Squirrel mandarin fish, hand peeled shrimp, small bridges and flowing water, pavilions and towers, the lively city of Gusu.

Suzhou, the most characteristic small town of Jiangnan water towns, is a garden with hidden ancient water towns hidden within it.

This outstanding representative of Jiangnan water town has always been arranged by me as one of the destinations for long-distance travel or as a supporting role of other destinations. This time, taking advantage of my son's four days of traveling alone with his classmates to Chongqing, I took my parents to savor the slow taste of Gusu.

My parents have been to Suzhou before, and we have visited many places sporadically. This trip requires clever and meticulous planning for a brand new trip to Suzhou.

The shocking speed of China has brought us closer to the beautiful scenery. The high-speed train arrived in Suzhou in four hours and started self driving.

The famous Yangcheng Lake has embarked on our journey to Suzhou. No one in the food industry doesn't know about Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs! Yangcheng Lake is also renowned for this, but there are not many people around who have visited Yangcheng Lake. Although it is not the season for hairy crabs to be released and there are no plans to dine here, we are still eagerly anticipating the beautiful scenery known for its delicious cuisine.

Yangcheng Lake is located in the northern part of Suzhou City, and it is very convenient to depart from the Suzhou North Station of the high-speed railway. By watching the travel notes of netizens, we have roughly planned the tour route.

Passing by the signs on the Yangcheng Lake Peninsula, we first arrived at the Huayi Brothers Film World. The spacious parking lot and scorching sun made the entrance seem deserted. For this kind of artificial landscape and entertainment project, we are not interested in it at all, and with over 200 tickets, we feel that it is not as affordable as having a big meal. My parents are free of charge and allowed to take photos inside, so that I can steal them. We can enjoy the exotic buildings on the outskirts of the town outside, which are colorful and suitable for taking photos. Not far away, by the side of Yangcheng Lake, the lake is vast, with a gentle breeze blowing and the water surface rippling slightly. The sky is high and the clouds are light. This is not the main scenic area of Yangcheng Lake, without the sound of merchants selling or the noise of personnel. Standing by the shore, it feels like you have the entire lake surface. The sunshine is abundant, so I took a few photos and quickly hid in the shade to cool off. Later, appreciating the photos taken by my parents in the world of movies, the colors under the scorching sun were beautiful.

Along the circular path of Yangcheng Lake, we arrived at Chongyuan Temple. Chongyuan Temple was first built during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, and what is currently visible is the later construction. The temple gate is grand, standing on the outskirts of the temple, you can see the main temple standing behind the large lotus pond in the courtyard, with thick clouds, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility.

Continuing forward, we arrived at the Lotus Island Pier, which is famous for its triangular and three-dimensional "thatched cottage" shape made of aluminum panels and blinds. With a simple modern style and a strong sense of hierarchy and depth, we feel a cold sense of distance. The cruise ships are all moored on the shore, and the water surface appears particularly calm during the off-season.

On the way back, I saw many restaurants and homestays on both sides of the road, most of which are currently closed. The signs of various crabs, the names of crabs, the exquisite and tidy two or three story Xiaobai Building, and the perfect integration of Jiangnan characteristics and Yangcheng Lake brand form a unique scenery.

One of the most important things to do when coming to Suzhou is to taste authentic Suzhou cuisine. For dinner, we specifically found a reputable Su Gang restaurant near Pingjiang Road and took a taxi there. Despite the heavy rain, we couldn't stop the footsteps of the queue. The restaurant has a small storefront, but inside it there is a winding and secluded area. People come and go, flipping tables, ordering dishes, and serving dishes, bustling and lively. We ordered Squirrel Mandarin Fish, Stir fried Shrimp, Soy Sauce Duck, Soy Sauce Shrimp, Braised Water Shield and Silver Fish Soup and Crab Meat Xiaolongbao, which can reflect the taste of Suzhou. The amount of dishes is not large, the dishes are exquisitely arranged, and there is a feeling of internet celebrity. It's a bit expensive!

After dinner, take a stroll along Pingjiang Road, an ancient historical district. There are numerous shops on both sides of the block, with white walls, gray tiles, and wooden doors and windows. The street is characterized by parallel water and land, adjacent to rivers and streets, and is a typical Jiangnan water city. As night falls, the colorful lights add a touch of modernity to the ancient street. Unfortunately, I had been thinking about buying shrimp pancakes again before going, but I didn't see them this time.

