Taihu Lake

⛰️ Dongshan, also known as Dongting East Mountain, is located in Wuzhong District, Suzhou. It is a peninsula extending into Taihu Lake, surrounded by water on three sides, with vast lake views merging with the sky. It is known as the 'Little Kamakura of Suzhou', giving me the illusion of being far away from the city. From Xishan to Qiyuan—Daixin Bay—Shijing (bus station)—Luxiang Ancient Village—Frog Village—along the Ring Mountain Road—along the Binhu Boulevard—leaving Dongshan It's actually just circling Dongshan along the edge of Taihu Lake. 📷 Recommended photo spots: ✔️ Daixin Bay The first lakeside bridge after entering Dongshan from Xishan, because it has a curve, facing Taihu Lake and backing against Moli Peak, the scenery is particularly beautiful. It is also a place where many self-driving tourists stop to check in. It's especially comfortable to feel the lake breeze here. ✔️ Shijing (bus station) Also a pretty curve, right below Moli Peak, but I personally prefer Daixin Bay. ✔️ Frog Village This village has many frog elements and an abandoned amusement park. Currently, apart from residents, there are some residential houses (visible), but nothing else. If you have time, you can take a walk; if you're in a hurry, skip it. ✔️ The scenery along the way is actually quite nice, and if you find something you like, you can stop to take pictures. Parking on the roadside is generally friendly. ⚠️ Pay attention to proper parking, do not obstruct the passage of other vehicles, and also be careful when taking photos, as it is still by the roadside. 📷 Other check-in spots: ✔️ Luxiang Ancient Village, known as the first ancient village of Taihu Lake, has an ancient street from the Ming Dynasty, with three Ming Dynasty archways of 'Tan Hua, Hui Yuan, and Jie Yuan'. This is also the hometown of Wang Ao, a prime minister during the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty. ✔️ Diao Hua Lou, the entire building is exquisitely decorated with brick carvings, wood carvings, gilding, stone carvings, color paintings, clay sculptures... and is known as 'the first building in the south of the Yangtze River' for its intricate craftsmanship. ✔️ Sanshan Island, the ferry terminal is diagonally opposite Frog Village. Park your car here and take a boat to the island. ✔️ Other places like Qiyuan, Twenty-Four Bends, Ciyun An, Yuhua Shengjing... are worth visiting if you have time. 🏍️🚴 I also met many cyclists along the way. Here, you will feel that riding a motorcycle is a very cool thing to do, with beautiful scenery and good road conditions, making it perfect for cycling. PS: Dongshan also has many specialties, such as Biluochun tea from March to April, loquats from April to May, bayberries that just hit the market in June, and oranges in autumn (Zhou Xun's 'The Oranges Are Red' was filmed in Dongshan).

Can we still find a place during the long holiday that has enough beautiful scenery, few enough people, and traffic that is not congested? I would never dare to travel within the country during the National Day holiday in the past, but this time I want to try. After about a month of research, I set my sights on Taihu Lake, especially Huzhou, which I have long wanted to visit. As I was researching, I found out that there is no such place as the ancient town of Huzhou. When people talk about traveling to Huzhou, they are actually referring to a series of ancient towns scattered around the south of Taihu Lake. To meet the aforementioned three conditions, I avoided those well-known popular ancient towns and chose a few that are less known, but highly regarded by the locals. Such ancient towns have a low degree of commercialization, are home to many local natives, and lack flashy neon lights and loud music. That is the true waterside residence in my heart. The first stop in Huzhou was thus set to be Zhenshan Ancient Town, a 2000-year-old human settlement that began to be established during the Tang Dynasty and quickly became the gateway to the Grand Canal from Beijing to Hangzhou. In Zhenshan, I always see the shadow of Venice, with the commercial buildings by the river having warehouses on the lower floors and residences on the upper floors, and the doors facing a private freight dock, neatly parked with several cargo ships. It was only after some research that I found out that this place was also a drainage lake in ancient times, 'first a torrent, then a marsh, and finally a patchwork of fields and lanes'. Although the ancient town is a 4A-level scenic spot, it is not crowded with tourists. The sparse flow of people gives the ancient town a sense of breathability, allowing one to slowly relax. On the second evening at Taihu Lake, it was still a case of seeing clouds but no sun. Although the sun was hiding, it generously provided a sky full of sunset colors. I think this may be the charm of Taihu Lake in autumn. The crisp autumn air makes even the humidity of this great lake compromise a bit, giving a pleasant surprise to the travelers each day.

