Xishan Island

• Getting There - Xishan island is just 2 hours drive from Shanghai situated adound the Suzhou area - It's is a peaceful, quiet place. • Attractions - Taihu Lake, Shigong Mt, Temples • Hotels - XiangZhang Xiaoyuan theme inn - basic, simple, nice for a weekend stay. If you've got a bigger budget I'd recommend staying on the main road near the waterside - Dadao Hotel is a goodie! • Food & Restaurants - Local Chinese cuisine on every corner. We enjoyed the scenic lake view and the tranquil environment. Unfortunately, the Xishan scenic Mountain park is closed until further notice as the temple is under renovation. A real pity and there is no indication about what's open and what's not (part of the adventure!). The attractions seem almost abandoned. There are other various temples open -Shigong Mountain scenic area which is 50 RMB per person. The Temple of the King Yu(禹) is located at the shore of the Taihu Lake - 25 RMB per person. If you visit the island make sure to go with your own car (or a hire a car) as most spots are not nearby one another. Take your picnic basket with you! #scenicspotguide#historicculture#naturalwonders#summervacation

Xiaxia Bay Plum Garden is located within the territory of Jinting Town, Wuzhong District, Suzhou City √ Here, plum trees form forests → Under the swathes of plum blossoms, there are also ponds! The water surface reflects the vast plum groves / The stone bridges and channels, under the reflection, create a picturesque scene + The atmosphere is incredibly beautiful ❃ It's like accidentally entering a pink world ♣ Attracting countless tourists to come and play ♣ It's really worth coming to see for yourself! 【Attraction Tips】❤ √ About the admission fee ☞ 50 yuan/adult (Free for Suzhou Leisure Year Card holders) ❤ √ About the scenic spot's features ¶ ▶ Scenic spot ☞ The most characteristic part is that → there are channels under the plum blossoms / there are stone bridges over the channels Small bridges / The reflection of plum blossoms in the water is super beautiful → Standing on the bridge, you are surrounded by a sea of plum blossoms, which is especially atmospheric ♣ The plum groves here are low and dense → Walking through the plum forest requires bending over ❤ ▶ Plum blossoms ☞ The most beautiful aspect here is → the sight of plum petals falling into the channels → It's a delightful view ❤ ▶ Food ☞ Highly recommend the nearby Dao Yin → a Chinese garden restaurant / There are also snack stalls next to the plum grove ❤ √ About recommended nearby check-in spots ☞ Linwu Cave, Mingyue Bay, Piaomiao Peak, etc. / Very worthwhile attractions to visit ❤ √ About the photography guide ¶ ▶ Outfits ☞ Wear light-colored clothes such as Hanfu, Qipao, dresses, etc. → You'll take great photos ❤ ▶ Camera positions ☞ Highly recommend the stone bridge in the plum tree grove and the last row of plum trees on the west side → They are very photogenic ❤ ▶ Timing ☞ Wait until around 5 pm when the light is softer / there will be fewer people → The photos will look better ❤ ▶ Tips ☞ You can take photos on both sides of the channel → You can capture the reflection in the water / You can also bring a picnic mat and lay it under the plum grove → This way the photos will look more natural ❤ √ About opening hours ☞ 8:00—17:00 (Entry stops at 16:30) ✈ About transportation ¶ √ Address: Xiaxia Bay Fruit Tree Seedling Base, Jinting Town, Wuzhong District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province √ Transportation route ☞ Take Metro Line 5 → Get off at Taihu Xiangshan Station → Transfer to bus 691 at Taihu Tourist Center Station → Get off at CCB Xishan Branch Processing Station to Jinting Town Government Station and transfer to bus 695 → Get off at Dongcai South Station → You will arrive ❤ √ Self-driving navigation → Xiaxia Bay Road, Xishan, Suzhou 【Travel Tips】 √ Equipment ☞ It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and clothing / bring hats, sunglasses, and other sun protection gear ❤ √ Playtime ☞ Suitable for all seasons → The best time to enjoy plum blossoms is from late February to mid-March every year, it is suggested to visit on weekday mornings to avoid crowds, and after viewing the flowers, you can also go to Mingyue Bay Pier to watch the sunset ❤ √ Transportation ☞ It is recommended to drive there / there is a free parking lot ❤

