A Poetic Stroll Amidst the Jiangnan Landscape

Shihu Scenic Area is located in the southwest suburbs of Suzhou, just 5.5 kilometers from the ancient city. It is an important part of the national Taihu Lake Scenic Area. Known for its lake and mountain scenery as well as Wu and Yue cultural relics, the 13.5-square-kilometer park embodies the essence of Jiangnan’s pastoral landscape and is renowned as the "Wuzhong Wonderland" and "Wuzhong Marvel."
📍: No. 333 Youxin Road, Wuzhong District, Suzhou
🕧 Opening Hours: Open all day
💰 Admission:
Shihu Scenic Area: 🆓
Recommended Visit Duration: 1⃣️ day
➡️ Transportation Guide
🚇 Subway: Take Line 3 to "Shihubei" Station, then walk about 10 minutes to reach the area.
🚌 Bus: Take routes 53, 54, 55, 62, etc., to "Mosheqiao East" Station.
🚗 Driving: Navigate to "Shihu Scenic Area Parking Lot," parking fee is 6 RMB/hour.
✨ Xingchun Bridge and the "Shihu Moon String": Xingchun Bridge is a landmark of Shihu, a nine-arched stone bridge. Every year on the 18th day of the eighth lunar month, a unique "moon string" phenomenon occurs—moonlight passes through the bridge arches, creating a magical "nine moons in a row" reflection on the lake surface. This spectacle is as famous as Hangzhou’s Three Pools Mirroring the Moon and Beijing’s Lugou Bridge Moonlight.
✨ Tianjing Pavilion: A fairyland pavilion seemingly floating on the lake, it is a typical Jiangnan water town building with a viewing platform overlooking the entire Shihu scenery. Currently, it can only be reached by boat.
✨ Fan Chengda Shrine: Built to commemorate Fan Chengda, a famous pastoral poet of the Southern Song Dynasty, it displays his life and works. Fan Chengda once lived in seclusion at Shihu and called himself the "Shihu Hermit."
➡️ Recommended Route
Half-day Highlights Tour (3-4 hours): Xingchun Bridge → Yuecheng Bridge → Fisherman’s Village → Tianjing Pavilion (view from afar) → Fan Chengda Shrine
🌸💰 Experiences
✨ Boating on the Lake: Choose between a rowboat (about 60 RMB/hour) or an electric boat (about 100 RMB/hour). Sunset cruises are recommended to enjoy the poetic lake and mountain scenery.
Watch the "Moon String" Phenomenon: On the night of the 18th day of the eighth lunar month, the magical "Shihu Moon String" appears at Xingchun✨ Bridge, accompanied by lantern festivals, Kunqu opera performances, and other folk activities.
➡️ Practical Tips
✨ Best Seasons: Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather and beautiful scenery. Spring is great for flower viewing, autumn for moon watching.
✨ Dress Suggestions: Wear comfortable walking shoes for long walks; bring sunscreen and mosquito repellent in summer.
✨ Money-saving Tips: The scenic area is free to enter, with only some attractions charging fees; dining outside the park is more affordable.
✨ Hidden Gems:
❤️‍🔥 Arrive before 7 a.m. at the "Cengtai Qingxiao" viewing platform next to Xingchun Bridge to enjoy the exclusive sunrise.
🥰 The beauty of Shihu lies in the blend of its landscape and culture[]. In the early morning, when mist lightly covers the water and the mountain pagoda shadows appear faintly in the distance; in the evening, when the sunset casts golden ripples on the lake, you can truly feel the unique charm of this city’s green lung.
Accommodation Recommendations
🏨 Suzhou Shantang Street Lingnan Club:
1⃣️ This hotel is uniquely set within a Ming Dynasty architectural complex over 400 years old.
📍 No. 136 Shantang Street, Gusu District, Suzhou, in the heart of the Shantang Street scenic area.
2⃣️ The hotel cleverly blends history with modern comfort. Its most distinctive feature is that it was transformed from the Jiangnan Weaving Office, the Ming and Qing dynasty institution overseeing local textile embroidery. Guests can experience rich weaving culture and authentic Suzhou classical garden life. The courtyard is water-centered, surrounded by mountains and water, with exquisite halls and pavilions, lush flowers and trees, full of Jiangnan water town charm.
3⃣️ Although located in a bustling scenic area, the hotel offers tranquility. Rooms are comfortable with King Koil mattresses and high-quality cotton linens. Service is attentive and meticulous. Its prime location allows easy walking access to Shantang Street and is close to Suzhou Station and Metro Line 2, making it an ideal place to experience Suzhou’s history, culture, and leisure.
🏨【The Humble Suzhou Houju Courtyard Design Hotel】
After finishing sightseeing, I headed straight to the center of Gusu District in Suzhou because I heard the nightlife is more fun there. I checked nearby hotels🏨 and finally chose a French-style one, 【The Humble Suzhou Houju Courtyard Design Hotel】, which has a vintage + fully smart style that I really love🏨. They also provide some items specifically for women, and the price is worth it. No matter why you come to Suzhou, I recommend staying here🏨.
📍 4th Floor, Shangchengmen, No. 29 Shilu Pedestrian Street, Gusu District