[2025 Changshu Attraction] Travel Guide for Xicheng Pavilion (Updated Jul)

While Suzhou and Hangzhou are overrun by tourists, Changshu quietly weaves a serene Jiangnan autumn dream with Yushan's red maples, Shanghu Lake's morning mist, Fangta Garden's golden ginkgos, and the charm of its alleyways! Its classical gardens rival Suzhou and Hangzhou, Yushan's forests are awash with color, and Shanghu Lake's waters are mirror-calm—plus, it's uncrowded, peaceful, and affordable! Especially in late autumn, the ancient pagoda's ginkgos and the mountain's crimson maples paint a scene straight out of an oil painting. Spend 2 days here for a private getaway vibe—don't miss this guide! 🚄 🍁 2-Day Autumn Itinerary (Tested & Efficient!) Day 1: Arrive in Changshu → Immersive Shanghu Lake Tour (Stay: Shanghu Huajianfu) Day 2: Climb Xicheng Tower → Shimei Square → Fangta Garden Ginkgo Viewing → Yushan Maple Path Stroll 📍 Must-Visit Autumn Highlights: 1⃣ 🌊 Shanghu Lake | The Pinnacle of Jiangnan Landscapes "Ten miles of green hills half-enter the city, ten thousand acres of emerald waves"—this description is spot-on! Glide through the water forest on a bamboo raft, where light and shadow dance like a fairy tale! 🎈 Unlock a Bird's-Eye View: Take a hot air balloon ride to admire the Yushan-Shanghu duo—breathtaking! 🏡 Stay Recommendation: Shanghu Huajianfu Wake up to lake and mountain views! This private garden-style hotel offers tranquility and luxury, as if you’ve booked the entire Shanghu Lake! The morning and evening light is stunning! 2⃣ ⛩ Fangta Garden | Ancient Pagoda Ginkgos & Maple Symphony The 800-year-old Southern Song Dynasty square pagoda stands tall, while ancient ginkgos don golden coats and maples blaze like fire—autumn overload! 🎫 Ticket: Free! Few crowds, stunning scenery—photographers rejoice! 3⃣ 🍁 Yushan Maple Path | A Free Oil-Painting Corridor! A must in late autumn! The winding path is drenched in maple hues—stroll, sit, sip tea, and immerse in "frost-red leaves outshining spring flowers." 🎫 Ticket: Free! Uncrowded and ultra-atmospheric! 4⃣ 🏯 Xicheng Tower | A Mini-Jiangnan Panorama Climb the ancient city wall for a sweeping view of Changshu, Yushan's autumn colors, and Shanghu's shimmering waters—poetry in motion! 5⃣ 📖 Shimei Square & Yishan Tower The uniquely shaped Yishan Tower by the square is a great spot to learn about Changshu's history and snap Instagram-worthy shots! 📜 Changshu’s Hidden Gems: A Paradise for Garden Lovers! Beyond Fangta Garden, explore Yan Garden, Zhao Garden, Zeng Garden... each exquisitely elegant, uncrowded, and affordable—time-travel to the Ming-Qing era! 🔥 Pro Tip: Grab a [Changshu Travel Passport] Early! ✅ Discounts on attractions ✅ Cheaper shuttle rides ✅ Café perks ✅ Stamp collection rewards ✅ Savings + fun combined! 🦀 Changshu’s Foodie Delights: 🦀 Hairy Crab: Neighbor to Yangcheng Lake—just as plump and delicious! 🐔 Beggar’s Chicken: Clay-baked to fall-off-the-bone perfection! 🍜 Stir-Fried Noodles: A local staple! Toppings wok-fried to smoky goodness! 🍡 Steamed dishes, rice cakes, duck blood glutinous rice, fermented rice cakes... Carb heaven confirmed! 📌 Tearfully Practical Tips: 🚗 Transport: Drive for freedom! Shanghai 1.5h | Suzhou 1h | Hangzhou 2.5h High-speed rail is easy! Arrive at "Changshu Station," then 20min taxi to downtown/attractions. 🏨 Stay: Shanghu Huajianfu (Best views, splurge-worthy) Downtown hotels (Near Fangta/Shimei Square, budget-friendly) 📅 Peak Autumn: Mid-November to early December (Ginkgos golden + maples reddest!) 👟 Gear: Comfy shoes (for hiking) + jacket (cool lakeside/mountain air) + camera! 💰 Costs: Many free/cheap attractions, flexible dining/lodging—Travel Pass saves more!