Babies! 👋 I recently discovered a treasure spot—Suzhou Xishan Island, which is so much fun! 🎉 Delicious food and great places to visit, I just can't stop! 😍 Today, I'm going to share with you 20 super practical tips for visiting here, remember to save them! 🌟 🚗Transportation: 1⃣ Friends from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai are recommended to drive by themselves 🚗, parking on the island is super convenient, no need to squeeze on the bus 🚌! 2⃣ Friends from Shanghai are in luck! 🎁 There are shuttle buses 🚌 every day to pick up and drop off, just tell the accommodation owner! 3⃣ The scenery along the Taihu Lake Bridge is picturesque 🌉, remember to bring your camera 📷 to check in! 4⃣ For a day trip, it is recommended to travel clockwise 🔁, the sunset is super beautiful! 🌅 If you stay for two days, you can also get up early to see the sunrise 🌅! 5⃣ Warm tip: It's windy on the island, remember to wear a thick coat 🧥 to keep warm! 6⃣ Catch the sunset early! 🌄 The beautiful scenery is fleeting! 🗼Attractions: 7⃣ Mingyue Bay ancient village tickets 🎫 are half price after 4:30 pm, and free after 6:30 pm! Super cost-effective! 💰 8⃣ Don't miss the 'Number One Wealth God in the World' at Baoshan Zen Temple 💰, pray for wealth and blessings! 🙏 9⃣ Dongcun ancient village has an original ecology, no commercial atmosphere, super suitable for experiencing the simple folk customs! 🏡 🔟 Jing Mountain sunset viewing spot, camping ⛺ and watching the sunset is simply amazing! 🌇 1⃣1⃣ Hengshan Island is suitable for sunny day walks 🚶‍♀, and enjoy leisure time with friends and family! ☀ 1⃣2⃣ Happy Farm is a great place to take kids, with cute pets and entertainment facilities! 🐰🎠 1⃣3⃣ Linwu Cave is warm in winter and cool in summer, and there is also a light show to watch, super cool! 🕳🌈 1⃣4⃣ Miao Miao Peak overlooks Taihu Lake, with a panoramic view of the lake and mountains! 🏞 1⃣5⃣ The metasequoia 🌲 and rocks 🪨 at Biyu Pavilion are great spots for sunset photography! 📸 🏠Accommodation: 1⃣6⃣ Farmhouses and homestays on the island each have their own characteristics, choose as needed! 🏠🍽 1⃣7⃣ Farmhouses include food and accommodation, suitable for group tourists, great value for money! 💰👥 1⃣8⃣ Lakeside restaurants offer meals with a view, so comfortable! 🍴🌊 1⃣9⃣ Homestays that include meals are worry-free and labor-saving, and you can also eat special farmhouse dishes! 🛌🥘 2⃣0⃣ The Suzhou-style noodle shops on the island are also a must-visit! 🍜😋

