Suzhou: My Feed's Screaming 'Red Flags!' - What's the Real Story?

Sammy Schiller

Suzhou: My Feed's Screaming 'Red Flags!' - What's the Real Story? 1

Sure thing!

Hey everyone! I just can't resist sharing a few thoughts about visiting Suzhou and giving some solid tips for those planning to come here:

Some people complain online about local transportation, facilities, and attraction management:
- To be honest, arguing about these issues on forums isn’t very productive. If you have actual grievances, consider calling the tourism bureau or seeking them out via their official social media—this might actually help.
- With regard to narrow streets in the old city center, especially during holidays, locals often face severe traffic jams in every neighborhood. This is a common problem in many historic cities around the world.
- As for taxi drivers or the service attitude of local aunties... if your expectations align with those of Zibo, which is famous its outstanding service, then it may be somewhat challenging. In Suzhou, I feel that maybe tourism hasn't been elevated to the priority standard where all service industries treat tourists like guests.
Some people also take issue with the food here:
- The Jia-Zhe cuisine that stems from the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions is inherently sweet, right? If you find this hard to stomach and want to avoid eating the local specialties, there are options like hot pot, grilled meat, or Japanese cuisine available in Suzhou.
- If you're just not comfortable with the taste and quickly jump to saying "Beware, beware" (a colloquial term meaning "stay away"), I reckon that that's rather impolite. The word "beware" sounds overly negative—it seems like blaming Suzhou’s sweets for a fault. Not getting along with the flavors is understandable; you could say, "This dish didn't suit my taste," or "Friends who prefer stronger flavors should exercise caution."
- When we travel outside S-Z-F region, even if we encounter new dishes that aren't our cup of tea, we don't constantly warn each other with “beware.” We simply state, "I don't find this to my taste", and instead try something better suited to our preferences.

Alright, let's dig into the small tips (tips) for visitors to Suzhou:

Transportation (Getting Around):
- There are two railway stations in Suzhou: The Suzhou Railway Station, conveniently located in the heart of the city, offering an easy transition to the subway.
- If you choose to hail a cab, note that the old town area's roads are rather congested. For scenic spots nearby, travel by either subway or bike-sharing.
Sightseeing:
- Warning: Please do not purchase tickets from scalpers!
  - Most attractions can be booked directly through the app "Dazhong Dianping." (Similar to Yelp or TripAdvisor).
  - Some places require advanced booking online. For example, the Suzhou Museum.
- If you enjoy strolling through gardens...
  - I’d recommend visiting on non-holiday days if you’re not coming from far away.
- An experience upgrade tip: A rainy day in Suzhou can be quite unique. Take a tour guide to truly appreciate stories and craftsmanship behind the scenes of the gardens you visit. You do not necessarily have to go to the renowned Humble Administrator's Garden. Gardens such as the Couple’s Garden Retreat are also worth exploring.
Food (Eating):
- I generally don't delve much into recommending local specialties. Instead, you can browse Xiaohongshu (similar to Instagram/Snapchat) to see posts by others.
- In terms of desserts, while I’m not much a fan, there definitely are types of “cakes” that are well-praised. However, many hotspots that are popular among "influencers", have never been recognized by us locals.
- Severe Notice: Absolutely DO NOT EAT crab roe noodles.
  - It has become a common tactic to lure and cheat tourists. Regardless of the season, most of its contents—crab roe—are made from pre-prepared food packets using dead crabs. Their color and shape look slightly off.
How to Avoid Bad Food Choices:
- Avoid restaurants near the attractions.
- Avoid restaurants named with the word “Crab.”
- Avoid restaurants labeled as “Recommended by CCTV.”
- Avoid Suzhou-style-named restaurants located near the attractions, unless they are in malls: “Su Cheng Family Gathering Restaurant”, “Su Xiao Ge Noodle Shop.”
- Lastly, be wary of travel guides recommending any ‘must-eat’ choices, and instead opt for trusted sources.

Hope this helps with your trip! Have a wonderful journey!