Information about Suzhou and Hangzhou

Suzhou was founded in 514 BC. Helu, the father of Wu King Fucha, ordered Wu Zixu, a traitor general of the Chu State, to build Helu City. It has a history of more than 2,500 years. During the Spring and Autumn Period, this was the capital of the State of Wu, and many monuments related to Xi Shi, Wu Zixu, etc. are still preserved. In the ninth year of Kaihuang's reign in the Sui Dynasty (AD 589), it was first called Suzhou and it is still used today. Suzhou City was built early and is large in scale, with water and land running parallel to each other, and adjacent rivers and streets. The ancient city is still located on the original site, which is rare at home and abroad.

Suzhou gardens are among the best in the world and have been included in the World Cultural Heritage List. Among the four famous gardens in China, Suzhou has the Humble Administrator’s Garden and the Lingering Garden; Tiger Hill is the “number one scenic spot in Wuzhong” The profound cultural accumulation makes it a must-visit place for tourists in Suzhou; and the poem "Night Mooring at Maple Bridge" by the Tang Dynasty poet Zhang Ji has made tourists from ancient and modern times rush to visit Maple Bridge and hear the bells of Hanshan Temple.

The natural scenery outside Suzhou City is beautiful. Lingyan, Tianping, Tianchi and Dongting mountains are dotted on the shore of Taihu Lake, forming a lake and mountain scenery rich in Jiangnan style.

Suzhou has both the beauty of gardens and the beauty of mountains and rivers. The natural and cultural landscapes complement each other, and the literati and poets chant and chant, making Suzhou a veritable "paradise on earth".

Important data

Area code: 0512

Location: Located in the Yangtze River Delta in the southeast of Jiangsu Province, it borders Shanghai to the east, Zhejiang to the south, Taihu Lake to the west, and Taihu Lake to the north. Near the Yangtze River.

Area: The city’s total area is 8,488 square kilometers, including 1,650 square kilometers in the urban area and 14.2 square kilometers in the ancient city.

Population: The city’s total population is 6 million, including more than 2 million in the urban area.

District: It governs 7 districts: Canglang, Pingjiang, Jinchan, Wuzhong, Xiangcheng, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou New District (Huqiu District) and 5 districts: Zhangjiagang, Changshu, Taicang, Kunshan and Wujiang County-level cities, 121 towns.

Origin of the city name: Suzhou was named because of Gusu Mountain in the southwest of the city, also known as Gusu City.

Local Features: Suzhou Culture

For thousands of years, Suzhou has produced talents in large numbers, shining brightly like the stars in the sky. Suzhou culture is a unique branch of Chinese civilization nurtured in the water towns of the south of the Yangtze River. It has filtered out the masculine and rugged elements of Chinese culture and inherited and promoted more of the feminine and delicate side.

Suzhou culture is reflected in the clear, melodious and soothing melodies of Kunqu Opera, Suzhou Opera, and Pingtan, as well as in the simple, fresh, elegant and beautiful works of the Wumen School of Painting. Suzhou culture pays attention to natural and easy-going shapes, winding and soft lines; it pursues indifferent and profound connotations, and subtle and timeless beauty.

The garden architecture, silk embroidery, folk customs and other aspects of the entire ancient city constitute the cultural accumulation of Suzhou. If you want to comprehensively appreciate and touch the essence of Suzhou art and culture, you can visit major museums. List of major museums in Suzhou

