[2025 Suzhou Restaurant] Travel Guide for XIN ZHEN YUAN (Updated Oct)

Address: Xin Zhenyuan / Suzhou Shantang Street (opposite the archway) I had lunch on Sunday and walked to Shantang Street. The first place I saw was Xin Zhenyuan. The place was clean and the environment was elegant. The price is ok. I ordered beef offal with vermicelli and fried dumplings (RMB41 after discount). Shengjian is the main dish of the store. Order a serving of shrimp 🍤 and crab roe 🦀. Juicy, chewy and full of flavor. The cooking method and taste of beef offal vermicelli are different from those in Hong Kong: the beef offal is thinly sliced, the vermicelli is thick and chewy, not the thin and fine Longkou vermicelli; the noodles are topped with clear soup and coriander, which feels refreshing. A simple and satisfying Sunday lunch😌 #冬游记 #国外游 #foodietrip

🚩 Itinerary: The best route without detours Day 1: Garden Aesthetics Walking Tour Morning: Humble Administrator’s Garden (opens at 7:30, rush to be first! Avoid crowds for empty shots, window frame views, and stunning corridor reflections) → Suzhou Museum (I.M. Pei’s final masterpiece, geometric light and shadow + rockery, best lighting before 10 AM) Afternoon: Lion Grove Garden (explore the rockery maze! A must-play with kids, stone peaks resemble roaring lions) → Pingjiang Road (rent Hanfu! Recommend “Yunshangji” 60 RMB/day including makeup, rowboat 40 RMB/person with Pingtan storytelling) Overnight: Designer guesthouse on Pingjiang Road (Hidden Courtyard · Tongli Branch, open the window to see small bridges and flowing water) Day 2: Water Town Fireworks Leisure Tour Early morning: Xiyuan Temple (opens at 7 AM with simple fare! Mushroom and bamboo shoot topping is incredibly fresh, pet the Buddhist cats in the backyard) → Hanshan Temple (touch the “Night Mooring by Maple Bridge” poem stele, bell tower bell ringing 5 RMB/3 rings) Afternoon: Tiger Hill (climb the “China Leaning Tower of Pisa” and hear the Sword Pool legend, catch a Pingtan performance around 3 PM) → Shantang Street (take a boat ride at dusk! Red lanterns reflecting on the river are 10 times more beautiful than daytime) Late night snack: Shantang Street “Xin Zhen Yuan” Shengjian (pan-fried buns) (lobster filling bursts with juice! Paired with chilled osmanthus sour plum soup) Day 3: Off-the-Beaten-Path Secret Spots Morning: Canglang Pavilion (Suzhou’s oldest garden! Unique 108-style flower windows, wear Hanfu to shoot the same style as “Six Records of a Floating Life”) → Master of Nets Garden (night tours paused but fewer people during the day! See the purple wisteria hanging over the lake at Dianchunyi) Afternoon: Jinji Lake (watch the “Autumn Pants Gate” reflection at Ligongdi, stake out the music fountain at dusk) → Twin Towers Market (eat taro mochi balls! Creative market with Instagram-worthy shots) 🍜 Taste Explosion! Suzhou Food Hits and Misses ✅ Blindly go for these old brands Yaba Shengjian (Lindun Road branch): crispy bottom + slightly sweet meat filling, 16 RMB/8 pieces with beef soup Tongdexing Noodle House (Shiquan Street): Triple shrimp noodles 128 RMB expensive but worth it! Shrimp brain oil moistens the chewy noodles, mixed sauce is intoxicating Pingjiang Road Taohuayuanji: Drunken crab 18 RMB each! Soaked in wine aroma and crab roe, red bean paste mochi balls are soft and chewy ❌ Internet-famous traps Guanqian Street “Crab Roe Bun”: mostly frozen crab meat, strong fishy smell and expensive (35 RMB each!) Scenic area “Jasmine Ice Cream”: strong artificial flavor, better to buy real flower bracelets (5 RMB each) 🌟 Seasonal Specials (August only) Lotus Feast: Pingjiang Road “Hong Deng Ji” lotus-scented lotus seed chicken and lotus flower cheesecake! Stunning and delicious Gorgon fruit sweet soup: Twin Towers Market “Da Niang Niang” chilled version, chewy, sweet, and perfect for summer heat relief 🏡 Accommodation Lessons Learned Avoid: Don’t stay on Guanqian Street! Late-night bars are unbearably noisy, poor soundproofing and expensive Best value: Pingjiang Road: 200+ RMB to stay in a Suzhou-style old house (recommend “Liyu Sushe” with carved bed and private courtyard) Jinji Lake: 500+ RMB for light luxury lake view (Park Hyatt Suzhou with terrace sunset views, pool facing the Gate to the East) Guesthouse warning: Most old houses inside the ancient city have no elevators! Be cautious if you have a lot of luggage ⚠️ Tested Pitfall Avoidance Guide Booking traps: Suzhou Museum tickets released on official WeChat 7 days in advance! Sold out instantly at midnight Buy official tickets for Humble Administrator’s Garden (80 RMB), don’t trust scalpers outside selling “fast track” for 30 RMB Transport pitfalls: Unlicensed taxis at the train station charge double! Metro Line 4 goes directly to Humble Administrator’s Garden (Beisita Station) Ancient city roads are narrow and easily congested! For distances under 3 km, recommend riding Yong’an shared bikes (1.5 RMB/30 minutes) Photo tips: Shoot early on Pingjiang Road! Before 7 AM no one interferes, bring props like folding fans or oil-paper umbrellas Wear light colors for garden portraits! Use reflectors in deep corridors (rent for 10 RMB/day) With kids tips: Lion Grove Garden rockery maze is easy to get lost in! Give kids anti-lost tags with phone numbers Stone slab paths in gardens are bumpy for strollers, baby carriers are more practical 🎁 Safe Souvenir List Caizhizhai (Guanqian Street): shrimp roe salted fish (vacuum packed! salty and savory with rice), pine nut zongzi candy Twin Towers Market: Biluochun tea pastry (freshly baked with molten filling! 42 RMB/box) Pingjiang Road creative market: embroidered Suzhou embroidery brooch by embroiderers (58 RMB), much more delicate than machine embroidery This guide is for reference only.