Suzhou's Canola Flower Feast🌸, these places are free to play!✨ 🌼When the flowers bloom, the spring colors are enticing, and it's the perfect time to view the canola flowers in Suzhou! Come and save this guide to experience the romance of the sea of flowers together!💕 📍Yangcheng Lake Lotus Island Under the blue sky by the Yangcheng Lake, vast waves of canola flowers roll, like a postcard of spring💌. Every snapshot is a masterpiece!📸 📆Peak blooming period: 3.16-4.7 🚌Public transport: Take bus 87 from Suzhou Industrial Park Train Station to Xiwangqiao Bus Station 💰Scenic spot ticket: Free🆓 📍Wuzhong Taihu Sanshan Island Canola flowers are the messengers of spring💌, take a bamboo raft boat, surrounded by the fragrance and rippling blue waves. Or set up a tent by the sea of flowers to feel the embrace of nature🌿. 📆Peak blooming period: Mid to early April 🚌Transport: Take bus 624 to Dongshan Changwei Pier 💰Scenic spot ticket: 78 yuan/person 🛥️Boat ticket one-way price: 20 yuan/person, the journey is about 25 minutes 📍Zhouzhuang Xiangcun Qizhuang Away from the hustle and bustle, embrace nature🍃. Windmills sway among the fields of flowers, fragrant and overflowing, a great place for a weekend day trip!🌞 📆Peak blooming period: 3.15-4.6 🚌Transport: Take Kunshan 260/Kunshan 268 bus to Qibang Bus Station 💰Scenic spot ticket: Free🆓 📍Suzhou Xishan Zhili Ancient Village The spring water ripples, and the sea of flowers is vast🌸. The fragrance of flowers permeates the water, and cycling through it is like being in the animated world of Hayao Miyazaki🌈! 📆Peak blooming period: 3.15-4.6 🚌Transport: Take bus 697 to Zhili East Bus Station 💰Scenic spot ticket: Free🆓 📍Tongli Beilian Village 3000 acres of canola flower fields set against white walls and black tiles🏞️, miles of paths, and a golden landscape, form a beautiful picture of the beauty of southern Jiangsu!🖼️ 📆Peak blooming period: 3.15-4.6 🚌Transport: Take bus 7105 to Beilian Village Committee Bus Station 💰Scenic spot ticket: Free🆓 🌼Flowers have a date, and spring will not be missed. Come to Suzhou for a canola flower feast!🥰

I booked this homestay by coincidence. A few days ago, I saw a home blogger post that they had built a three-bedroom mini villa in Xishan Island. The pictures were very attractive, full of warmth and small details, so I booked it immediately! After checking in, I was not disappointed at all! It was simply too satisfying! The walls in the house are all cream-colored, very warm. We booked with another family, our friends and their child, three rooms in total. The child had a room to himself, and we each had a room. The rooms were distributed just right, one downstairs and two upstairs, so we didn't interfere with each other. Now let's get to the point and talk about why I recommend this place! 🐾This is a three-bedroom courtyard. The courtyard is not large, but it is very warm. The small lawn is green, which is rare to see in winter! The kitchen is separate, clean and tidy. The appliances/cookware are basically pure white, without a single oil stain. Although the homestay has only been open for a short time, you can tell that it is being maintained with care. ☕️There is a coffee machine in the kitchen. The landlord asked us if we drink coffee. After getting a positive response, the landlord brought me his own roasted coffee beans‼️ As expected of a home blogger, they have everything at home! 🛋The living room is my favorite area! The home color scheme is really aesthetic, it feels like moving into a new home. Every little decoration on the wall is interesting, and the books on the bookshelf are suitable for both adults and children to flip through. Several of them are books I like to read, not just random decorations. 🛏The three bedrooms are all decorated in a very simple style. The small bedroom on the second floor where the child stays is small, but I like the feeling of a small room that feels very safe. The sloping roof, small window, donut light, it feels like being surrounded by warmth. 🌞The master bedroom on the second floor is connected to a large sun room. It's really comfortable to bask in the sun, chat, and have a drink! In addition, there is a mahjong machine and a game machine in the house, so you won't be bored after dinner! Xishan

Suzhou Xishan Island Travel Guide⬇️ ⭐Recommended tourist attractions: ✓The Ninth Cave in the World (Park for plum appreciation, natural caves, and climbing to overlook Taihu Lake) ✓Shigong Mountain (A park by the side of Taihu Lake) ✓Mingyue Bay Ancient Village (TV series location) ✓Happy Farm (A place of joy for children, with various small animals, mini-trains, horse riding, children's play area, and pink sand beach) ✓Rose Garden (Open around May each year, free attraction) ✓Flower Sea (A great place for flower viewing) ✓Misty Peak (The highest peak of Xishan) ✓Little Jiuzhaigou (A place with excellent scenery, free attraction) 🍊Recommended seasonal fruits and local specialties of Xishan: January~April: Strawberries March~April: Biluochun tea May~June: Green loquats June: Dark plums and Yangmei berries July~August: Yellow plums, red plums, fragrant melons, watermelons, Cuiguan pears October~November: Tangerines When traveling to Suzhou Xishan Island, you can choose to stay in a homestay for one or two nights, taste the local Taihu aquatic farm dishes, pick two or three attractions to visit, and if it's the picking season, you can also enjoy the fun of fruit picking! 👍🏻Recommended homestay: Manbuli Homestay🏡 Recommended reason: Good location, next to the scenic spot The Ninth Cave in the World, convenient transportation, about ten minutes' drive from various attractions. The homestay has a beautiful environment, clean, tidy, and cozy rooms, with fresh and delicious dishes.

