在苏州什么景点最热？人少好玩的地方哪里找？哪里可以吃到最经典的、时下最火热的美食？“Suzhou in Depth”带你探索不曾发现的苏州之美。
"Suzhou in Depth" Chapter Eight: Kunshan
Situated between Shanghai and downtown Suzhou, Kunshan, where Kunqu Opera originated, boasts a long history and numerous historic figures. To its north, there are Changshu and Taicang; to the south, there are Jiading and Qingpu districts of Shanghai; and to the west, there is Wujiang district and downtown Suzhou.
Day 1
9:00
Jinxi Ancient Town锦溪古镇
Hailed as the "hometown of Chinese folk museums," Jinxi owns an array of historic and cultural sites and is celebrated for its "36 bridges and 72 kilns." The old streets were built along the creeks and have retained the primitive styles of ancient water town. Local snacks and antique shops can be found everywhere.
Attraction:
Water Tomb of Concubine Chen陈妃水冢: The tomb sits right in the Wubao Lake. It is surprising that regardless of the water level, the tomb is always in view.
Lianchi Buddhist Monastery莲池禅院: The monastery lies beside Wubao Lake. You can see Water Tomb of Concubine Chen from here.
Antique Museum (古董博物馆): The three-story museum houses more than 6,000 antiques, covering ceramics, paintings, jade articles, furniture, etc.
Opening hours: The town: All day; paid attractions: 8:00-17:00 (April to October), 8:00-16:30 (November to March)
Tickets: RMB50 yuan for access to all paid attractions, including Ma Ruote Clay Sculpture Studio, Ding's Residence, Zhangsheng Art Gallery, Pot Museum, Jinshi House, Xuanjuan Museum
Restaurant: Suzhou Renjia (苏州人家), Yuehuge Teahouse悦湖阁茶楼
Stopover: 5 hours (including lunch)
↓ Take a cab, about 20 minutes and RMB30 yuan
14:30
Zhouzhuang周庄古镇
Acclaimed as the "No. 1 water town in China," Zhouzhuang owns 600-plus structures of Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties that still remain intact and 14 ancient stone bridges built in Yuan (1271-1368), Ming and Qing dynasties. Over 800 families live next to the creeks with 60 percent of houses keeping the styles of Ming and Qing dynasties. The town at night is also unmissable. You can take a boat trip and appreciate a number of internet-famous sites on the way.
Attraction:
Two Bridges双桥: It consists of a stone arch bridge called Shide Bridge and a stone slab bridge called Yongan Bridge. It's also dubbed "Key Bridge" since the way the two bridges connect resembles a key in ancient times.
Shen's Hall沈厅: Built in the Qing Dynasty, it has over 100 rooms and covers an area of 2,000 square meters.
Zhang's Hall张厅: Built in the Ming Dynasty, it has some 70 rooms and occupies over 1,800 square meters.
Opening hours: The town: 7:30-21:00; Shen's Hall, Zhang's Hall and Zhouzhuang Museum: 7:30-21:00; other attractions: 8:00-16:30
Tickets: RMB100 yuan; boat trip: 220 yuan
Restaurant: Baojinzhai宝晋斋, Laozaotou (老灶头)
Hotel: Zhengu Hall贞固堂, Blossom Hill花间堂, Chunluzhisi Resort Hotel莼鲈之思度假酒店
Stopover: 6 hours (including dinner)
Day 2
9:00
Qiandeng千灯古镇
Formerly known as Qiandun, Qiandeng has a history of more than 2,500 years and is the birthplace of Kunqu Opera. With a total length of 1.5 kilometers, the flagstone street of Qiandeng runs through the ancient town from north to south, whose main street is 800 meters long and paved with 2072 granite strips.
Attraction:
Gu Yanwu Memorial Hall顾炎武纪念馆: Gu Yanwu, a native of Qiandeng, was one of the three great ideologists in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. The memorial hall, including Gu Yanwu's former residence, Tinglin Ancestral Hall, Gu's tomb and the Gu Garden, is the top mansion of Ming and Qing dynasties in Qiandeng.
Three Bridges (三桥): It is composed of Yuandujing Bridge, Fangjingbang Bridge and Hengsheng Bridge, showing the characteristics of Song, Ming and Qing dynasties respectively.
Yanfu Temple (延福寺): It has the world's largest jade reclining Buddha statue.
Lights House of Qiandeng 千灯馆: With a history of more than three hundred years, it houses a total of 1,133 ancient lights.
Opening hours: 8:00-16:30 (no entry after 16:00)
Tickets: RMB49 yuan
Restaurant: Try the Aozao Noodle at any local noodle restaurant
Stopover: 6 hours (including lunch)
↓ Drive about 50 minutes
16:00
Bacheng Old Street巴城老街
It is said that Ba Xie, who lived near Yangcheng Lake, succeeded in solving the problem of crabs for the local people and turned them into a delicious dish. Since then, the Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs from Bacheng have become famous. You can take a walk at the Bacheng Old Street where the architectural styles of the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China (1912-1949) have been preserved.
Restaurant: You can find authentic Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs at any restaurant in Bacheng
Stopover: 3 hours (including dinner)