If you're planning to visit Qili Shantang Street, I recommend arriving around 4:30 PM, strolling slowly to the end of the street to check in at the Bai Juyi Temple, having an early dinner, and then heading out to catch the sunset. Along the way, there are plenty of souvenir shops and delicious food, and you can enjoy tea by the river—another afternoon will fly by. If you arrive after 6:00 PM, you won't be able to enter for two hours, so be careful!

If you're planning a trip to Suzhou, the peak travel season in June is coming up. Make sure to note these tips to avoid any pitfalls! ✅ Must-visit spots in Suzhou: 1⃣ First time in Suzhou: The Humble Administrator's Garden is a must-see, and the Lingering Garden is also highly recommended. 2⃣ Along Pingjiang Road: Cou Garden, Humble Administrator's Garden, Suzhou Museum, Lion Grove Garden—experience culture all in one stop! 2⃣ Shantang Street charm: Lingering Garden, Xiyuan Temple, Yipu Garden—feel the blend of ancient charm and modern vibes! 3⃣ Popular gardens to check in: Humble Administrator's Garden, Lingering Garden, Lion Grove Garden—don’t miss any of them~ 4⃣ Best for night tours: Wangshi Garden, the classical garden under moonlight offers a unique atmosphere! 5⃣ Jinji Lake sunset views: Gate to the East, Music Fountain (every night 19:30-20:00), Eslite Bookstore, Big Photo Frame, Yuanrong Canopy, Ligongdi—enjoy the perfect blend of modern cityscape and natural beauty! ⭐ Suzhou Travel Tips 1⃣ Try to visit the Humble Administrator's Garden early in the morning. 2⃣ Don’t just stroll along the main street of Pingjiang Road; explore the alleys and take a hand-shaken boat ride. 3⃣ Book tickets for Suzhou Museum at least a week in advance through official channels, or you might not get in‼ 4⃣ There are many snacks on Guanqian Street, but avoid buying at the entrance; walk further inside to find shops popular with locals and try the plum blossom cake. 5⃣ Listening to the bell at Hanshan Temple in the morning is very poetic. 6⃣ Eslite Bookstore is great for photos and unique cultural products. 7⃣ Watch the music fountain at Jinji Lake at night; the Moonlight Pier night view is stunning. 8⃣ Don’t miss the night boat tour on Shantang Street; avoid buying silk at high prices inside the scenic area to prevent being scammed. 9⃣ Suzhou Center is a great place for shopping and entertainment with many brands. 1⃣0⃣ Suzhou Metro is convenient; download the Su e Xing app in advance. Taxis can get stuck in traffic during peak hours, and if the attractions are close, riding a shared bike is more comfortable. 1⃣1⃣ The West Branch of Suzhou Museum has many precious cultural relics on display and is free to enter. 🍜 Suzhou Cuisine: ✅ Vegetarian noodles, sweet porridge, fermented rice cakes, Xin Zhenyuan, plum blossom cake. ✅✨ Qian Yuman Restaurant (Shantang Street Shilu Branch). If driving to Shantang Street, it’s recommended to park at Shilu International’s above-ground or underground parking 🅿, just a 3-minute walk to Shantang Street and about 1 minute to the restaurant‼ Very popular, don’t miss it❗ 【Recommended dishes】 🔥 Mountain chicken eggs with Bama water-braised pork trotters, three-color shrimp tofu, squirrel fish, top scholar sauce square, Peach Blossom Ten Miles wine. Especially the mountain chicken eggs with Bama water-braised pork trotters, braised and sold fresh daily. Also, the three-color shrimp tofu is perfectly seasoned, amazing with rice—you could eat three bowls😍 Peach Blossom Ten Miles wine is surprisingly delicious, sweet and sour. There are also various Suzhou glutinous treats, absolutely love them😍