Name

Address

Transportation

Tickets

Suzhou Museum

< p>No. 204 Northeast Street

Tour lines 1, 2, 5, 2, 3

5 yuan

Folklore Museum

Pan No. 32, Ruxiang

Tour Lines 1, 2, 5, 2, 3, 4, 701

Free

Garden Museum

In the Humble Administrator's Garden

Tours 1, 2, 5, 2, 3

Free

Suzhou Embroidery Museum

274 Jingde Road No.

Tour Line 1, 3, 46, 701

1 yuan

Silk Museum

No. 661 Renmin Road

Tour 1, 2, 4 lines, 1, 8, 20, 38, 101, 102, 103

8 yuan

Traditional Opera Museum

中 No. 14, Zhangjia Lane

Tour Line 5, 9, 46, 47, 48, 51, 68

Free

Stele Museum

No. 45 Renmin Road

Tour lines 2, 4, 5, 1, 14, 28, 101, 102, 103

Free

Coin Museum

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Inside the Suzhou Museum

Tour lines 1, 2, 5, and 2 and 3

Free

Garden City

< p>Suzhou is a city of gardens, with more than 100 large and small gardens. The unique classical garden embodies the essence of Jiangnan garden architectural art since the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, integrating architecture, gardening, sculpture, painting, poetry, and arts and crafts. Suzhou gardens are mostly private gardens, and most of the garden landscaping expresses the owner's emotions, and they are known for their compactness, freedom, refinement, elegance and writing.

Suzhou classical gardens and houses are integrated into one, which can be admired, visited and lived in. This architectural form was formed in cities with dense population and lack of natural scenery. It is a symbol of human attachment to nature and pursuit of harmony with nature. A kind of creation to live in harmony, beautify and improve one's own living environment. The Humble Administrator's Garden, the Lingering Garden, the Master of the Nets Garden and the Huanxiu Villa were produced during the heyday of the development of private gardens in Suzhou. They have become the representative of many classical gardens in Suzhou with their profound artistic conception, exquisite construction, elegant art and rich cultural connotations. Model and representative.

One of the important features of Suzhou classical gardens is that it is not only a product of history and culture, but also a carrier of traditional Chinese thought and culture. The naming, plaques, couplets, writing stones, carvings, decorations, as well as the meanings of flowers and trees, stacked stones, etc. are not only exquisite works of art that decorate the garden, but also store a large amount of historical, cultural, ideological and scientific information. , both material and spiritual contents are extremely profound.

Best time to travel

Suzhou has a north subtropical monsoon climate, with a mild and humid climate, abundant rainfall, and distinct four seasons throughout the year. It is suitable for travel in all seasons, especially April to October. . During this period, you can not only enjoy the natural scenery of red peaches and green willows, but also taste seasonal specialties such as fresh peaches, Biluochun, and sugar lotus root.

When visiting Suzhou gardens or visiting nearby ancient water towns, it is best to avoid weekends and holidays. Only when there are few people can you appreciate her unique charm and style.

Reminder: Most of the attractions in Suzhou close before 17:30, and holidays are no exception. If you are traveling by yourself, you should pay special attention to this and arrange your time reasonably.

Festivals

Suzhou area tourism festivals

Xishan Taihu Plum Blossom Festival from March 1st to 10th

Huqiu Flower Fair in March —May

Azalea Festival in Humble Administrator’s Garden March-June

Jiaozhi Water Village Costume Culture Festival April

Nanhao Street Fairy Fair in May

Humble Administrator’s Garden Lotus Festival from July to August

Huqiu Temple Fair from September to October

China Silk Tourism Festival from September 20th to 25th

Suzhou Tianping Red Maple Festival in November

Listen to the bells at Hanshan Temple on New Year’s Eve from 23:00 on December 31st

Traditional folk festivals in Suzhou

The fourteenth day of the fourth lunar month in the lunar calendar is the birthday of Lu Dongbin (one of the Eight Immortals), commonly known as the "fairy birthday". On this day, many people went to the Changmen Temple to offer incense. Legend has it that Lu Dongbin mingled among the bustling crowds on this day. Those who had strange diseases that were difficult to cure were often destined to be cured. Everyone wanted to try their luck and get the favor of the immortal. Commonly known as "rolling the fairy". It has now become a folk temple fair activity.

Exposing books and reading scriptures on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month

Every year on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, Suzhou has the custom of exposing books. Various temples brought out the scriptures they collected to dry them, and the monks took the opportunity to convene old women in the countryside to hold a "scripture translation meeting". They turned over the scriptures and exposed them in the hot sun, claiming that "if you read the scriptures ten times, you can turn into a man in the next life."

There is also a folk proverb: "On June 6th, dogs take a trance bath." (Suzhou dialect calls bathing a trance bath). On this day, cats and dogs are led into the river to bathe to avoid lice and fleas.