Xiaxia Bay Plum Garden is located within the territory of Jinting Town, Wuzhong District, Suzhou City √ Here, plum trees form forests → Under the swathes of plum blossoms, there are also ponds! The water surface reflects the vast plum groves / The stone bridges and channels, under the reflection, create a picturesque scene + The atmosphere is incredibly beautiful ❃ It's like accidentally entering a pink world ♣ Attracting countless tourists to come and play ♣ It's really worth coming to see for yourself! 【Attraction Tips】❤ √ About the admission fee ☞ 50 yuan/adult (Free for Suzhou Leisure Year Card holders) ❤ √ About the scenic spot's features ¶ ▶ Scenic spot ☞ The most characteristic part is that → there are channels under the plum blossoms / there are stone bridges over the channels Small bridges / The reflection of plum blossoms in the water is super beautiful → Standing on the bridge, you are surrounded by a sea of plum blossoms, which is especially atmospheric ♣ The plum groves here are low and dense → Walking through the plum forest requires bending over ❤ ▶ Plum blossoms ☞ The most beautiful aspect here is → the sight of plum petals falling into the channels → It's a delightful view ❤ ▶ Food ☞ Highly recommend the nearby Dao Yin → a Chinese garden restaurant / There are also snack stalls next to the plum grove ❤ √ About recommended nearby check-in spots ☞ Linwu Cave, Mingyue Bay, Piaomiao Peak, etc. / Very worthwhile attractions to visit ❤ √ About the photography guide ¶ ▶ Outfits ☞ Wear light-colored clothes such as Hanfu, Qipao, dresses, etc. → You'll take great photos ❤ ▶ Camera positions ☞ Highly recommend the stone bridge in the plum tree grove and the last row of plum trees on the west side → They are very photogenic ❤ ▶ Timing ☞ Wait until around 5 pm when the light is softer / there will be fewer people → The photos will look better ❤ ▶ Tips ☞ You can take photos on both sides of the channel → You can capture the reflection in the water / You can also bring a picnic mat and lay it under the plum grove → This way the photos will look more natural ❤ √ About opening hours ☞ 8:00—17:00 (Entry stops at 16:30) ✈ About transportation ¶ √ Address: Xiaxia Bay Fruit Tree Seedling Base, Jinting Town, Wuzhong District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province √ Transportation route ☞ Take Metro Line 5 → Get off at Taihu Xiangshan Station → Transfer to bus 691 at Taihu Tourist Center Station → Get off at CCB Xishan Branch Processing Station to Jinting Town Government Station and transfer to bus 695 → Get off at Dongcai South Station → You will arrive ❤ √ Self-driving navigation → Xiaxia Bay Road, Xishan, Suzhou 【Travel Tips】 √ Equipment ☞ It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and clothing / bring hats, sunglasses, and other sun protection gear ❤ √ Playtime ☞ Suitable for all seasons → The best time to enjoy plum blossoms is from late February to mid-March every year, it is suggested to visit on weekday mornings to avoid crowds, and after viewing the flowers, you can also go to Mingyue Bay Pier to watch the sunset ❤ √ Transportation ☞ It is recommended to drive there / there is a free parking lot ❤

Every year in March and April, when the gentle spring breeze turns the land of Jiangnan green, the cherry blossom girls will come as promised, and the Turtle Head Isle on the bank of Taihu Lake in Wuxi, Jiangsu, becomes an ocean of cherry blossoms. Along the Great Wall Bridge by the lake, along the cherry blossom valley of Nandu Mountain, tens of thousands of cherry blossoms bloom enchantingly under the cover of green mountains and waters. Thousands of acres of cherry trees extend from the lake to the valley and the river, which is quite elegant. Clusters of red cherry blossoms, red as if dyed, accompanied by light green leaves with a hint of light red, look from a distance like the morning glow at dawn. And the white cherry blossoms are as white as little white clouds, with red stamens dotted in them, like countless pink gems embedded in white silk, under the green leaves, it is truly beautiful as a painting. Some of these cherry blossoms stand on the branches, waiting to bloom; some are smiling, happily welcoming the arrival of spring light. Wandering on the path, inadvertently a spring breeze blew, in an instant, the beautiful scene of a sky full of flower rain descended on the world! The sky turned into countless red and white dots, fluttering and sprinkling, the dancing seemed not to be petals, but spirits with a short life, spinning and dancing in the air. Walking under the cherry blossom trees, stepping on the secluded path in the forest, all the way along the mountains and waters, all the way with birds and flowers. The lake breeze comes slowly, the air is filled with a faint fragrance, it is an indescribable feeling, just feel comfortable, leisurely, tranquil. It is really a ten-mile fragrant path, ten miles of fragrance.