#2月好地方2025 Address: No. 2 Shantang Street, Gusu District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province (North of Duseng Bridge) Atmosphere/Facilities: Small seats, order by scanning QR code, pay online, a well-established online celebrity restaurant on Shantang Street Specialties: Paper-wrapped siu mai, mini wontons, Suzhou-style prawn pan-fried Price per person: 20 RMB Rating: This is a time-honored internet-famous restaurant located at Duseng Bridge on Shantang Street. This is my first impression of Shantang Street. It is also the first impression of many people when they enter Shantang Street. It can be said to be an old store and also an Internet celebrity store. The place was packed early in the morning, although there was hardly any queue. The main reason is that the food is served quickly and the table turnover is also fast. Egg yolk cheese paper dumplings 28RMB 4 pieces per serving The wrapper of the siomai is very thin, and the filling is fried glutinous rice, salted egg yolk and cheese. This savory and delicious dish is highly recommended for trying. You can order a half portion. Bubble Wonton 15 RMB/bowl There are a lot of wontons, and the soup base is made of dried shrimp and seaweed. The soup is light and a little salty. There is very little meat filling in the wontons and most of the meat is in the wonton wrapper. Crab meat and shrimp dumplings 38RMB/4 per basket As the name suggests, crab roe and shrimp dumplings are not bad. But there aren't many specialty stores. The skin is very thin and the soup is hot. Signature King Prawn Pan-Fried 27RMB for 4 The shrimps are big and the skin is crispy. Contains hot soup. The second recommended dish besides paper-wrapped siu mai. It tastes best fresh out of the oven. Overall, the taste is pretty good for a chain store, and it’s very suitable for trying Suzhou-style shengjian and siomai for the first time. It is recommended to dine in and avoid crowds. Of course I believe it’s not the most delicious.

Suzhou food open no need to search desperately ❌ read this article Follow to taste Suzhou taste ✅ Highly recommended food worth trying when traveling to Suzhou❗️ ✅Xin Zhenyuan You can't go wrong when you visit Laixin Zhenyuan in Suzhou. The classic Su-style soup dumplings, pan-fried and wontons are served The only thing to note about the classic Suzhou flavor is to be careful with the sauce when you eat it. 2025 New Year to Xin Zhenyuan check-in and various woodcut New Year painting peripherals can be collected, too good ✅ Rong Yang Building The fried dumplings at Rongyang Building are also a delicacy that the older generation of Suzhou people have longed for ✅ Fat brother squid The squid is rolled into a cake. I don't make a sound when I eat one. It's too fragrant While shopping, you must not miss the begonia cake and plum blossom cake. Come and taste it, sweet; there are also green dumplings and sugar congee, which are unique to Suzhou. Bring a portion, your mouth can't stop at all🤩 At night, we will arrange last week's male crab, warm Su-style hot pot for a day of city walk to relax 🥰

#myhiddengems 鑫震源·苏式大虾生煎(山塘街店) this place is famous with locals and tourists. The price for the 生煎包 is very reasonable. The Mala mini lobster 生煎包 is filled with the mini lobsters. the wantons are really tasty too. the pork filling is marinated well and does not have a porky taste iykwim. i ordered delivery and the food came piping hot. super love! #suzhou #鑫震源 #苏州

