Suzhou Travel Pros Prefer the More Authentic Xiangcheng
When it comes to traveling in Suzhou, many first think of Gusu District. As Suzhou's traditional old town, Gusu indeed preserves a wealth of the city's precious history and culture from over the years. With Suzhou's rapid economic development, traveling in Suzhou is no longer just about the single Gusu model.
More and more travelers who love uncovering niche, authentic culture have gradually discovered Xiangcheng, a hidden gem with many trendy new photo spots that are well worth a closer look. Nature, culture, cuisine, nightlife... Today's Xiangcheng has become an important travel destination in Suzhou.
The first time I heard about Meirentui (Beauty's Leg), I was filled with curiosity and imagination about this scenic spot. It wasn’t until I actually arrived that I suddenly realized the name comes from the shape of this area, which remarkably resembles a beautiful woman's leg. At the same time, this is also one of the birthplaces of Wu culture, home to the treasured 'Ten Wonders of Xiangcheng' historical and cultural landscapes.
Walking on Meirentui Island, everything feels so naturally comfortable. The shimmering lake, pastoral scenery, lush green trees, and clusters of flowers... No wonder that every weekend, city dwellers from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai love escaping to this idyllic retreat.
Rather than asking what must-see attractions there are, it’s better to calm your mind, pick an ideal relaxing spot, and simply walk along the lake or zone out. Isn’t that a kind of enjoyment in itself? This area has already formed a certain scale and system around family trips and farmhouse fun. All sorts of one-stop resort hotels, delicious eateries, and fun places are gathered here.
Especially with autumn approaching, this place will surely become even more popular thanks to the arrival of Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs. Before the crowds rush in, seize the tail end of summer and let loose here!
When it comes to the second treasure area of Yangcheng Lake, I believe many would also place Lianhua Island (Lotus Island) on that list. Much like the naming of Meirentui, Lianhua Island gets its name from its shape, which closely resembles a blooming lotus.
No vehicles are allowed on the entire island, and only about 300 original households still live here raising hairy crabs, making the natural scenery especially enchanting. As you stroll along the lakeside scenic corridor, though the lotus season has passed, you can still admire many beautiful white lotus flowers here.
Across the vast stretches of lawn, large flocks of birds occasionally fly past. In that instant, you feel so close and integrated with nature. There are also many children’s play facilities on the lawn, giving parents a well-deserved break.
Be aware that boats only dock roughly once an hour, so be sure to check detailed official information at the pier before heading to the island to avoid missing the boat. Speaking of the pier, one can’t miss the Yangcheng Lake Tourist Distribution Center Pier, hailed as one of the 'world’s most beautiful passenger terminals'.
The pier features a minimalist design, with uneven pillars interwoven, looking from afar like a seaside thatched hut, evoking a strong vacation vibe. It has also become a new trendy photo spot in Suzhou, drawing countless passing tourists to snap photos.
The island also has attractions like the Memory Garden, Lotus Book House, family fun park, and barbecue area. You can explore these spots to gain deeper insight into island life, or bring your dear family and friends for a fresh and unique holiday.
As the first museum in China dedicated to showcasing the 'imperial kiln golden bricks,' the Suzhou Imperial Kiln Golden Brick Museum aims to protect profound cultural heritage through architectural organization and creation. The museum has a main building as its core, covering areas such as the imperial kiln site, a contemporary art exchange center, and a cluster of ruined kiln sites.
The golden bricks earned their name as high-quality floor tiles exclusively used in palace buildings during the Ming and Qing dynasties, enjoying a lofty status in history. Through a systematic museum tour, we can learn in depth from the guide about the historical significance, features, uses, and production process of these bricks. Finally, in the interactive area, you can even learn to make a golden brick yourself under a teacher’s guidance.
The entire museum was designed by renowned architect Liu Jiakun. From the entrance, you’ll gradually feel the trendy Insta-worthy design elements. Many visitors even come dressed in retro outfits for photos, instantly feeling as if they’ve traveled back to ancient times.
Nestled at the junction of Suzhou and Wuxi, Feng Menglong Village offers the most unspoiled, natural rural flavor. I recall that just a few years ago, this village was still called 'Xinxiang Village.' It was later renamed in honor of Feng Menglong, a significant master of folk literature in Chinese history.