The best time to enjoy plum blossoms in Suzhou is from February to March every year. The Plum Blossom Festival is held annually in Suzhou's Xishan, a tradition that dates back to the Tang Dynasty and has a history of over five hundred years. This period is also the prime time for the early spring custom of 'strolling and admiring plum blossoms' in Suzhou, marking the grand opening of the city's tourism and festival activities. Some travelers may know the best time to enjoy the plum blossoms in Suzhou, but where are the best spots to view them? Let me summarize them for you. 1. Suzhou Xishan The Xishan scenic area is one of the main spots for plum blossom viewing in Suzhou, and it hosts the Plum Blossom Festival every year. The festival reached its peak during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Xishan is the largest plum blossom viewing base in China, with more than thirty varieties. The spectacle during the full bloom of the Plum Blossom Festival is magnificent. Plum Blossom Festival Time: February to mid-March Plum Blossom Festival History: Over 500 years Plum Blossom Festival Ticket: 50 RMB per person per visit Plum Blossom Festival Location: No. 158 Linwu Road, Wuzhong District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province (Linwu Cave Scenic Area in Xia Village, Jinting Town) Transportation: You can take bus No. 58, or drive there, just navigate to Linwu Cave Scenic Area Recommended Visiting Duration: 1-4 hours 2. Suzhou Humble Administrator's Garden The Humble Administrator's Garden, a representative work of classical gardens in the south of the Yangtze River, was built in the early years of the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty and has a history of over four hundred years. It is also one of the four famous gardens in China. During this time from February to March, whether on weekends or weekdays, you can enjoy the plum blossoms here. Plum Blossom Viewing Spot: Near the Tingyu Pavilion, Fucui Pavilion, and the Eighteen Arhats Hall in the Humble Administrator's Garden. Plum Blossom Ticket: 70 RMB per person in the off-season, 90 RMB per person in the peak season; Bus: Bus No. 40, 529, 55, and several other buses can get you there. Recommended Visiting Duration: 1-2 hours 3. Lingering Garden The Lingering Garden, also one of Suzhou's classical gardens, was built during the Ming Dynasty and is commonly known as 'Liu Yuan.' It is one of the four famous gardens in China. The plum blossoms in the Lingering Garden bloom from December to January each year. Especially the two plum trees in front of Guanyun Peak are particularly splendid. At this time, when you pass by the Lingering Garden, you can smell the fragrance of the plum blossoms. Plum Blossom Time: End of December to January Plum Blossom Spot: The two yellow plum trees in front of Guanyun Peak and the plum trees in the West Garden (the largest in national crown width) Recommended Visiting Duration: 2 hours 4. Xiangxuehai Xiangxuehai in Suzhou is one of the good places to enjoy plum blossoms. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty visited this place six times to enjoy the spring and plum blossoms. There is still an imperial stele from Qianlong's time in the scenic area today. Plum Blossom Time: February to March every year, the best time is during the Suzhou Plum Blossom Festival Public Transportation: Bus No. 63, 64, 65 can reach this place, and you can also drive here to enjoy the plum blossoms. Ticket: 20 RMB per person. Recommended Visiting Duration: 1-2 hours 5. Yi Pu Yi Pu, built in 1541, is also one of China's ancient gardens. The plum blossoms here are not as well-known as the other four places mentioned above, but they are also very beautiful when in full bloom. It is a good place in Suzhou to enjoy plum blossoms. Visiting here, you can avoid the noise and enjoy the tranquility, strolling among the rockeries and smelling the fragrance of plum blossoms, which is particularly intoxicating. Transportation: Bus No. 31, 54, 33, and several other buses can get you there Ticket: 10 RMB per person Navigation Location: No. 5 Wenyafang, Gusu District (near Wuqufang) Recommended Visiting Duration: 1 hour In addition to the five classic plum blossom viewing spots mentioned above, there are many other places in Suzhou where you can enjoy plum blossoms, such as the plum blossoms in Xiyuan Temple, a few plum trees along Beisita Road, and several old plum trees in Zijin'an in Wudong Middle District of Suzhou. Of course, there are also the plum blossoms in Suzhou University, along the Baimajian route, and so on, which I will not list one by one here. In short, Suzhou's spring is a city filled with fragrance, and it is also the time to enjoy plum blossoms in early spring. No matter where you choose to go in Suzhou to enjoy the plum blossoms, it's best to set off early, otherwise, there will be a lot of people. Now is the perfect time to enjoy the plum blossoms, and for those who haven't set off yet, seize the last few days, or you'll have to wait another year. Suzhou·Jiangsu