There are numerous water towns and ancient towns within the jurisdiction of Suzhou, which are as famous as Li and Zhouzhuang. We specially selected Luzhi and Mudu this time, avoiding crowds and noise, and quietly savoring the small town.

Setting off early in the morning, the morning peak in Suzhou is also quite spectacular.

Luzhi is located in the southeast of Suzhou City and has a long history. The ancient city does not accept tickets and is an open scenic area. We followed the path where the residents entered and exited, and then entered the ancient city. Quickly, we arrived at the main scenic area running north-south, centered around a small river, with shops and scenic spots on both sides. Slowly walking on the mottled slate road, surrounded by numerous ancient bridges and ancient buildings, with white walls and black tiles, highlighting the traces of time. Here, there are three steps, one bridge, and five steps, one alley. The alleys and alleys are intertwined, and tourists are few and far between. They can see more of the original ecological living conditions of the local residents. We seem to have suddenly integrated into the slow life here, sitting by the small river, daydreaming and basking in the sun, letting the flowing water and small boats drift by.

In the ancient town, there were scattered students sketching, each taking pictures and depicting their own world. They have integrated into the picture, forming their own scenery, embellishing the peaceful and peaceful ancient town.

We spent the whole morning leisurely in the ancient town, and on the way back to Suzhou City at noon, we visited the Li Gong Causeway in Jinji Lake.

Jinji Lake, located in Suzhou Industrial Park, is different from the ancient city area of Gusu. It features Suzhou's new landmark, the Oriental Gate skyscraper, and the eye-catching "big autumn pants", showcasing another side of Suzhou's modern style.

Li Gongdi is the only long dike in Jinji Lake. The Li Gong Causeway in my imagination is similar to the Su Di Bai Causeway in West Lake, Hangzhou. Pedestrians walk on the embankment, with flowers blooming and willows green. Looking around, the two sides are wide lake surfaces and endless scenery. But it wasn't until we arrived that we realized it was more like a modern town, with a plethora of foreign brands and domestic time-honored shops interspersed with restaurants of various flavors. Walking along the boardwalk to the lakeside, the Li Gong Embankment Cruise Terminal locked its doors alone, with no boats surrounding it. Looking across from the lake, tall buildings reflect in the water, and the clouds in the sky are thick, appearing a bit cold. The large lotus leaves in the nearby lake fill the pond layer by layer, adorned with several pink flower buds waiting to bloom, which are particularly beautiful.

For lunch, I plan to go to Yuxingji recommended by my best friend and have three shrimp noodles. I did my homework in advance, and the signature three shrimp noodles and bald butter there represent the local specialty cuisine of Suzhou. Three Shrimp Noodles is made by frying the most precious shrimp seeds, shrimp brains and shrimps from the seeded river shrimps in the Taihu Lake Lake around the Dragon Boat Festival. Because of strict seasonal requirements, it is said that they are only sold for three months a year. It's time for us to eat now. Bald butter refers to stir frying the dismantled crab meat and crab paste with ginger garlic oil wine into crab meal, which is used as a topping for noodles. Looking forward to seeing the pictures!

The first branch we were looking for got lost near a narrow alley on the navigation. After turning around, the prompt became even more chaotic. We went to the second branch and found a storefront by an equally narrow road. However, in the narrow ancient city area of Gusu, parking became a problem, and we had to give up. It's getting late, my husband suggested going back to the noodle shop downstairs of the hotel to have a simple lunch, and then going out to eat and drink in the evening. If I feel unwilling, I can only do so.

The Dongwu Noodle Restaurant at the entrance of the hotel has a small storefront, but later it was discovered that it is a national chain of Suzhou time-honored brands with numerous stores. There are various types of noodles and rice covers, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover the signature of Three Shrimp Noodles. I must order three shrimp noodles! My parents and husband also ordered their own meals or noodles, and my noodles are more expensive than all three of them. The toppings for noodles and three shrimp are presented separately. Noodles are typical Soviet style noodles, and the thin cylindrical noodles have been mixed well, making them very chewy and flavorful. Shrimp seems to be a separate side dish, with shrimp seeds and no extra ingredients. I like this pure feeling. The taste of shrimp is very light. A whole plate can be sprinkled into the noodles and stirred to eat, or you can savor it individually bit by bit. It feels quite satisfying to eat.

The rain in Suzhou comes and goes, sometimes big or small. Our long lunch break was accompanied by the incessant sound of rain.