Eat Lei Zhaisu on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth lunar month

According to legend, the twenty-fourth day of the sixth lunar month is Lei Zun’s birthday. Eating "Lei Zhai Su" means eating vegetarian food to worship Lei Zun. It is said that it can eliminate disasters, avoid epidemics and ensure safety. In the past, Suzhou people usually ate "Lei Zhai Su" from the first day of June to the end of Lei Zun's birthday, which lasted for nearly a month. On the day when meat is served, Songhelou Restaurant on Guanqian Street launches a special seasonal noodle dish - braised duck noodles. Therefore, there is a saying in Suzhou: "Lei Zhaisu opens meat dish - braised duck noodles."

< p>The Qiqiao Festival takes place on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month

It is also known as the Girl's Day. Legend has it that on this night, magpies flew in groups to the Milky Way and built a magpie bridge, so that the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl could meet on the Milky Way Magpie Bridge. It is a folk custom to sacrifice the Weaver Girl on the night of the Chinese Valentine's Day and beg her for wisdom and skill, which is called "begging for skill".

Accommodation introduction

The hotel conditions in Suzhou are quite good. You can choose according to your own financial situation. The three-star garden-style hotel Suyuan Hotel on Renmin South Road, the Taihu Pearl Resort in the Taihu Lake Tourist Resort, and the Silver Lake Villa on Xishan Island in Taihu Lake are all in good condition. The Ctrip membership price in these places is between 200-300 yuan. room, relatively affordable.

If you are traveling by car, there are many luxury villas near Tianping Mountain and along Taihu Lake, and the prices are also cheap. Generally, the daily rent of a two-story villa is between 400 and 600 yuan.

Of course, for those tourists who want to save money, it is quite easy to find a clean and cheap guest house. You can find "standard rooms" for about 100 yuan everywhere on the streets in the city. For example, the Sports Bureau Guest House on W30 Road is relatively comfortable.

Recommended accommodation:

Home Inn (Suzhou Sanxiang)

Newly built in 2003, it is located at No. 186 Sanxiang Road, a famous street in the center of Suzhou, east It is adjacent to the bustling city of Bishishi Road, the business center of Suzhou New District to the west, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and the famous scenic spots Huqiu and Hanshan Temple. It is only a 10-minute drive to Suzhou Paradise. There is a dedicated shuttle bus to Dongshan and Xishan in front of the hotel, making the transportation very convenient. The facilities are complete and the price is relatively cheap.

Entertainment introduction

The ancient city of Suzhou not only has a rich water town style and beautiful gardens, but also has many large-scale modern entertainment venues.

Suzhou Amusement Park is known as "Oriental Disney". It has the characteristics of international modern amusement technology and profound cultural connotation. When you are in it, you can not only appreciate the colorful and gorgeous European and American style, but also feel the natural and rich oriental sentiment. The essence of Chinese and Western culture is like a refreshing breeze.

Taihu Pearl Paradise is a national-level tourist resort. The park integrates entertainment, leisure, sightseeing, travel and vacation, and provides first-class services to tourists with first-class facilities.

After several years of renovation and improvement, Guanqian Street and Shiquan Street in Suzhou have become modern commercial streets integrating entertainment, catering, sightseeing and shopping. They are now a must-see for tourists from home and abroad during their trip to Suzhou. land.

Shopping introduction

When shopping in Suzhou, Suzhou embroidery is the most popular souvenir. Suzhou’s embroidery craftsmanship is one of the four famous embroideries in China, along with Hunan’s Hunan embroidery, Sichuan’s Shu embroidery, and Guangdong’s Cantonese embroidery. . Suzhou's Biluochun tea is one of the top ten famous teas in China and is a great gift for relatives and friends. There are also Suzhou Song brocades, Taohuawu woodcut New Year pictures, Su fans, etc., which are all local specialties. In addition, Suzhou dried tofu is also a famous local specialty snack. You might as well buy some to share with your family.

