Canals and Bridges in Suzhou, China - 24-Hour Travel Guide
The Grand Canal is best seen by boat (courtesy Flickr: d'n'c)
Cool architecture of the Suzhou Museum (courtesy Flickr: shadowx1978)
The waterways are most beautiful at night (courtesy Flickr: stephenhanafin)
Unique room design at the Ping Jiang Culture Lodge
Overview - Built in 514 B.C., Suzhou (pronounced sue-joe) has all the unique characteristics of a city with 2500 years of history. On your trip, you’ll discover how this beautiful “Venice of the East” survived and made its living on the water as a center of trade and a refuge for intellectuals and artists.
Breakfast - Start off with a light meal at SuCa Coffee Shop. They do a range of nice pastries, excellent breads and fantastic muffins, as well as some of the realest coffee you can find in China. You can also opt for freshly made sandwiches and soups.
Morning - Suzhou is known as the “Venice of the East” because of the many canals and waterways that wind around the city. The best place to start is with a boat ride along the Grand Canal, which departs from South Gate Dock on Renmin Road. The boat ride, which lasts about an hour and a half, takes you along the main canal in Suzhou and is accompanied by a guided tour and history of the city’s waterways. It’s also a great opportunity to take photos of some of Suzhou’s architectural gems.
Lunch - Have lunch at Song He Lou, or “Pine and Crane”, reputedly one of the oldest restaurants in China. Over 200 years old, Song He Lou is a Suzhou institution that serves local specialities like Squirrel Shaped Mandarin Fish, Marinated Duck and Braised River Eel. Though not the cheapest place in town, the food is divine and well worth a try.
Afternoon - This afternoon, check out the Suzhou Museum, which was designed by the famous architect I.M. Pei, whose is from Suzhou. The exterior of the museum is more worthwhile than what is housed inside, so don’t bother paying the entry fee – just admire the design from the outside. From there, stroll down Shantang Street, a traditional Tang Dynasty style area where you can buy trinkets and cheap souvenirs while admiring the historical feel.
Dinner - Have a cheap and cheerful dinner at A Bing Changshu Mutton Shop. This simple restaurant serves up delectable lamb and mutton stews for nearly nothing! It is a truly local joint and the hearty food is well worth the mere $3 you spend there.
After Dark - Once the sun has set, take a walk over to Suzhou University, one of the most prominent universities in China. On the way, admire the lovely, moonlit canals and quaint, ancient buildings. Afterwards, have a few drinks at one of the many lively bars along Shi Quan Street. Pulp Fiction is a favorite among expats. Just be careful, as there are several prostitute bars on the street and sometimes unsavoury characters about.
Sleep - Ping Jiang Culture Lodge is a full service hotel located just along one of Suzhou’s idyllic canals. You’ll love the rich, woody interior and the outdoor tables are a great place to cool off with an iced tea beside the canal. They have free wifi, a bar and restaurant and business center. The coolest aspect of this hotel, though, is the design of the rooms, which are decorated in historical Chinese style with lots of dark wood, sliding panel doors and freestanding bathtubs!