May Day Suzhou: Human Jenga?! 😱 Grab This Anti-Trap Guide ASAP‼️

[Rafael Rau]

Hello! The May Day holiday (when China celebrates Labor Day) is just around the corner, and Suzhou has become extremely popular in recent times! I keep getting messages from so many people asking me to write a travel guide for it.

Frankly speaking, if you could avoid holidays at all costs, I honestly wouldn't recommend coming to Suzhou during holidays.

• During holidays, the historic areas of the old city are jam-packed with people, making you feel overwhelmed and less satisfied with your experiences there.
• What makes Suzhou beautiful is its leisurely stroll through the city to take every sight in. It’s more fulfilling when you come during off-peak hours as it allows you to fully appreciate the taste of "Jiangnan" water towns (which refers to the land south of the Yangtze River known for its abundant water, famous gardens, and rich culture).

BUT, I do understand that not everyone listens to my advice (just kidding!), or like myself, having no time due to the busy work schedule, or wanting to bring children out and play, with the holidays being the only opportunity they have.

Therefore, since there's no avoiding the crowds, I will try my best to share useful tips to help you avoid some pitfalls throughout your Suzhou trip.

Transportation Advice: Take Note!

• Don’t drive yourself to Suzhou!
  • Car drivers with non-local license plates face a series of restrictions at certain road segments and hours in the old city.
  • And the traffic jams are something you can't deal with; there are also difficulties with parking locations and expenses!
• I suggest using public transportation, i.e., taking the subway, or renting a shared bicycle. These convenient modes of transport would make the Suzhou tour much simpler than driving a car.

Here's how to structure your itinerary:

• First and Second Days: Citywalks (freely wandering the ancient city center)
  • The tourist attractions in the old city are relatively close together.
  • You don’t need to visit every attraction, and visiting them too often can get dull given their similar styles. A few interesting ones would suffice.
  • There are shops renting out qipaos (a traditional Chinese skirt that accentuates an elegant figure) along the streets next to attractions, and even those offering makeup services. About 100-200 RMB can buy you a set, making photos look stunning.
• Third day: A Tour Around Jinji Lake (in the new district called Suzhou Industrial Park)
  • The style of this new industrial park is very different from the old city. If the old city is classical in appearance, then the new area would be considered modern.
  • Though Jinji Lake is a man-made lake, its plans are outstanding. It is surrounded by a highly modern and bustling urban landscape. The scenery there is also quite appealing.
  • Want to see trendy architecture? You may see the "The Gate Of Orient," nicknamed “Big Pants" (due to its appearance resembling pants) nearby.
  • Want to purchase items or go shopping? This area will lead you to the largest mall in Suzhou - “Suzhou Center.”
  • Want to experience a cozy atmosphere? Li Gong Di (an area near Lijiang Lake) can provide plenty of classy cafes and restaurants.
  • Want to read books and appreciate the cultural ambiance?" The first "Eslite Bookstore" on the Chinese mainland is there.

Food recommendations:

• Traditional snacks such as xiaolongbao (steamed buns filled with soup), shengjianbao (pan-fried buns), and Suzhou-style noodles, alongside classic Suzhou dishes like squirrel fish, yin oil eel slices, etc., have a slightly sweet taste.
  ️ Please be noted: If you don’t enjoy the taste of sweet flavor, these might not appeal to you too much.
• Suzhou’s cuisine is hard to generalize as everyone has a different preference. I would suggest individual exploration using apps like “Dazhongpingjia” (similar to Yelp or TripAdvisor in other countries). (I’ll include a list of local small restaurants not as famous as others soon.)

Spot selection guide:

