https://sa.trip.com/moments/detail/suzhou-11-133602652
Chloe.Powell*83United States

Revisiting Suzhou Again, Still Full of Surprises Like a Blind Box...

❤Why I Recommend: To me, Suzhou is like an old friend. Our friendship began during my college years when I took a tour guide course on Suzhou's classical gardens. Back then, I was captivated by the grandeur of the Humble Administrator’s Garden and the elegance of the Lion Grove Garden, and I first savored the poetic line, "Outside Gusu City, the Cold Mountain Temple—midnight bell tones reach a traveler’s boat." Later, driven by my love for Jiangnan (southern China) and nostalgic sentiments, I returned to the Suzhou area (excluding Zhangjiagang and Wujiang) seven more times—whether to wander through gardens and ancient towns, enjoy Pingtan (Suzhou ballad singing), or indulge in local delicacies. I’ve always cherished its dreamy charm, like "mist veiling cold water, moonlight shrouding sand." For my eighth visit, I chose to stay with my family at Panmen for four days, slowing down to savor the world—the longest lingering encounter with Gusu since we first met... 🗓Itinerary: **Day 1: A Date with Food and Pingtan** [Heart] Arrived at Suzhou Station and took a ride straight to the Pan Pacific Suzhou Hotel to check in. After settling in, headed to Rui Noodle inside the hotel for a comforting bowl of alkaline noodles. Spent the afternoon sipping tea and chatting in the room. In the evening, strolled to Jiangnan Yachu (Taihua Mall Branch) for authentic Suzhou cuisine, accompanied by live Pingtan performances—a feast for both the palate and the soul, immersing in the charm of Jiangnan 🎵 **Day 2: The Beauty of Panmen and the Master-of-Nets Garden** [Heart] Explored Panmen Scenic Area, starting with the Ruiguang Pagoda, then the Water Gate and Land Gate. By day, Panmen is quaint and serene; by night, it’s even more enchanting. Took a night tour of the Master-of-Nets Garden—tickets plus performance and guided tour cost 120 RMB/person (bookable on the official WeChat account). A must-try experience, with surprises in the performance! [Facepalm] **Day 3: Museum Hopping Day** [Clapping][Clapping][Clapping] A paradise for museum lovers! Suzhou truly never runs short of gardens, each with its own story and charm. In the morning, walked from the hotel to visit the Stele Museum and the Education Museum (delightfully discovered it’s housed in Chai Garden [Heart][Heart][Heart]). In the afternoon, took a ride to revisit the Suzhou Museum for the third time. Remember to book in advance—it’s free but always crowded, 🔥 **Day 4: Relaxing with Biluochun Tea and Dim Sum** [Clapping][Clapping][Clapping] Slept in luxuriously at the hotel, then walked to Suzhou Tea Market for a cup of fresh Biluochun tea (it’s the new harvest!) [Heart]. Returned to the hotel for dinner at Haitian Tower, feasting on Jiangnan delicacies—crab roe and eel paste stole the show! 📝Accommodation Tips: Stay at Pan Pacific Suzhou Hotel—your room key grants free access to Panmen Scenic Area, super convenient! 🍽Dining Recommendations: 🍜Rui Noodle: The hotel’s noodle shop serves incredibly comforting Suzhou-style noodles and dim sum—a must-try. 🍲Haitian Tower Chinese Restaurant: The hotel’s in-house restaurant, offering authentic Jiangnan flavors. 🍲Jiangnan Yachu (Taihua Mall Branch): Genuine Suzhou cuisine in a lovely setting.
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Posted: Jul 6, 2025
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Ruiguang Tower

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