The nearest excursion with lot of travel availability, that you can take from Shanghai is Suzhou. With all of my friends, we drove the car to the Jiangsu province; as we like the road trip but not too far. Also there are very good options available, by taking the high speed train from Shanghai to Suzhou at Hongqiao railway station. Comparatively the trains are super fast, and will get you there in 40 minutes. On the first day, half of it went in driving and so we went to the Taihu lake straightaway to get some cool breeze. And the serenity and peace it gave us is immense. I always have had deep thoughts when sitting in front of water, and it goes as deep as the water in front of you 😍. We grabbed some coffee and spent the evening there; couldn't move away though. The Suzhou eye is the highlight. The next day was a visit to the famous Tiger hill. As it was a national holiday as well, we have to wait in the line to get tickets and get inside; which took 1 hour. Then we went around to see the buddhas and the tower. It was a bit crowded, but we managed it. Then we went to a nearby street food, where we got to taste the local cuisine. On the last day, we don't want to venture into a crowded place; so chose to go to the Suzhou gardens where you can see the golden fishes in the pond. Then there's a nearby temple, where they have tradition of tying things in the tree that they wish. Then we drove back to Shanghai. Have a great trip guys !! #qingmingtravel #urbanexplorer #suzhoutravel #urbanexplorer#qingmingtravel#lightthecity

This October 1st, embark on a romantic journey! The autumn and sunset scenery of the romantic Mingyue Bay ancient pier. Looking forward to a sunset every day is the happiest thing about living by Taihu Lake. The sunset at Mingyue Bay is worth watching 100 times! The ancient pier of Mingyue Bay is a beautiful landscape in autumn. Every sunset, the pier is crowded with people~ The photos are absolutely beautiful! The pier, ancient trees, autumn wind, sunset, island... It's really healing. The weather is getting colder now, so the sunset time is earlier. If you want to take photos, fairy girls, you must check the sunset time in advance. The shooting time is around 16:40 in the afternoon, and it's only about 5 minutes. The sunset gradually connects with the lake surface, the water and the sky are the same color, giving a sense of peace and tranquility. The sunset here is really healing, it will make you forget all your troubles. You must choose a sunny day to watch the sunset! The evening wind is gentle, the sunset is romantic, quickly tag the person you like and encounter a wonderful sunset on the West Mountain Island of Taihu Lake!

Suzhou's Canola Flower Feast🌸, these places are free to play!✨ 🌼When the flowers bloom, the spring colors are enticing, and it's the perfect time to view the canola flowers in Suzhou! Come and save this guide to experience the romance of the sea of flowers together!💕 📍Yangcheng Lake Lotus Island Under the blue sky by the Yangcheng Lake, vast waves of canola flowers roll, like a postcard of spring💌. Every snapshot is a masterpiece!📸 📆Peak blooming period: 3.16-4.7 🚌Public transport: Take bus 87 from Suzhou Industrial Park Train Station to Xiwangqiao Bus Station 💰Scenic spot ticket: Free🆓 📍Wuzhong Taihu Sanshan Island Canola flowers are the messengers of spring💌, take a bamboo raft boat, surrounded by the fragrance and rippling blue waves. Or set up a tent by the sea of flowers to feel the embrace of nature🌿. 📆Peak blooming period: Mid to early April 🚌Transport: Take bus 624 to Dongshan Changwei Pier 💰Scenic spot ticket: 78 yuan/person 🛥️Boat ticket one-way price: 20 yuan/person, the journey is about 25 minutes 📍Zhouzhuang Xiangcun Qizhuang Away from the hustle and bustle, embrace nature🍃. Windmills sway among the fields of flowers, fragrant and overflowing, a great place for a weekend day trip!🌞 📆Peak blooming period: 3.15-4.6 🚌Transport: Take Kunshan 260/Kunshan 268 bus to Qibang Bus Station 💰Scenic spot ticket: Free🆓 📍Suzhou Xishan Zhili Ancient Village The spring water ripples, and the sea of flowers is vast🌸. The fragrance of flowers permeates the water, and cycling through it is like being in the animated world of Hayao Miyazaki🌈! 📆Peak blooming period: 3.15-4.6 🚌Transport: Take bus 697 to Zhili East Bus Station 💰Scenic spot ticket: Free🆓 📍Tongli Beilian Village 3000 acres of canola flower fields set against white walls and black tiles🏞️, miles of paths, and a golden landscape, form a beautiful picture of the beauty of southern Jiangsu!🖼️ 📆Peak blooming period: 3.15-4.6 🚌Transport: Take bus 7105 to Beilian Village Committee Bus Station 💰Scenic spot ticket: Free🆓 🌼Flowers have a date, and spring will not be missed. Come to Suzhou for a canola flower feast!🥰