Depart in the evening and head to the vicinity of the Oriental Gate's "Big Autumn Pants" for dinner. The hotel we booked this time is between the old urban area of Gusu and Jinji Lake, and it is very convenient to take a taxi. The Oriental Gate is the tallest building in Suzhou, integrating hotels, office buildings, and large shopping malls. Arriving near the building and looking up at the towering building, one may not be able to see its full view if it is too close, but one can walk from different directions and view the building from different angles. The rainy ground is like a mirror, reflecting the reflection of the building, adding a sense of vitality to the modern atmosphere.

For dinner, we selected the Nanjing flagship stall upstairs in the shopping mall. The familiar environment and taste, the most desirable thing here is the small amount of dishes, allowing you to taste several different delicacies. Chicken sauce white fish, duck blood vermicelli soup, crab meal tofu, snails, shredded radish cake, hairy blood soup, etc., scattered all over a large table.

After dinner, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the small door next to our dining table led directly to an outdoor outdoor platform. It was getting dark, and the lights outside were dim. Various colored lights decorated towering buildings with different shapes, and the lights changed into brilliant colors. The modern buildings we saw during the day had completely changed their appearance, with buildings of different heights echoing each other, adding a charming and colorful charm.

On the third day, we moved once and stayed at the Nanlin Hotel where we had stayed before. This is the old urban area of Gusu, right on Shiquan Street, where food and play are very convenient. After breakfast, avoid the rush hour early and set off with luggage.

Mudu Ancient Town is more like the backyard of Suzhou urban area, with only a 20 kilometer journey, where you can go for a stroll or daydream at any time.

Passing through the spacious tourist center, we entered the ancient city. Compared to Luzhi, this place appears to be much larger in scale, with a wider river surface. Unexpectedly, a hand drawn wooden boat sways on the water surface, and the streets and alleys on both sides of the river are also wider. The buildings built along the river have white walls and black tiles, and green trees become shade, showing a more grand and imposing style. Small bridges and pavilions connect the streets, alleys, and waterways, adding dynamism and spirituality to the ancient town. Tired of walking, sitting in the courtyard, leaning against the railing and gazing into the distance, the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan is in full view. In the old street, there are hidden deep courtyards and numerous scenic spots and historical sites. These ancient and well preserved gardens have great artistic and cultural value. Especially the popular legend: this is a place where the King of Wu favored Xishi, with a romantic touch.

For lunch, we returned to the old city area of Suzhou and arrived at the old Suzhou tea and restaurant that had been visited many times, right at the entrance of the Nanlin Hotel. To keep the main dish, it must be stir fried and shrimp peeled by hand! I just like this pure feeling, it's just that the shrimp is too small, it's considered exquisite.

In the afternoon, I visited the Canglang Pavilion near the hotel. Canglang Pavilion, along with Lion Grove, Humble Administrator's Garden, and Lingering Garden, are collectively known as the four famous gardens in Suzhou. Entering the park, you will face a large area of rockeries, on which is the famous Canglang Pavilion. Traveling along the corridor, the gardens are not large, and the rockeries can be seen everywhere. They are very close to the corridor, and the overall feeling is too compact, a bit crowded and oppressive, not vast, which is not my favorite style.

Walking back to the hotel, we visited the Nanyuan Hotel, which is right across from our residence in Nanlin. The Nanyuan Hotel is very imposing and is Chiang Kai shek's villa in Suzhou. It is known as the Suzhou State Guesthouse due to its reception of many national leaders and foreign heads of state. The garden style villa area is elegant and pleasant.

Dinner was enjoyed at the Manjiangyu Chinese Restaurant near the hotel. The group purchase package was very affordable, with fish, crabs, and vegetables. Once again, I tasted the delicious food of Suzhou.

The precious time on the morning of the return journey cannot be wasted. We will visit the nearby Wangshiyuan for sightseeing. Wangshiyuan is a representative of Suzhou gardens, with a clever layout. In the middle is a large pond, and the surrounding buildings are built around the pond. Visitors can enjoy the garden scenery from various angles while traveling along the corridor. Pavilions, towers, and pavilions are arranged in a neat and orderly manner, with small bridges and winding paths leading to tranquility. The garden is small and exquisite, yet not crowded or disorderly. I really like this style of small garden.

In the afternoon, I will take the high-speed train home and pick up my son at the airport in the evening. A perfect and compact itinerary.

Every time you visit Suzhou, you will appreciate its beauty from different perspectives, gentle and elegant yet modern and atmospheric. The small mountains and waters, small bridges and gardens, small emotions and melodies, and small flavors of Gusu leave a lasting impression on people.

two thousand and twenty-one point seven