Suzhou area one of best in China to view seasonal colors (3)

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How to get there:

High-speed train from Shanghai Railway Station or Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station takes half an hour. One-way, second class costs 40 yuan (US$6.50).

Nearby attractions:

Mudu is a historic cultural town in Suzhou’s rural western suburbs and it’s connected by the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal with Taihu Lake. It contains more than 30 private gardens, both delicate and elaborate. Built during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, they include Yan’s Garden, Bangyan Mansion and Hongyin Villa. Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty called Hongyin Villa his imperial palace during his regular tours of the region south of the Yangtze River. The aesthetics of the garden with its streams, ponds, paths, rockeries, pavilions and plantings drew him back again and again.

There are many traditional restaurants along Qionglong Road. Aquatic plants and animals are recommended, including “Three Whites in Taihu Lake,” meaning silver fish, white fish and white shrimp. Another dish combines lotus root, and seeds of gorgon euryale, a water plant.


Nanhao Street

Near Chang Gate, Nanhao Street was a famous market and remains so today, crowded with stalls and vendors selling snacks and food. In the fall the typical snack is Chinese chestnuts fried with sweet osmanthus sugar and arrowhead root chips.

Every April 14 on the lunar calendar, thousands of people gather at the Shenxian Temple or Fairy Temple to pray for good fortune and enjoy the temple fair. Activities include traditional paper cutting, making models with sugar and glass blowing (aided by craftsmen).


Tianping Mountain

Opening hours: 7:30am-5pm

Admission: 30 yuan

Tel: 0512-6626-1382

By Metro: Take Suzhou Metro Line 1 to Mudu Station and take tourist bus at Gate 5.

By bus: Take Suzhou Nos. 4, 315, 662 bus and Tourist Line 4.

By car: Suzhou Xihuan Elevated Rd — Laodong Rd Exit — Zhuyuan Rd — Lingtian Rd

It has a parking lot for 700 cars.



Shihu Lake

Opening hours: 6am-4:30pm

Admission: 40 yuan for Shangfang Mountain.

Shihu Lake area is free.

Tel: 0512-6823-0300

By bus: Take Suzhou Nos. 415, 602, 504, 505, 306, 512, 318 bus.

By car: Suzhou Youxin Rd — Baodai Rd W. — Wuyue Rd



Maple Bridge

Opening hours: 8am-5pm

Admission: 25 yuan

Tel: 0512-6557-5100

By bus: Take Suzhou Nos. 45, 33, 415 bus and Tourist Line 3.

By car: Suzhou Xihuan Elevated Rd — Jinmen Rd — Heshan Rd



Mudu Ancient Town

Hours: 8am-4:30pm

Admission: 60 yuan

By bus: Take Suzhou Nos. 502, 38, 63 bus and Tourist Line 4.

By car: Suzhou Xihuan Rd — Laodong Rd — Suoshan Bridge



Nanhao Street

Hours: All day

Admission: free

By bus: Take Suzhou Nos. 31, 501, 311, 34, 415, 442 bus.

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