🌿 Wuxi Taihu Botanical Garden, one-day in-depth tour: Spend a day exploring the Wuxi Taihu Botanical Garden. 🌅 A new day, a new exploration! In the beautiful Jiangsu, there is a hidden paradise waiting for you to uncover—that is the Wuxi Taihu Botanical Garden! 🚗 Departing from the downtown area of Wuxi, it takes only half an hour by car to reach this lush haven. 🍃 The botanical garden is located on the shore of Taihu Lake, covering a vast area, and is an excellent place to experience the charm of nature. 🌺 The garden is clearly divided into different zones, including a tropical rainforest area, a desert plant area, a water plant area, and other themed areas, allowing you to appreciate the plant life from around the world in just one day. 🌵🌴 🌼 Besides admiring plants, there are also plenty of interactive experiences. You can plant a small potted plant with your own hands and feel the growth of life; or attend a plant knowledge lecture to increase your understanding. 🌱 🍽️ For lunch, why not enjoy a green and healthy vegetarian feast at the ecological restaurant in the garden, and let your taste buds also experience the gift of nature. 🌅 As the sun sets, take a stroll along the shore of Taihu Lake, watching the afterglow of the sunset sprinkle on the lake, picturesque. 📸 Every spot here is perfect for taking photos, whether it's the close contact with plants or the beautiful sunset by Taihu Lake, you can capture a cinematic shot. 📷 💡 Tips: Although the botanical garden is open for free, some special experience activities may require reservations or a fee. Remember to check the official information in advance to avoid missing out on the highlights. 🌸🌿 Come to Wuxi Taihu Botanical Garden and start your journey into nature!

Spring has come, and when walking along the lake, there's an illusion of being in Qingdao, with greenery all around. Everywhere you look, there's catkins floating in the air, and by the river, many elderly and children are leisurely catching fish. In the early morning, strolling along Pingjiang Road, you see white walls and black tiles, small bridges over flowing water, and the blooming fragrances of osmanthus and wisteria. In the afternoon, walking around Dushu Lake, you see hydrangeas, late cherry blossoms, and maples The moving ripples, the play of light and shadow in the woods, the chance encounter with a kitten, accompanying X The flat little dog. At the Master of the Nets Garden, you view the scenes through the windows, with the mottled light and shadow, the green maple leaves fluttering in the wind, the koi fish swimming back and forth in the lake, and the crowd under the wisteria flowers is endless. At Jinji Lake, you watch the sunset amidst the crowd, wander around Eslite bookstore, go eat Suzhou-style dishes, and take a digestive stroll under the moonlight on Shantang Street. Suzhou is a beauty that cannot be fully captured in eighteen pictures, slowly changing.

Opening the appendix of an old local chronicle's map of Jiangnan, one would find it mostly covered by water ripple patterns. Beside the vast Tai Lake, cities such as Suzhou, Songjiang, Huzhou, Jiaxing, and some larger market towns appear like isolated islands floating amidst the surging ripples, as if 'water' is the essence of the earth, with land merely serving as a backdrop. Beyond the foundational water system of Tai Lake, the Jiangnan region still boasts an extremely rich array of water resources. With the Yangtze River to the north, the sea to the east, and numerous lakes and river ports internally connected, this mix of natural and man-made waterways crisscrosses, endowing the Jiangnan area with a natural advantage in waterborne transportation. Numerous boats travel up and down the canals, mooring overnight, with the captains linking the vessels to ensure safety and stability. As the sun rises, the boat dwellers paddle out on small sampans to greet each other, untie the ropes, and embark on a new journey.