The Feng Menglong Village area now features a series of attractions including Feng Menglong’s Former Residence, Feng Menglong Memorial Hall, and Feng Menglong Academy, all of which are free for visitors. Through such a unique exploration trip, I believe you’ll gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the great historical achievements made by this remarkable figure.
Thanks to the simple local customs and superior natural surroundings, the Feng Menglong area now offers a series of holiday programs: museum visits, fruit picking, farmhouse dining, ancient village tours, and more. It’s a rare chance for city folks to escape the urban grind—isn’t it time to relax your body and mind here?
Located in the bustling center of Xiangcheng, Suzhou, near the Huolidao commercial area, Wuzhen Daoyuan (Enlightenment Taoist Temple) was built in the third year of the Chunxi era of the Song Dynasty, over 800 years ago. The temple takes the legend of Gu Kaizhi as its cultural theme, blending history and local customs into a distinctive cultural tourism site.
Strolling through it, profound cultural heritage greets you at every turn. By chance, I encountered a blessing ceremony here, and from the monks’ devout chanting, you could sense their yearning and flavor for an ideal life.
Opened to the public just this year, Suzhou No. 2 Workers’ Cultural Palace combines culture and art, sports and fitness, education and training, and employee services. It’s an ideal weekend escape for both adults and children. The palace houses a cinema, basketball court, table tennis hall, swimming pool, exhibition halls, training classrooms, and many other public facilities catering to various needs.
Many local young people love to hang out here. Whatever kind of fitness enthusiast you are, you’ll find a community and like-minded friends. The design is also exceptionally striking, with numerous photo-worthy spots. Especially on sunny afternoons, when beams of light stream through the glass windows and cast reflections on the walls, it's the perfect time for photos—be sure not to miss it.
As another new member of the Suzhou Library family, the Second Library officially opened at the end of last year and boasts the only large-scale intelligent integrated book storage system in the country. Its service areas include a digital experience zone, smart three-dimensional book storage, a music library, Suzhou literature gallery, design library, children’s library, and more, all designed to create a cozy and comfortable 'citizens’ study.'
The library’s design is also a major highlight. Especially when the afternoon sun streams through the glass and spills into the space, the interplay of light and shadow, combined with the artsy exhibitions, adds a unique flavor to the Second Library.
There are plenty of photo opportunities inside, such as the entrance and interior of the music library, which feature many trendy, avant-garde, and vintage elements worth exploring and savoring.
The first stop for a food hunt in Xiangcheng is Yumi Zhixiang Shibazao (Land of Fish and Rice, Eighteen Stoves)! The restaurant’s antique design style quickly caught our eye. In the courtyard, there’s an iconic stage where professional opera performances take place every evening at dusk, creating a strong sense of ceremony.
Dining can be enjoyed either on the outdoor terrace or in more private, quiet rooms. Here, the ingredients themselves have a head start. As for the signature dishes, it’s hard to count them all on both hands: farmhouse chicken soup, soy sauce river shrimp, roast duck, steamed chicken soup bowls, 'June Yellow' crabs, and more...
During hairy crab season, if you don’t book about half a month in advance, queuing is just part of the deal. Dining in such an elegant setting with authentic farmhouse fare costs around 150 yuan per person, offering great value.
If you’re not guided by a local insider, it’s easy to end up being turned away at this restaurant. As the well-known Chinese restaurant under the Suzhou Yangcheng Lake Xike Hotel, Yangcheng Yuyin (Hermitage on Yangcheng) enjoys great fame and is considered among the top-rated Chinese restaurants in the Yangcheng Lake area.
The restaurant’s design style is exceptionally elegant, adopting a Japanese-inspired aesthetic. Taking photos in the outdoor area is a surefire way to get stunning shots. Peaceful lake, lush foxtail grass, quiet paths, simply designed houses... It’s hard to believe that a place in such pristine surroundings is a countryside eatery.
But it’s not just about the design; the Jiangsu-Zhejiang dishes here are also of a very high standard. The edamame noodle-dredged 'June Yellow' crab is a signature, with plump crab meat and a rich, flavorful sauce that’s simply irresistible. The restaurant’s specialty red-braised pork is also a must-try—while it looks fatty, it’s actually melt-in-your-mouth and not greasy at all. Other dishes like steamed white fish and the house-made free-range chicken soup are consistently excellent, well worth recommending.
