A Local's Stab at a Suzhou Guide: Eat/Drink/Play
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As a local, I can't find anything to complain about with this! Suzhou is genuinely beautiful – the diverse food, scenic spots, and Suzhou Pingtan (storytelling with music) are all fantastic. Honestly, a two or three-day trip for tourists isn't nearly enough to see it all! Being a local, I love heading to Yangcheng Lake this season to just relax; it's super comfortable. And let's not forget, the famous Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs are from our Suzhou! Even local grandmas praise the steamed crabs – they're divine! If you have time, you absolutely have to visit, and check out Dongshan and Xishan (East and West Hills) too!!!
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Any recommendations for hairy crabs? I won't have a car and will be relying on public transport.
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Anyone around to hang out on August 6th and 7th?
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We'll be there on the 6th, 7th, and 8th! Awesome!
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Where's a good place to park?
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Dongwu Hotel.
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Hi, I'm planning a day trip from Shanghai during Chinese New Year. Could you tell me which areas in Suzhou have the strongest festive atmosphere?
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Panmen Gate, perhaps?
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Excuse me, where was the first picture taken? It's gorgeous!
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That's the bridge in front of Dongwu Hotel.
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Hi, where was the second picture (p2) taken? I'd love to go there for the sunset.
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Ladymay.
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Our trip to Suzhou was definitely worth it! We took the kids for a weekend getaway to let off some steam. We started early with three-shrimp noodles at Yuxingji – so delicious the little one drank all the broth! In the afternoon, we drove to Yangcheng Lake. A local showed us to this spot with a huge grassy area where the kids spent ages on the swings and picking tomatoes. The food had that authentic, home-cooked taste from a wood-fired stove – I wonder if anyone knows that feeling! Best part? It was a fantastic experience, uncrowded, beautiful, and not exhausting for this mom! It's the perfect way to tire out the kids so they conk out immediately!
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Was it fun?
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I visited the Gate to the East, Suzhou Center, and Jinji Lake today... and I was genuinely blown away!!! It just exudes modern charm. What's amazing is that it's not just modern; there's a lake and a plaza right in the middle, with office buildings across the water... the whole area feels incredibly upscale. It actually impressed me more than the Bund (though maybe my expectations for the Bund were too high, haha). I really think the Industrial Park is designed with incredible style.