Things to do in Jiangsu

A relaxing garden with rich history behind. However, you need to get a tour guide and explain to you. Or else you are just walking without any history background.

Personally, I think the Buddha Palace is the best part of the entire scenic area. It's magnificent and ornate. You should definitely try the Heavenly Vegetarian Noodles at the Buddha Palace; they're inexpensive and taste good. The other attractions aren't as outstanding. Actually, if the weather is nice, walking up and down the mountain is quite pleasant, even without taking the minibus.

A stretch of clear water connects scenic spots such as the Long Causeway with its willow-lined banks, Xu Garden, Little Golden Mountain, Five Pavilion Bridge, White Pagoda, and Twenty-Four Bridges, offering ever-changing views like a long scroll painting of mountains and rivers. Driven by the saying "Fireworks in March descend on Yangzhou," I visited Slender West Lake for the second time.

As expected of a top-tier zoo in China, the crowds during the National Day holiday were terrifying, but it's definitely worth a visit. It offers a unique zoo concept, like a zoo built in a forest. Whether you see the animals you want to see depends entirely on luck. We chose to enter and exit from the south gate. Due to limited time, we didn't see too much, but we were still extremely satisfied. We even saw the newly arrived Simba family.

Teacher Cai's explanations were better than expected. She interpreted the cultural relics from various perspectives, including politics, economics, history, and culture, demonstrating extensive knowledge and profound understanding. Both children and adults benefited greatly from the explanations.

Positive review. The only downside is the inconvenient transportation, especially after the event when crowds surge out. The free shuttle bus took us to a dark, dingy place, and getting a taxi was extremely difficult.

Thirty years later, when I returned to Hanshan Temple, the scenery was completely different. I had to take a shuttle bus from the parking lot to the mountain gate. It was still very crowded, but too many modern elements had ruined the original atmosphere. You can't have your cake and eat it too, alas.

The Dacheng Hall of the Confucius Temple is the core main hall of the Confucius Temple, a tranquil haven of Confucian elegance amidst the bustling Qinhuai River. With its double-eaved roofs, bracket sets, and ancient red walls, the hall houses a dignified bronze statue of Confucius, flanked by stone statues of sages. Inside, a giant portrait of Confucius hangs, flanked by four stone statues. The "Illustrations of Confucius' Sacred Traces," inlaid with jade, vividly depicts the life of the sage. There are also replicas of ancient chime bells and chime stones, and if you're lucky, you might catch a performance of traditional music. The side corridors display calligraphy and inscriptions by renowned calligraphers, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Confucius. Outside, the Confucius Temple is bustling with crowds; stepping inside brings instant peace, perfect for quiet contemplation of Confucian culture, ideal for reading or seeking blessings. It's a perfect place to combine a visit to the Qinhuai River with a day trip.

Because of the poem "A Night Mooring at Maple Bridge," a visit to Suzhou must include a trip to Maple Bridge and Hanshan Temple. The scenic area isn't very large; Maple Bridge, Tieling Pass, and Hanshan Temple are the main attractions. Hanshan Temple is very crowded, but enjoying the waterside scenery outside the temple is also a pleasant experience.

A large garden built primarily with artificial hills and Taihu stones. Bamboo adorns the exquisite courtyards, winding corridors, and behind walls and houses. The lotus pond and various chrysanthemums along its banks add even more beauty to the garden. It's just a stone's throw from Pingjiang Road, fantastic and definitely worth a visit. This is my second time visiting the Lion Grove Garden in ten years! 😊