With such a refined setting and exquisite cuisine, the average cost per person here is higher than the previous place, at around 250 yuan. You can choose based on your preferred ambiance and style—both are fantastic local farmhouse restaurants.
This is a farmhouse restaurant located at the entrance of Feng Menglong’s former residence village. Compared to the previous two, this one is much smaller in scale, with more authentic and homely dishes. The atmosphere is very quiet, another big reason why many people choose it.
Red-braised pork, assorted fish, beef fillets with green peppers, braised fish, scrambled eggs... You can savor a variety of homestyle dishes here. Not far from the entrance are large lotus ponds and grape vineyards. Slowing down here to soak in the rural life, you’ll find that you grow even fonder of the life around you.
As a native Cantonese, my favorite evening activity is visiting night markets. Even in Suzhou, I can never sit still at night and always look for a place where I can stroll in flip-flops and enjoy casual eating and drinking. Huolidao Night Market, currently the largest night market area in Xiangcheng, is sure to become a new favorite for many.
The entire Huolidao Night Market is extensive, even larger than many night markets we’ve visited in Taipei. The goods are dazzling and plentiful, with something for everyone. Although the stalls are generally small, it’s not hard to find good bargains.
Fresh fruits and produce often cost less than at the market. Many local fruit farmers have applied for stalls and sell their goods here every evening. Fun games and entertainment also abound—arcade machines, live karaoke, and more are great crowd-pullers.
If you get tired browsing the night market, find a small eatery and kick off your late-night snack adventure. On the last evening of this memorable Suzhou trip, we opted for a barbecue at a street-side stall. Amid the lively Huolidao Night Market, it was a rare find to have a nook where we could chat freely with friends, sip beer, and enjoy grilled skewers. Just imagine such blissful moments—when was the last time you truly savored them?
In addition to Huolidao Night Market, there are others: the trendy and artistic Wangting Night Market in the 'Rice Fragrance Town,' and the High-Speed Rail New Town Night Market, which combines a friend’s market, a lipstick art exhibition, a new city food street, and a campus talent contest. All are worth checking out one by one.
The hotel is situated on Meirentui Island in the Suzhou Yangcheng Lake Tourist Resort, blessed with a unique natural landscape. Built by the lake, it features an outdoor swimming pool, lawns, a red sand pit, and a German Haba children’s playground, making it a popular weekend family getaway for travelers from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai.
The hotel’s rooms feature a simple, stylish design. Overlooking Yangcheng Lake from the balcony, you have a peaceful and cozy afternoon at your fingertips. A short walk takes you to the Lianhua Island pier, and nearby attractions like farmhouses, Huayi Brothers Movie World, and Lianchi Lake Park are also great for relaxation.
If you prefer to stay closer to Xiangcheng’s city center, I highly recommend the Suzhou Zhonghui Pullman Hotel, which opened just last year. Located in the heart of Xiangcheng, it greatly emphasizes elements of art, high tech, and vibrancy. The Pullman brand has always focused on integrating art and culture, so be sure to visit the Pullman Art Gallery; the many artists’ works promise to give you an invigorating and unique travel experience.
The aforementioned new popular photo spots—the Suzhou Second Library, Suzhou Imperial Kiln Golden Brick Museum, and Suzhou No. 2 Workers’ Cultural Palace—are all within a 20-minute drive from the hotel, making transportation very convenient.
Day 1: Arrive at Suzhou North Railway Station at noon, take a taxi or drive to Suzhou Xike Hotel. In the afternoon, take a stroll around the hotel or enjoy the outdoor pool. In the evening, dine at Yumi Zhixiang Shibazao. At night, head to Cunshang Hushe for a hands-on craft experience.
Day 2: In the morning, visit Lianhua Island. Have lunch at Yangcheng Yuyin. In the afternoon, explore Suzhou No. 2 Workers’ Cultural Palace, Suzhou Second Library, and Suzhou Imperial Kiln Golden Brick Museum. In the evening, dine at Huolidao and browse the night market.
Day 3: In the morning, visit Wuzhen Daoyuan and Feng Menglong Village. Have lunch at a farmhouse restaurant near Feng Menglong Village, then wrap up your Xiangcheng trip.