《Suzhou Shantang Street》 1. **Address**: Northwest of Gusu District, Suzhou City. 2. **Admission**: Free. 3. **Opening Hours**: All year round, Monday to Sunday, 08:00-21:00, entry stops at 20:30. 4. **Transportation Recommendation**: Take Suzhou Metro Line 2 to Shantang Street Station or Shilu Station, and then it's a short walk. 5. **Recommended Visiting Time**: It's suggested to visit from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, during which you can enjoy the beautiful sunset glow and night view. 6. **Must-try Foods**: Xin Zhen Yuan's pan-fried buns, Wen Rui Ge's osmanthus oolong tea in bamboo tubes, Ling Cha's refreshing bamboo tube tea, Jiangnan Chuan Dian's osmanthus cake, Wan San Ti's plum blossom cake, etc. 7. **Attraction Recommendations**: , , , etc. 8. **Boat Tour Experience**: You can opt for a boat tour to experience the atmosphere of the water towns in the south of the Yangtze River. The boat travels back and forth on the seven-mile Shantang River, with a ticket price of 45 RMB per person. 9. **Photography Tips**: The lanterns by the river and the colorful lights on the white walls and black tiles are particularly beautiful at night, making for great photo backgrounds. 10. **Special Reminder**: Shantang Street is often crowded with tourists. Please be mindful of your personal belongings to prevent loss. I hope this guide helps you better explore Shantang Street and experience the unique charm of this ancient street.

Address: No. 2, Shantang Street, Gusu District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province (North of Dusenqiao) Atmosphere/Facilities: Retro street decoration, scan QR code to order food, Features: Su-style pan-fried prawns, siu mai Price per person: 50 yuan Rating: This Suzhou Internet celebrity snack can be found just outside the archway intersection of Shantang Street. It has local characteristics. The fried steamed buns are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Bite into the rich soup, which contains a whole shelled prawn and a lot of meat. And it's very big. Shaomai is different from Hong Kong style siomai, as long as the filling is mainly glutinous rice. It tastes like glutinous rice wrapped in dough. We ordered beef and curry flavors! All taste good. Pan-fried steamed buns and siomai are completely different from what they eat in Shanghai. Only the name of the food is the same. Although it is an Internet celebrity chain store, it is worth a try. It is recommended to dine in to enjoy the hot taste fresh from the oven. Although the packaged food back to the hotel was good, the taste was just a bit lacking. #鑫正源 #苏州 #七里山堂 #WinHong Kongticket I want to go to Hong Kong’s Victoria Peak to see the night view

🌈Travel Route Wenzhou -> Suzhou Wenzhou South Station -> Suzhou North Station 💶 Round-trip high-speed train ticket: about 300 yuan Accommodation: During the National Day period, the accommodation prices are higher, and the accommodation costs in Suzhou and Zhouzhuang Ancient Town are about 800 yuan in total 😋 Food: Xin Zhenyuan Shengjian, Lingshui Restaurant, lotus pods in Jingxi Ancient Town, etc., about 300 yuan Others: Transportation costs (subway, bus, etc.), play projects (such as small boats, stamp collecting, etc.), about 200 yuan Total: about 1600 yuan 🏞️ Scenic Spot Recommendations 🏞️ 📍 Shantang Street: The ancient street seems to have traveled to Suzhou a thousand years ago. 📍 Humble Administrator's Garden: The representative of Jiangnan Garden, every step is picturesque. 📍 Suzhou Museum: Appreciate the history and culture of Suzhou. 📍 Pingjiang Road: The life of old Suzhou, stroll in it, feel the tranquility and simplicity. 📍 Zhouzhuang Ancient Town: A typical Jiangnan water town, small bridges and flowing water. 📍 Jingxi Ancient Town: The ancient architecture, fresh air, like a fairyland. 📍 Lion Forest Garden: The ancient garden, exquisite layout, amazing. 📍 Twin Towers: The ancient architecture, the quiet environment, make people linger. 💖 Personal Feelings 💖 This trip made me deeply feel the charm of Suzhou and Zhouzhuang Ancient Town. The picturesque scenery, the long history, and the profound cultural heritage all made me intoxicated. Especially in Zhouzhuang Ancient Town, I felt like I was in a ink painting, that tranquility and beauty made me unforgettable. And the food in Suzhou, even more let me enjoy a feast, each one makes me endless aftertaste. Although this trip did not cost much, it gave me a lot. If you also want to experience a different trip, why not come to Suzhou and Zhouzhuang to explore!💕