📍Recommended reason: Changshu has a unique Jiangnan style and a tranquil atmosphere. The streets are lined with flowing water and rich in culture, making it the best place for a slow-paced tour. 🌞Attraction address: Fangta Park in Changshu is located on East Huan Road, Yushan West City Tower is in Yushan Town, and Shanghu Lake is located at No. 1 Taigong Road. 🚄Attraction transportation: It is about 125 km from Shanghai to Changshu by car, about 42 km from Suzhou to Changshu by car, and about 50 minutes from Shanghai to Changshu by high-speed train. 📅Must-see attractions: Fangta Park, Yushan West City Tower, Shanghu Lake. Fangta Park 📍Recommended reason: A representative of classical gardens, the park is dotted with pavilions and towers, with an elegant Jiangnan style. You can also climb the tower to overlook the ancient city. 🌞Attraction address: East Huan Road, Changshu. 🚄Attraction transportation: You can take a bus or taxi to get there. 🎫Ticket information: Free admission. 📅Must-see attractions: Fangta, Song Dynasty ancient well, ancient ginkgo, Donghengban Bridge. 📸Other tips: You can enjoy tea in the park, admire the wooden hydrangea flowers next to the ancient ginkgo, feed the koi, etc. Yushan West City Tower 📍Recommended reason: The only ancient city wall built on a mountain in southern Jiangsu, known as the Little Great Wall of Jiangnan, is majestic. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, there is also the Yujian Song Dynasty event. 🌞Attraction address: Yushan Town. 🚄Attraction transportation: You can drive or take a bus to get there. 📅Must-see attractions: Yushan Gate Tower. 📸Other tips: Participate in the "Song Dynasty Moon" online event in advance for a chance to win night garden tickets. Shanghu Lake 📍Recommended reason: With its gentle lake and mountain scenery and rich history and culture, you can drift on a bamboo raft, shuttle through the dense pond cypress, and experience a dreamlike fairyland. There are also various performances at night. 🌞Attraction address: No. 1 Taigong Road, Changshu. 🚄Attraction transportation: You can navigate to the parking lot by car, or take buses 116, 217, or You 10. 🎫Ticket information: CNY 80. 📅Must-see attractions: Taigong Island, Fushui Villa, Pond Cypress Forest. 📸Other tips: The cool autumn evenings are perfect for a night cruise.