Guanqian Street in Suzhou is a well-known commercial pedestrian street integrating entertainment, catering and sightseeing at home and abroad. There are also sightseeing buses (1 yuan per person) traveling on the street. The stone road outside Changmen and Huaihai Street in the new district are also famous commercial streets. In addition, Shiquan Street is a tourist souvenir street, Pishi Street is a flower and bird market, Huqiu Road and in front of the train station are wedding dresses and photography equipment streets. They are all good places for shopping.

The "China Pearl City" in Hejiawan, Weitang Town is a large pearl trading center. You can take buses 1, 102 or 103 from Suzhou Railway Station to Pingmen Station (1st stop) and transfer Route 12 to Weitang Town. Or take minibuses from Changshu, Beiqiao, Xiangcheng and other directions at the North Bus Station on the east side of the train station, all passing through Weitang Town. Hejiawan is 2 kilometers west of Weitang Town.

Catering introduction

China has four major cuisines: Jiangsu, Shandong, Guangdong and Sichuan, with different tastes, known as "sour in the east, spicy in the west, sweet in the south and salty in the north" , Jiangsu cuisine belongs to the "Southern sweet" flavor.

Suzhou cuisine is characterized by rigorous selection of ingredients, fine workmanship, application of materials and different seasons. It is good at stewing, stewing, steaming, roasting and stir-frying, and pays attention to soup mixing to maintain the original juice. Flavor. The taste is light and sweet, and the color is harmonious.

The famous Su-style signature dishes include: squirrel mandarin fish, shark's fin in clear soup, eel paste with oil, watermelon chicken, whole chicken with mother oil, Taihu water shield soup, emerald shrimp bucket, lotus stew, etc.

Suzhou is also famous for its snacks. Honey-glazed tofu, pine nut candies, rose melon seeds, shrimp soy sauce, jujube paste sesame cakes, lard rice cakes, etc. are all popular delicacies that you must try.

"Deyuelou" and "Songhelou" are time-honored Suzhou-style restaurants; "Old Suzhou Tea Restaurant" is famous for traditional Suzhou cuisine; "Zhu Hongxing Noodle House" and "Luyang Wonton" etc. Good quality and low price, more suitable for public consumption.

The main food streets in Suzhou include: Eunuch Alley, Shiquan Street, Xueshi Street, Jiayufang, Fenghuang Street, Ganjiang Road and Shilu Kinmen Shopping Mall Food Street.

Recommended food:

Zangshu Town Mutton

The mutton of Zangshu Town is famous throughout the country. The mutton here is a cross between Eastern goats and mutton sheep imported from Australia. It is extremely tender and has no odor regardless of whether it is braised or boiled. Zangshu Town's own association has rated the "stars" of mutton restaurants, and there are bronze medals at the door. There are about 7-8 "3-star" restaurants, and the prices are similar, slightly more expensive than non-3-star restaurants, but 200 for 7 people Yuan Zuo has eaten well. Oriental Hotel is one of the time-honored restaurants. The services are good.

Transportation: You can take the minibus from Wuzhong District Bus Station to Guangfu Town, or you can take the Guangfu Boat Restaurant Street long-distance bus, Zhenhu Town long-distance bus, etc. at Suzhou South Bus Station. There are many of these buses, and there is one in less than 10 minutes, all passing by Zangshu Town. The journey takes more than 20 minutes and the fare is 3 yuan.

Reminder: The store in Zangshu Town will provide you with set meals based on standards such as 138, 168, 198, 208, 258 yuan, etc. You can choose according to your needs.

Transportation introduction

External transportation

Aviation:

Suzhou does not have a civil airport. To fly, you have to go through Shanghai Hongqiao Airport or Pudong Airport.

There is a shuttle bus from Suzhou to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport. The bus departs from the China Eastern Airlines Suzhou Sales Office at No. 115 Qianjiang West Road, Suzhou. The departure time is 6:20, 7:20, 7:50, 8:20, 9: 20. 10:20, 10:50, 11:50, 12:50, 13:50, 14:50. The model is a 33-seater King Long luxury coach. The fare is 50 yuan and the journey takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Shanghai Hongqiao