of the thrilling story of locals outsmarting Japanese invaders. 🌿 Reed Maze: Explore the Water Town's Ecological Wonder • Water Maze: Row through 3.2 km of waterways, where interwoven reeds form natural barriers. In autumn, reed flowers bloom like snow, and you might spot egrets in flight. • Wetland Science Park: Observe wetland birds and aquatic plants, participate in ecological learning activities - perfect for families. 🍜 Shajiabang Flavors: Where Delicacy Meets Intangible Heritage • Yangcheng Lake Hairy Crabs: Available September-November, rich in roe. "Wansan Restaurant" offers vacuum packaging. • Shajiabang Braised Foods: Century-old braising technique for chicken and fish. Experience the making process at Tongfuyu Inn. • Dingsheng Cake: Steamed glutinous rice with red bean filling, not too sweet. Fresh-made at Hengjing Old Street, 5 yuan each. 📝 Practical Guide: How to Visit Efficiently 🎫 Tickets and Activities • Admission: Low season (December-May) 70 yuan, peak season (June-November) 100 yuan; night tour 30 yuan (includes light show). • Recommended Package: 150 yuan (includes admission + "Reed Marsh Beacon Fire" show), half-price with student ID. • Festivals: Kite Festival in April, Fishing Festival in September, Reed Festival in November, featuring folk performances and farming experiences. 🚶 Classic Routes (One-day Tour) 1. Revolutionary Culture Route: Revolutionary Memorial Hall → Chunlai Teahouse (Peking Opera performances) → Hengjing Old Street (film location spots). 2. Ecological Experience Route: Reed Maze boat tour → Wetland bird watching → National Defense Education Park (live ammunition experience). 3. Food Trail: Wansan Restaurant (lunch) → Hengjing Old Street (Dingsheng Cake) → Night market wine-fermented pancakes (dinner). 🌸 Hidden Experiences • Intangible Heritage Workshops: Bamboo weaving in Hongshi Village (50 yuan/family), reed painting (80 yuan/person). • Trip Moments in Hanfu: Rent traditional costume at entrance (69 yuan/2 hours), photo spots at Reed Maze and stone arch bridge. 🍜 Dining Guide: Water Town Flavors and Local Tastes • Must-Try List: ◦ Wansan Pork Knuckle: Rich but not greasy, available at multiple locations, recommended vacuum-packed for takeaway. ◦ Fisherman's Fish Noodle Soup: Fresh crucian carp broth with thin noodles, 15 yuan/bowl at "Old Street Noodle Shop." ◦ Wine-fermented Pancakes: Glutinous rice skin with red bean filling, sweet and soft, 5 yuan each at night market. 🚗 Transportation: Water and Land Routes to Jiangnan • High-speed Rail: Take train from Suzhou North to Changshu Station (25 mins), then Bus 5 to scenic area (40 mins). • Driving: Navigate to "Shajiabang parking lot" (200+ spaces, 10 yuan/hour), or park at "Yangcheng Lake Service Area" and take shuttle. • Inter-city Travel: 2-hour drive from Shanghai/Hangzhou, or 1.5-hour bus from Shanghai Hongqiao to Changshu South Station. 🏡 Nearby Accommodation: Value Waterfront Stays • Shajiabang Tongfuyu Inn: Waterfront traditional design, breakfast + show ticket package 599 yuan/night, 5-min walk to scenic area. • Reed Four Seasons Hotel: Neo-Chinese style, terrace facing reed marsh, Hanfu styling service (600-800 yuan/night). • Hengjing Old Street Guesthouse: Converted century-old house, bridge view, from 330 yuan/night, 3-min walk to Chunlai Teahouse. 📸 In-Depth Travel Tips • Photography Spots: Reed Maze morning mist (6:30-7:30), Chunlai Teahouse opera (10:30/14:30), wetland sunset (after 17:30). • Cultural Bonus: Water town wedding parade on 1st and 15th of lunar month, free entry in Hanfu. • Walking Route: Shajiabang to Tangshi Ancient Town (6 km round trip), through Ming-Qing streets, experiencing authentic water town scenery. From the resonant lyrics of "Shajiabang" to the rustling reeds, from the soft Suzhou dialect at Chunlai Teahouse to the aroma of crabs, 900 years of history have woven revolutionary spirit and water town charm into eternity. On an autumn afternoon, unfold an oil-paper umbrella and open this "Eastern China Red Tourism Pearl." You might understand why Marshal Chen Yi praised it as "the spark in reed marshes, deep as fish and water."

