Suzhou, China: Exploring the Eastern Gem Resembling Venice

Suzhou, China: Exploring the Eastern Gem Resembling Venice

One of the fantastic perks of living in Yangzhou, China, is the proximity to some beautiful ancient towns. With frequent local buses and efficient bullet trains, it takes just an hour or so to reach these stunning places. Jiangsu Province, located on China’s east coast, is surrounded by waterways and canals, making it picturesque. We often visit Shanghai, but during the Autumn Festival, we decided to explore Suzhou, known as the “Venice of the East.”

Suzhou didn’t disappoint, despite the crowds of Chinese tourists. We stayed at the Mingtown Suzhou International Hostel in the heart of the Old Town, right along one of the canals. The hostel, in a very old building with Chinese-style furniture, was charming. The staff spoke enough English to guide us on bus routes and understood when I asked for an extra blanket, though they didn’t think I needed one!

We wandered through various alleyways, weaving through tourists, and tried to get off the beaten path. We discovered quiet streets where locals were engaged in their daily routines—women hanging laundry on bamboo lines, men fishing in the canal, and chili, tea, and noodles drying in the sun.

Venturing further, we found the serene Couple’s Retreat Garden, one of Suzhou’s quieter spots. Known for its classical gardens listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, Suzhou’s popular gardens were crowded, but this one offered tranquility. We enjoyed the peaceful scenery before heading back to the bustling crowds.

In the evenings, we sat by the main canal, people-watching with a bottle of wine. Our presence as foreigners drinking wine in proper wine glasses attracted quite a crowd. Locals took photos, gave us thumbs-ups, and laughed at the spectacle. It was all in good fun, making us feel like celebrities. We saw only a few other foreign tourists in Suzhou that weekend, so all the attention was on us.

We thoroughly enjoyed our three-night stay in Suzhou and plan to return, preferably when it’s not a National Holiday. We spent our days walking around, exploring different parts of the town, enjoying delicious Indian food, chatting with friendly locals, and relaxing. This trip felt different as it was a holiday from work rather than just another stop on a backpacking journey. We didn’t have to worry about the next destination or transportation logistics. After our four-day break, we returned to our routine of teaching English and living in Yangzhou.