June 28, 2014. Shanghai entered the scorching heat slowly in 2014, and there were no hot days above 30 degrees in late June. In contrast, during the five years from 2009 to 2013, the highest temperature exceeded 30 degrees in late June for 7 days, 3 days, 7 days, 3 days, and 4 days respectively, including many high temperature days above 35 degrees. It is rare that it turns cloudy to cloudy after days of rainy weather. I took a self-driving trip to Changshu. Before I learned to drive in the spring of 2010, although Changshu was not very far from Shanghai, I had never traveled to Changshu. In October 2010 and September 2011, I went to Changshu for two self-driving tours. I visited Yushan, Shanghu, Xingfu Temple, Fangta Garden and other scenic spots. This self-driving tour in Changshu was mainly for filling in the gap and visited Yanyuan, Zeng Zhaoyuan, Caiyitang (Weng Tonghe Memorial Hall), and Jusha Pagoda. Among them, 3 are national key cultural relics protection units, and 1 is a cultural relics protection unit in Jiangsu Province. One of my primary school classmates also took a ride to Changshu. He visited Xingfu Temple and Fangta Garden. Finally, we took a detour to Suzhou and tasted the Zhu Hongxing noodles we liked together. The entire journey was 334 kilometers, which was about 50 kilometers longer than the direct drive from Shanghai to Changshu due to the detour to Suzhou. The picture below shows the city wall of Yushan Mountain. I didn't have time to climb but took a picture at the gate of the scenic area.

At 8:50 a.m., we set off from our home in Pudong, Shanghai. My classmate who picked me up from primary school near Shanghai West Railway Station spent some time driving in the city.

At 10:13, I arrived at the Jiading Toll Station of the Shanghai-Jiaxing Expressway and drove a total of 46 kilometers.

At 10:31, I arrived at the Zhuqiao Toll Station of Shenyang-Haiyang Expressway. I traveled a total of 57 kilometers and charged 10 yuan for the highway.

At 10:41, we arrived at the Taicang main line toll station of Shenyang-Haiyang Expressway and traveled a total of 68 kilometers.

At 10:55, I arrived at the Shaxi Service Area of Shenyang-Haiyang Expressway to rest and drove a total of 84 kilometers.

At 11:15, I arrived at Changshu Toll Station on Changhe Expressway. I traveled a total of 106 kilometers and charged 20 yuan for the highway.

Send my classmate to Xingfu Temple first.

Changshu Street View.

Yanyuan is the seventh batch of national key cultural relics protection units announced by the State Council in May 2013. It is an ancient building and is in the Qing Dynasty. Tickets are 10 yuan.

Introduction to the history of Yanyuan.

Zeng Yuan and Zhao Yuan are combined in the same scenic spot, also known as Zeng Zhao Yuan. Tickets are 30 yuan and a lotus exhibition is being held. This is the cultural relics protection unit in Jiangsu Province.

Historic relics left on the roadside in Changshu City.

Caiyitang is the fourth batch of national key cultural relics protection units announced by the State Council on November 20, 1996. It is an ancient building and the era is Ming. Caiyi Hall is Weng Tonghe Memorial Hall and can be visited for free.

Behind the memorial hall is the Changshu Champion History Exhibition Hall.

Changshu City Wall.

Among the scenic spots in Changshu, tickets to Yushan are not expensive, but I feel that Shajiabang and Shanghu are quite expensive. The joint ticket costs 150 yuan.

Changshu Street View.

Jusha Pagoda, the seventh batch of national key cultural relics protection units announced by the State Council in May 2013, is an ancient building category, and the era is Song Dynasty. Tickets are 10 yuan. Different from the other attractions I visited this time, Jusha Tower is not located in Changshu City, but in Meili Town, on the north side of the Changshu exit of Changhe Expressway.

Changshu Street View.

Pick up my classmate at the gate of Fangta Garden. The Chongjiao Xingfu Temple Pagoda under repair in the picture below is a national key cultural relic protection unit.

At 17:25, I arrived at the Shajiabang Toll Station of Changtai Expressway and traveled a total of 185 kilometers.

At 17:45, I arrived at the Suzhou Toll Station of the Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway. I traveled a total of 213 kilometers and charged 15 yuan for the highway.

After entering downtown Suzhou, drive straight to Zhu Hongxing Noodle Restaurant in Xizhong City.

A serving of freshly fried shredded eel noodles is only 15 yuan, which feels not expensive. In June this year, I came here to eat noodles three times, and I am considered a regular customer of Zhu Hongxing. Moreover, after eating noodles, I also bought raw noodles to go home. This time I bought 12 kilograms.

At 18:53, I arrived at the Suzhou Toll Station of Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway and traveled a total of 229 kilometers.

At 19:27, I arrived at Huaqiao Toll Station of Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway. I traveled a total of 277 kilometers and charged 25 yuan for the highway.

At 19:46, I arrived at Jiangqiao Toll Station of Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway. I traveled a total of 300 kilometers and charged 15 yuan for the highway.

At 20:50, I returned to my home in Pudong, Shanghai, and drove a total of 334 kilometers.