Tips for a Night Tour of Shajiabang Light and shadow ➕ boat tour ➕ night show ➕ 1️⃣ night 2️⃣ iron flower show every day Night tour time: 17:30-21:30 Travel Guide: Self-driving parking 7 yuan/5 hours Tour route: Revolutionary Education Zone, National Defense Education Park Wetland, Botanical Garden Wetland Fishing Park, Hengjing Old Street Shuanglian Lake Rhyme, Reed Maze Key Recommendations: Night Cruise (Red Stone Pier 17:20-20:30) City Gate Projection Show (Lao Street City Gate 19:10/20:50) Folk performances (Hengjing Old Street 19:20➕20:05 2 performances per night) Iron Flower Show👍 (Spring Pier 19:50➕20:35 2 shows every night) The Secret War: Sha Jia Bang (Hengjing Theater 20:30) Check-in point: Hengjing Old Street ➕ Chunlai Wharf Iron Flower Show ➕ Changsheng Bridge Accommodation suggestions: Huajianting Luhuawan/Tongfuyu B&B Shanghu Night Tour Guide Night tour time: 5.1-10.7 18:00-22:00 Closed on Mondays Travel Guide: Self-driving parking 7 yuan/time Tour route: Taigong Island Prayer Platform, Xiangxiangwu, Fushui Villa, Water Forest, Tiangong Kaiwu Museum, Liangzhu Culture Night Blessing (Taigong Island Cloud Corridor + Water Curtain Gate + Dynamic Light) Night Show (Taigong Island Water Show Fountain + Moon Bank Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains) Night cruise on the lake (Yangliu Island Pier, Fushui Villa Pier) Night Performance • Marching performance of "Yu Jian Shanghu" (Taigong Island - Fountain Stage - Moon Dike - Fushui Villa 18:20➕20:00, each performance lasts 40 minutes)

🌈Attractions: One of the first batch of classic red scenic spots in China, integrating revolutionary flames, wetland reed marshes, and intangible cultural heritage and folk customs! Dancing peach and cherry blossoms in spring 🌸 (March-April), lotus reflecting the sun in summer 🪷 (June-August), reeds flying in the snow in autumn 🍂 (October-December), and boats capsized in winter ❄️ (December-February), you can enjoy the red heritage and water village style in all four seasons! ▪️ "Wetland Secret": 2,200 acres of reed maze crisscross, rowing boats through it like entering the Wizard of Oz🚤 ▪️ "Live Intangible Cultural Heritage": Hengjing Old Street performs Peking Opera "Shajiabang" excerpts and water village wedding customs performances every day, and the stone pavement hides old crafts such as blue printed cloth workshop and Wengjia wine workshop ▪️ "A Bite of Jiangnan": Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs take center stage! Braised chicken, mushroom oil noodles, osmanthus lotus root powder soup, foodies are crying 🦀🍜   📅Travel route: Morning: Hengjing Old Street (blue printed cloth DIY🎨) → Shasilong Fishing Park (crab and fish fishing🎣) → Shuanglianxuan (lotus pond afternoon tea🍰) Afternoon: Wetland Park (bird watching plank road encounter egrets 🕊️) → Live-action drama "Reeds Beacon Fire" (hot special effects super shocking 🔥) → Night tour of iron flower (intangible cultural heritage iron water splashing into stars ✨) 🌿Seasonal Easter Eggs: September-November: Yangcheng Lake Hairy Crab Festival, Hengjing Old Street "Crab Feast" 🦀 June-August: Thousand-acre lotus pond in the wetland park, wear Hanfu to take ancient style photos of "Lotus Leaves Reaching the Sky" 🎎   🚗Self-driving tips: ⚠️Navigation location 📍"Shajiabang Scenic Area East Parking Lot" or "Shajiabang Town Visitor Center" 🅿️ ▫️Parking fee: 20 yuan/day in peak season (October-December), 10 yuan/day in off-peak season ❗Tips to avoid traffic jams: During the hairy crab season, it is recommended to arrive before 8:30 on weekends, or take the subway + bus (Changshu Route 5 goes directly)🚌 ⏰ Electric cars can be rented in the scenic area (15 yuan/hour), and walking + hand-cranked boat combination is recommended   ⛱️Must-see attractions: 1️⃣ Reed Maze: A dual-line maze on land and water, drone aerial photography of the "green waves" visual spectacle 🌿📸 2️⃣ Hengjing Old Street: the filming location of the TV series "Sha Jia Bang" and "Golden Years", must-visit Blue Printed Cloth Workshop + Wengjia Zaofang Fruit Wine🍶 3️⃣ National Defense Education Park: Real CS, air rifle shooting, the first choice for parent-child interaction🎯👨‍👩‍👧 4️⃣ Shuanglian Lake Charm: Lotus pond rafting + lakeside afternoon tea, wear cheongsam to take "people swimming in the painting" blockbuster 📸   🏨Accommodation tips: 🔸 Zen control: Jiangnan Luhua Bay (within the scenic area): independent courtyard with lotus flowers visible from the window, starry sky bathtub + open-air shower, 4724 yuan/building🌌 Tongfuyu Inn: Ming and Qing style wooden building, including mushroom oil noodle breakfast, 600 yuan per person🏮 🔸 Cost-effective choice: Shajiabang International Youth Hostel: A gathering place for backpackers, night chats about crab fishing strategies, beds 50 yuan/night🎒 Qingzhiwu B&B Group: Loft duplex with kitchen, 80-150 yuan per person, suitable for family travel👨‍👩‍👧   💗Other tips: ✅ Tickets: 110 yuan/person in peak season (including the performance of "Lu Dang Feng Huo"), 80 yuan in off-season, free admission before 7:00‼ ️ 🚌 Transportation: 1 hour drive from Shanghai/Suzhou, bus No. 5 from Changshu goes directly to the gate of the scenic spot 📸 Take photos: Wear plain cheongsam/Hanfu! Must-see photos: Reed marsh against the light, Hengjing Old Street window frame composition, lotus pond reflection Golden hours: 7:00 in the morning (light mist and reed shadows), 17:00 in the evening (sunset dyes leaves golden) 🍜 Food: Must try Hengjing braised chicken, crab roe tofu, Wengjia Zaofang green plum wine, be careful when buying "wild honey" on the roadside 🍯 ⚠️ Pitfalls to avoid: ◾ Choose the dusk time for rowing boats to avoid the midday sun ◾ For hairy crabs, look for regular merchants such as "Shuanglianxuan" and "Hengjing Crab Restaurant" in the scenic area