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Suzhou in 3 Days & 2 Nights: A Quick & Captivating Getaway!
Just got back from a whirlwind 3-day, 2-night trip to Suzhou, and I'm already obsessed! I HAD to share my experience ASAP.
Where I Stayed: 晚归·初见酒店
My hotel, 晚归·初见酒店, was a bit of a trek from the train station. The room wasn't super bright, but it was perfectly fine for a restful night's sleep.
Shantang Jie (山塘街): A Fairytale Come to Life!
- Afternoon & Evening Charm: I kicked off my adventure with a trip to Shantang Jie (Shantang Street). Think "small bridges, flowing water, quaint houses" – seriously picturesque! Both day and night are gorgeous.
- Heads Up! Crowd Control: Be warned, after 7:30 PM, they restrict the flow of people, so you might have to double back quite a bit if you arrive too late.
- Jasmine Ice Cream?: I tried the jasmine ice cream (25 RMB for 2), but honestly, wasn't blown away. It melted REALLY fast and was a bit messy to eat.
- Food Adventures: Didn't get to Lý Bách Giải, so I went to 蟹禧堂 (Happy Crab Hall). The crab noodles were a bit heavy, but the crab rice was a win! I also had taro dessert, which was delicious, the other flavors were ok. I also picked up a painted fan for 19.9 RMB. The green color is pretty, but there are too many gaps, so I'm not completely satisfied.
Pingjiang Road (平江路) & More!
- Breakfast Fail: The next morning, breakfast at 鑫震源 (Xin Zhen Yuan) wasn't really my cup of tea.
- Pingjiang Road Bliss: Then I wandered down Pingjiang Road. Maybe because it was morning, but it felt much more relaxed than Shantang Jie. Less crowded and tons of great photo spots!
- Shuangta Market (双塔市集) Delights: Next up, Shuangta Market. A little pricey, but so many tasty snacks to try! I LOVED the taro mochi, and the seafood instant noodles from 面若桃花 were amazing – highly recommend!
- Hàng Châu Museum (苏州博物馆): In the afternoon, I visited the Hàng Châu Museum (it's free, but you need to book a week in advance on WeChat and bring your passport/ID). The architecture is stunning – perfect for both exploring and snapping Insta-worthy pics.
- Jinji Lake (金鸡湖): Then I headed to Jinji Lake, but it was a cloudy day, so no sunset for me. I also swung by Suzhou Center, home of the famous "pants" building.
- Run Ji (润记 - Suzhou Center Branch): Dinner was at 润记 (Run Ji - Suzhou Center branch). The food was right up my alley (if you're from Southern China, you'll probably love it). The price was good, so definitely worth a try!
Xiyuan Temple (西园寺) & Farewell Suzhou!
- Temple Time: On my last day, I visited Xiyuan Temple (entry is 5 RMB). If you enter from the South gate, there's a free incense stick stand on the left.
- Temple Eats: I had breakfast inside the temple – Quan Yin noodles and Ru Yi noodles. Both were large bowls and quite light in flavor. I also tried the fortune buns (5 RMB per bag) which were interesting.
My short trip to Suzhou left such a fantastic impression. It's a city that perfectly blends ancient charm with modern vibes. If I get the chance, I'll definitely be back!
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Tags:
china travel