• Gardens: The Suzhou-style gardens represent classic Chinese gardens, definitely worth the visit.
  • Humble Administrator’s Garden (Zhuozheng Garden): It's large in scale, well-known, but with the most visitors.
  • Lions’ Grove (Shizi Lin): Renown for its artificial mountain made up of Taihu rocks(Chinese ornamental rock); however, it is narrow and frequently crowded.
  • Wangshi Yuan: Compact and charming, especially breathtaking under evening lighting.
  • Couguan Yuan: Featuring traditional gardens by lakeside, cherry blossom paths, and beautiful structures next to the water.
  • Tip: If it's your first time visiting Suzhou, consider visiting Wangshi Yuan or Couguan Yuan, which usually has fewer people and nicer views, therefore allowing one to better appreciate the beauty of Suzhou gardens.
• Which streets should we select among Shantang Street, Pingjiang Road, and Guanqian Street?
  • Shantang Street:
    • This traditional ancient street is suitable for older tourists, or young people who want to bring their parents here. One can enjoy spectacular night views there.
      ️ Please note: Some places sell food overpriced and only of medium quality.
  • Pingjiang Street:
    • The main spots on Pingjiang Street mostly cater to trend-conscious travelers; these include trendy restaurants, creative and artsy shops, and bars. The younger generation tends to prefer this street.
      ️ Please notice: As the main street contains uniform businesses, I recommend exploring smaller alleys around to better appreciate authentic local lifestyle while finding unique cafes or independent bookstores that often stay hidden. Also, you could rent a hand-powered boat to experience water-town charm up close.
  • Guanqian Street:
    • Not recommended: This is an ordinary commercial pedestrian street, without special highlights, and packed with tourists.
      ️ Please notice: There are numerous expensive food stalls selling overpriced and not genuine local food.

#SuzhouTravel #SuzhouTravelGuide #MayDayOutings #FamilyTravelInSuzhou #MayDayOutingWithKids

[Dr. Lance Glover]

This guide from the blogger is great for avoiding a lot of hassle! As a Suzhou local, here are a few tips: ① Consider renting an electric scooter for getting around – it's incredibly convenient. Just make sure to wear a helmet and prioritize safety. Note that shared bikes can't be parked around the Pingjiang Road area, and the subway stations are quite a distance away. ② If you're craving crab roe noodles (蟹黄面), Xie Huang Lao is the top pick; they have their own farms in Yangcheng Lake and offer various sweet, chewy desserts (like 'tong sui' or 'nuo ji ji' items) to balance the richness. For authentic Suzhou cuisine, head to Yanyu Zhenhe or Zhenhe Restaurant; you'll find them popular with local seniors. For pan-fried pork buns (shengjian), Yaba Shengjian or Xin Zhenyuan are both excellent choices. ③ For accommodation, consider areas around Lindun Road, Pingjiang Road, or Baita Road. During the day, explore Pingjiang Road, the Humble Administrator's Garden, and the Lion Grove Garden – these attractions are conveniently clustered and offer great photo opportunities. In the evening, Shantang Street is stunning when illuminated. If time permits, visit Fengmen Market to soak in the authentic, bustling local atmosphere of Suzhou!

[Joseph Thompson]

Check out Shuangta Market. It's a uniquely renovated traditional market with lots of food stalls and a creative/cultural bazaar. I recommend the Taihu Huadiao Drunken Shrimp, Laokeman Egg Pancakes, and the taro paste 'nuo ji ji' (a chewy, glutinous treat).

[Christina Altenwerth]

In the morning, you can visit Xiyuan Temple to offer prayers. It's a temple very popular among Suzhou locals, and it's said that prayers made there are quite efficacious. Plus, the temple is home to many cats, so you can enjoy some cat-petting time. Additionally, Xiyuan Temple is renowned for its vegetarian noodles and buns (though they are a bit on the sweeter side, typical of Suzhou-style sweet noodles).

[Maryann Daniel IV]

Pan Yulin's sweet porridge is a must-try; the red bean with mini rice balls is exceptionally tasty.

[Timothy Denesik]

Solid advice!

[Iris Marquardt]

Wow, still awake?

[Ethel Morissette]

The comments section mostly mentions hole-in-the-wall snack spots in the Gusu District. For proper restaurants, it's better to search for highly-rated ones on platforms like Dianping (though be aware that many reviews might be inflated). Usually, you won't go far wrong with those. Feel free to add more suggestions in the comments! Also, I find that many 'nongjiale' (farm-to-table style eateries) in areas like Shushan, Dongshan, Xishan, and around Taihu Lake are delicious. I'm working on compiling a separate guide for those.

[Jo Douglas]

Let's talk more about Shiquan Street. It's now largely dominated by trendy, 'influencer-popular' restaurants, making it a good spot for younger crowds to explore. A well-known classic spot there is the 'Xiangxin Jizhua' (Xiangxin Chicken Feet) snack shop. Their chicken feet are very tender and glutinous, and their red bean sweet dumplings (chìdòu yuánxiāo) are also nice, though on the sweeter side.

[Anita Wiza]

Here I am, browsing Suzhou guides again!

[Pat Pagac]

You're such a pro!!!

[Kelvin Shanahan DVM]

This guide is unbeatable! I'm following your recommendations to visit these spots.