One-Day Self-Drive Trip from Shanghai to Changshu in 2014: Yan Garden, Zeng-Zhao Garden, Weng Tonghe Memorial Hall, Jusha Pagoda

June 28, 2014. That year, Shanghai's summer heat arrived slowly, and no days in late June had temperatures above 30°C. In comparison, from 2009 to 2013, the number of days in late June with highs over 30°C were 7, 3, 7, 3, and 4 days respectively, including some days over 35°C. Taking advantage of the rare break after days of rain, I took a self-drive trip to Changshu.

Before I learned to drive in spring 2010, I had never visited Changshu, even though it isn't far from Shanghai. I later made two self-drive trips there, in October 2010 and September 2011, visiting Yushan, Shanghu Lake, Xingfu Temple, Fangta Garden, and other spots. This trip was mainly to fill in the gaps: I visited Yan Garden, Zeng-Zhao Garden, Caiyi Hall (the Weng Tonghe Memorial Hall), and Jusha Pagoda. Three of these are National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units, and one is a Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

One of my elementary school classmates hitched a ride to Changshu, and he visited Xingfu Temple and Fangta Garden. Finally, we took a detour to Suzhou together to enjoy our mutual favorite, Zhuhongxing noodles.

The whole trip covered 334 kilometers, about 50 kilometers more than a direct round trip from Shanghai to Changshu due to the Suzhou detour. The picture below is of the Yushan city wall—I didn't have time to climb it, so I just took a quick photo at the entrance.

At 8:50 a.m., I set off from my home in Pudong, Shanghai. I drove to pick up my elementary school classmate near Shanghai West Railway Station, which took some time through city traffic.

At 10:13 a.m., I arrived at the Jiading Toll Station on the Hujia Expressway, having driven 46 km.

At 10:31, I reached the Zhuqiao Toll Station on the Shenhai Expressway, 57 km total, toll 10 yuan.

At 10:41, I arrived at the Taicang Main Line Toll Station on the Shenhai Expressway, 68 km total.

At 10:55, I stopped at the Shaxi Service Area on the Shenhai Expressway for a break, 84 km total.

At 11:15, I arrived at the Changshu Toll Station on the Changhe Expressway, 106 km total, toll 20 yuan. First, I dropped my classmate at Xingfu Temple.

Yan Garden, listed in May 2013 by the State Council as part of the seventh batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units, is a Qing-dynasty ancient architectural site. Admission is 10 yuan. A historical introduction to Yan Garden.

Zeng Garden and Zhao Garden are combined into one scenic area, known as Zeng-Zhao Garden. Admission is 30 yuan, and a lotus flower show was being held at the time. It is a Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Remnants of ancient sites along a road in downtown Changshu.

Caiyi Hall, listed on November 20, 1996, as part of the fourth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units, is a Ming-dynasty ancient architectural site. Caiyi Hall is the Weng Tonghe Memorial Hall, and admission is free. Behind the memorial hall is the Changshu Number-One Scholars Historical Exhibition Hall.

Among Changshu's attractions, the ticket for Yushan is not expensive, but Shajiabang and Shanghu Lake seem quite pricey—a combined ticket costs 150 yuan.

Jusha Pagoda, also part of the seventh batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units in May 2013, is a Song-dynasty ancient architectural site. Admission is 10 yuan. Unlike the other places I visited, Jusha Pagoda isn't in central Changshu but in Meili Town, just north of the Changshu exit on the Changhe Expressway.

I picked up my classmate at the entrance of Fangta Garden. The Chongjiao Xingfu Temple Pagoda in the picture below, which was under renovation, is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

At 5:25 p.m., I arrived at the Shajiabang Toll Station on the Changtai Expressway, 185 km total.

At 5:45, I reached the Suzhou Toll Station on the Huning Expressway, 213 km total, toll 15 yuan. After entering downtown Suzhou, we drove straight to Zhuhongxing Noodle Shop in Xizhongshi.

A bowl of freshly stir-fried eel shred noodles cost just 15 yuan, which felt like a good deal. I had already been to this noodle shop three times this June—I'm practically a regular. After eating, I even bought some fresh noodles to take home; this time I got 12 jin (6 kilograms).

At 6:53 p.m., I returned to the Suzhou Toll Station on the Huning Expressway, 229 km total.

At 7:27 p.m., I reached the Huaqiao Toll Station on the Huning Expressway, 277 km total, toll 25 yuan.

At 7:46, I arrived at the Jiangqiao Toll Station on the Huning Expressway, 300 km total, toll 15 yuan.

At 8:50 p.m., I got back to my home in Pudong, Shanghai. The trip totaled 334 kilometers.