Grand Metro Park Hotel Suzhou

Finding a day trip provider

by volarevolare

We went there and upon arrival saw a small stall on the platform of the train station, near the exit.

It was a tourist booth and they provided day trips.

So, we decided to take one -- given that it was one of those that offered a range of sights for a fee.

Bundling onto a small, used van, we chugged along the vehicled clogged streets -- it was Saturday, and the first day of the Qing Ming Festival -- not the best day to be in Suzhou.

So we went to our first stop -- a historic house visit.

Not too bad... luckily my managable Chinese meant I could understand most of what the guide was saying about the place.

It was like being in one of the houses you get to watch in period drama serials written by famous novelist Qiong Yao... ;)

I was intrigued.

How many servants would they need to run the household? How much money would it incur a month?!
This family was indeed very rich, given the opulence and scale of their home...

Beisi Ta (North Temple Pagoda)

by sugarpuff

The pagoda is one of the first things you see when driving down into the main town from the train station. It towers over the main part of the city looking remarkable.

It was firt built in the third century AD, and rebuilt in 1582. Eventhough the Pagoda only retains nine out of its original eleven storeys it still stands at 76m! Of course climbing it would give you a perfect view of the whole of Suzhou, but 'unfortunately' we arrived there too late...oh what a pity! I'll have to go back again one day to climb the NINE storeys!!! I dont think so!!!!! Luckily my mum was with me so I can use her as an excuse for not doing it....'you know, I didn't want to leave her there at the bottom waiting for me all alone...'!

It's open from 8am-5pm and costs a mere 15yuan to get in.

Garden City, paradise in reallife

by yangzhigong

"Garden City, paradise in reallife"

Old Chinese phrase said that Su Zhou and Hang Zhou is just like Paradise in the reallife, that's means these two cities are very beautiful. Su Zhou is famous for it's gardens, these garden was build by Billionares and high officials. Zhuo Zheng Yuan, Liu Yuan is the best.