Winter in Suzhou is amazing! Visiting a city because of a song

Hi, everyone! 👋 Is there a song that reminds you of the water towns in Jiangnan, like a dream? I was inspired by the song "Beautiful Suzhou" to visit Suzhou. The lyrics "Heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below, gardens in the city, green hills outside the city, oh, beautiful Suzhou" describe the beauty of Suzhou in a poetic way, making me want to visit this ancient city to explore its gentleness and elegance. In February, I embarked on a journey to Suzhou with anticipation. Check out my travel guide! 🌆 Suzhou is a famous water town in Jiangnan with a history of over 2,500 years, located in the middle of the Yangtze River Delta. Here, you can find exquisite classical gardens with a Jiangnan charm, where every step offers a different view; the thousand-year-old Grand Canal, where the ripples of time are created by the gentle rocking of oars; and old streets and alleys with white walls and black tiles, where the smoke and fire of life fill the air. In February, Suzhou is still cold, but it has a unique poetic charm, making it a great time to experience the slow life of Jiangnan. 🚗 Transportation Guide ✈️ By Air: After arriving at Sunan Shuofang International Airport, you can take an airport bus to downtown Suzhou, which is economical and affordable. You can also take a taxi, which takes about 30–40 minutes to reach the city center. If you take a high-speed train, Suzhou Station and Suzhou North Station have many trains. Suzhou Station is close to the city center, with well-developed facilities and convenient public transportation and taxis, and you can reach popular attractions as soon as you leave the station. Suzhou North Station is a bit further away, but the transportation connections are smooth. Most city buses operate from 6:00 to 20:00, and you can pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay. Check the bus app for real-time information before traveling. 🗺 Recommended Travel Routes Day 1️⃣: Humble Administrator's Garden - Suzhou Museum - Pingjiang Road Day 2️⃣: Tiger Hill - Shantang Street - Lingering Garden Day 3️⃣: Hanshan Temple - Fengqiao Scenic Area - Panmen Scenic Area 🌟 Must-visit Attractions 📍 Humble Administrator's Garden: As a representative of Jiangnan classical gardens, it is centered around water, with pavilions, rockeries, ponds, and plants arranged in an orderly manner. Walking through it is like being in a poetic painting of ancient literati, with every corner exuding an ancient and elegant atmosphere. Whether it's a secluded path or a pavilion by the pond, you'll want to stop and admire it, and take photos with a great sense of atmosphere. 📷 📍 Hanshan Temple: Famous for Zhang Ji's "A Night Mooring by Maple Bridge," "The moon sets, crows caw, frost fills the sky, river maples and fishing lights make me sleepless. Outside Gusu City, Hanshan Temple, the midnight bell reaches the guest boat." The temple is filled with ancient trees and incense, and listening to the bell tolls feels like traveling through a thousand years, experiencing the weight of history and Zen. 📌 Practical Tips 1. You can book tickets for Humble Administrator's Garden online in advance to avoid peak times on weekends and holidays. Take your time to appreciate the garden scenery and protect the cultural relics. Suzhou Museum is free but requires advance reservation. The museum has a rich collection and unique architecture, and can be visited together with Humble Administrator's Garden to experience the beauty of the fusion of ancient and modern. 2. The same goes for gardens like Tiger Hill and Lingering Garden. Plan your itinerary in advance and arrange your time reasonably. Shantang Street and Pingjiang Road are famous old streets in Suzhou with many delicious foods. You can stroll and taste Suzhou snacks like sweet porridge and begonia cake, but pay attention to food hygiene. You can buy tickets for Hanshan Temple on-site, and visit Fengqiao Scenic Area and Panmen Scenic Area to learn about the history of Suzhou's ancient city gates. 🍜 Local Food Recommendations 🥘 Suzhou-style Noodles: A favorite of Suzhou people, with thin noodles and fresh soup, and a variety of toppings such as braised meat, fried fish, and shrimp. A bowl in the morning, steaming hot, with chewy noodles and rich soup, will start your day full of energy. 👍 🍰 Suzhou-style Pastries: Like plum blossom cake and victory cake, they are delicately shaped, soft and glutinous, sweet but not greasy, full of Jiangnan characteristics, and are great souvenirs when visiting old streets. You can enjoy the sweet taste while walking. 🏨 Hotel Accommodation 📍 Gusu District: Suzhou Nanyuan Hotel, with a prime location in the center of Gusu District, close to many attractions, with a quiet environment, elegant and comfortable rooms, and attentive service, allowing you to immerse yourself in the ancient charm of Suzhou. 📍 Near Pingjiang Road: Suzhou Pingjiang Mansion Boutique Hotel, close to Pingjiang Road, with easy access to the old street. The hotel is decorated in an ancient style with Jiangnan elements, and you can fall asleep to the tranquility of the Jiangnan water town at night. 💖 Travel Experience During these three days in February in Suzhou, I felt like I was immersed in a dreamlike, poetic world. The elegance of Humble Administrator's Garden, the tranquility of Hanshan Temple, and the delicious food all intoxicated me. Humming "Beautiful Suzhou" while strolling through the streets of Suzhou, I truly felt the charm of this city. Everything here is like an endless poem, an endless painting, and I look forward to coming back next time to continue exploring this Jiangnan water town. 💕