The sun is shining brightly in Beijing today, and the weather is fine. Although there is a slight haze, the Western Hills range 30 kilometers away is not very clear, but its outline can still be seen...

Found a treasure on Suzhou Xishan Island: Sicily Taihu Bay Homestay. Facing Taihu Lake, the sky and water blend together, with vast misty waves. All rooms have large floor-to-ceiling windows, offering an unobstructed view of the lake. The white curtains flutter, the reeds sway, the sunset is intoxicating, and we are all immersed in it.

As the third largest freshwater lake in China - Taihu Lake, it has rich tourism resources for self-driving enthusiasts. This time the destination is Xishan Island🏝️ 🗺️My route: 1️⃣Longxingji: 🍜Suzhou-style noodle shop, you can come at meal times, it's also relatively easy to park nearby, I really like their eel noodles and hand-pulled shrimp 2️⃣Shigongshan Scenic Area: The scenic area charges an entrance fee, but the embankment next to it is free. You can take some photos. Because there is a homestay owner doing speedboat projects here, you can occasionally see seagulls 3️⃣Mingyue Bay Ancient Village: 30 yuan/person, a relatively lively ancient village, some ancestral halls in the village are included in the ticket, it's worth a visit 4️⃣Biyu Pavilion: This is the most open section of the island, just like by the sea, you can't see the end at a glance. If you like camping, this is a good choice 5️⃣Hengshan Island: The small island is only connected to Dongshan Island by a dam, and parking on the island is not convenient. If you just want to take photos, it is not recommended to drive over. There is a kind of Mediterranean feeling here 6️⃣Dongshan Ancient Village: Free, there are also several ancestral halls in the village, some old houses, you can take a simple tour 📌The whole island is only recommended for self-driving🚗or cycling🚴, so that it will be more convenient between scenic spots

This October 1st, embark on a romantic journey! The autumn and sunset scenery of the romantic Mingyue Bay ancient pier. Looking forward to a sunset every day is the happiest thing about living by Taihu Lake. The sunset at Mingyue Bay is worth watching 100 times! The ancient pier of Mingyue Bay is a beautiful landscape in autumn. Every sunset, the pier is crowded with people~ The photos are absolutely beautiful! The pier, ancient trees, autumn wind, sunset, island... It's really healing. The weather is getting colder now, so the sunset time is earlier. If you want to take photos, fairy girls, you must check the sunset time in advance. The shooting time is around 16:40 in the afternoon, and it's only about 5 minutes. The sunset gradually connects with the lake surface, the water and the sky are the same color, giving a sense of peace and tranquility. The sunset here is really healing, it will make you forget all your troubles. You must choose a sunny day to watch the sunset! The evening wind is gentle, the sunset is romantic, quickly tag the person you like and encounter a wonderful sunset on the West Mountain Island of Taihu Lake!

Adjacent to Taihu Lake, the General Union's Xishan Sanatorium is indeed a quiet and comfortable place. On the lakeside corridor, you can enjoy the vast Taihu Lake while walking. On the other side are pavilions and winding bridges, with garden scenery. The entire sanatorium is a large park, with small villas scattered around, and restaurants and other facilities are fully equipped.