Suzhou Qili Shantang, Jiangsu｜With a lamp, a paddle, and a snowfall, capturing all the poetry

The red lanterns along the street light up early, their warm yellow glow filtering through the thin mist onto the ancient canal. Boats glide across the water, breaking the reflections and disturbing the tranquility on both banks. Occasionally, the calls of vendors selling sweet porridge echo through the alleys, the sweet aroma mingling with the cold fragrance of wintersweet, drifting past carved wooden windows and bamboo blinds of the rowboats. 🚏 Suggested Itinerary Recommended spots to visit include Shangtang Street, Xiangtang Street, Xinhui Bridge, and Xinming Bridge. You can stroll along the Shantang River and enjoy the ancient architecture and water town scenery on both sides. 👍 Featured Experiences • 1️⃣ Boat Tour: After 5:30 PM in winter, the lights on Shantang Street turn on, making a boat ride to enjoy the night view very pleasant. Tickets usually cost 50 RMB per person. There are two routes to choose from: Route 1 goes from the Shantang Street Ancient Theater Pier to Yefangbang and then to Xiangtang Pier; Route 2 goes from the Bai Juyi Pier to Yefangbang and back to Bai Juyi Pier. • 2️⃣ Listen to Pingtan: Shantang Street has many Pingtan theaters, such as Pinwei Shantang Pingtan Hall and Shantang Academy. You can order a cup of tea and enjoy the soft Wu dialect Pingtan performance, experiencing the cultural charm of Suzhou. The average cost is about 50-100 RMB per person. 🍱 Food Recommendations • Crab Roe Noodles: December is the end of crab season, and the crab roe noodles at Qili Shantang are worth trying, rich and flavorful. • Su-style Sweet Soups: Such as Osmanthus Sweet Taro Shoots and Fermented Rice Dumplings, which are soft and glutinous, sweet but not greasy, perfect for driving away the winter chill. 🥳 Festival Activities If you visit during the Winter Solstice (December 21 or 22), Qili Shantang holds the "Winter Solstice as Big as New Year · Shantang Small Reunion" themed event, featuring cultural exhibitions, Kunqu opera performances, charity markets, and more for you to participate in. Tips: In December, Suzhou’s temperature is relatively low, usually between 2-19°C, with high humidity making it feel damp and cold. It is recommended to wear down jackets, thick sweaters, thermal pants, and other warm clothing, and to prepare scarves, gloves, hats, and other cold-weather accessories. Choose shoes with good anti-slip performance. 🚗 Transportation Guide Take Metro Line 2 to Shilu Station, exit from Exit 12, and you will see the "Shantang Scenic Spot" sign right outside. Enter Shantang Road.