Suzhou people are really tight-lipped, they keep such a beautiful place hidden... If you think Suzhou's Shantang Street, Humble Administrator's Garden, and Pingjiang Road are crowded, then why not come to Changshu for a walk, classical gardens, small bridges and flowing water, fireworks in the alleys, and elegant stories of literati; green mountains and clear waters, climbing high to see far, exploring the forest, and the endless fun of the mountains and fields; especially in autumn, Changshu is really as beautiful as a painting. - ⭐️⭐️Changshu two-day tour itinerary Day1⃣️Take high-speed rail to Changshu, half-day tour of Shanghu Lake, and stay at Shanghu Huajianfu at night; Day2⃣️West City Pavilion➡️Shimei Square➡️Fangta Garden➡️Yushan Maple Path➡️Fangta Garden. - ✅Shanghu Lake Shanghu Lake and Yushan Mountain complement each other, and there is a saying that "ten miles of green mountains are halfway into the city, and ten thousand acres of blue waves surge at the west gate". It is a famous scenic spot in the south of the Yangtze River. Shanghu Lake has both the beauty of gardens and the fun of the outdoors. It is very pleasant to stroll through it, especially to take a bamboo raft through the water forest, which feels very comfortable, or to take a hot air balloon to see the beauty of the mountains and waters of Shanghu Lake from high above. Shanghu Huajianfu enjoys the beautiful scenery of Shanghu Lake and Yushan Mountain. It feels like living in a private garden. It is very quiet and enjoyable. - ✅West City Pavilion Changshu is one of the few cities in the south of the Yangtze River with ancient city walls. Climbing up to the top of the mountain along the city wall, you can overlook the beautiful scenery of Changshu, Yushan Mountain and Shang Lake. - ✅Shimei Square There is a unique building called "Yishan Building" where you can learn about the history of Changshu and take photos. - ✅Yushan Maple Trail It is said that Jiangnan is a landscape painting in ink and wash, but Yushan in autumn is more like an oil painting with thick ink and heavy colors. The mountains and plains are full of colorful forests, especially the maple trail. It is very pleasant to stroll there or sit under the trees and drink tea. Admission is free. - ✅Square Pagoda Garden The towering ancient pagoda still stands tall despite the vicissitudes of life, and the garden scenery is not inferior to the famous gardens in the south of the Yangtze River. Especially in autumn, the 800-year-old ancient ginkgo and the red maple trees in the garden are very pleasant.

Pick chrysanthemums by the west wall and enjoy the view of Yushan Mountain. In the evening, visit the chrysanthemum exhibition at the West Tower of Changshu. The various chrysanthemums are in full bloom, and the scenery is perfect for photos! Then climb the "Great Wall of Jiangnan" from the West Tower to Yushan Gate, stopping along the way. It's so relaxing! How about a trip to Changshu this autumn? Travel tips: Yushan Scenic Area Tickets: CNY 30 per person (includes Jianmen, Canghai Temple, Baoyan, and Yushan City Wall) Half-price tickets: CNY 15 per person Please arrive at the West Tower before 16:15, as it will be closed after that!

I didn't expect to be in Changshu, Jiangsu There is also such a little-known forest secret Depart from Shanghai, drive for 1.5 hours Changshu one-day tour route: Shanghu Scenic Area→Yushan West City Pavilion First stop: Shanghu Scenic Area Tickets: Adults 70, Children 6-18 years old 35 Duration of visit: 3 hours An experience not to be missed 👉 Bamboo raft: Take a bamboo raft to travel in the water forest. The whole journey takes more than ten minutes. It feels like entering the Wizard of Oz! The boatman said you can come again in autumn. The forest is red and yellow in autumn, which is more beautiful. The cost is 30/person 👉Rafting: The whole journey takes half an hour, the water flow is not fast, and children can also play, the cost is 40/person 👉Fushui Villa: Jiangnan Garden, you can wear Hanfu to take pictures here 👉Happy Island: children's play area, carousel, forest adventure, etc. Second stop: Yushan West City Tower Duration of visit: 1-2 hours The West City Pavilions were built during the Liang Dynasty in the Southern Dynasties. After 1,500 years, they formed a large building complex by the end of the Qing Dynasty, but were later destroyed by war. The West City Pavilion is a garden rebuilt on the original site, with a total length of more than 1,200 meters, which is very suitable for climbing and looking far! During this Mid-Autumn Festival, you can visit the West City Pavilion at night and see many Song Dynasty themed performances, such as "Bodhisattva Man", "Ru Meng Ling", outdoor open-air movies, NPC interactions, sword dances under the moon, markets, etc. You can also participate in the "Yu Jian Song Chao" Mid-Autumn Festival sharing event to witness the prosperity of Yucheng's Song Dynasty style and light up the Mid-Autumn Festival night in Yucheng (you will have a chance to get tickets to the Yushan City Wall Night Garden) If you have enough time, you can also visit Fangta Garden, a classical garden with a history of 850 years!