“Travel Leaves Marks on You”
GuanQian Street (观前街)
Guanqian Street is a historic and bustling pedestrian street located in the heart of Suzhou, China. It stretches about 780 meters and is named after the ancient Taoist temple, XuanMiao Temple (玄妙观) , which lies at its center. The street has a history dating back to the Song Dynasty and has been a hub of commerce and culture for centuries.
Over the centuries, Guanqian Street has evolved into a bustling commercial hub, attracting merchants and visitors from all over.
Today, Guanqian Street is a vibrant mix of tradition and modernity. It is home to numerous shops, restaurants, and historic landmarks. Visitors can explore old-fashioned stores selling Suzhou specialties like silk, embroidery, and traditional snacks, alongside modern shopping malls and trendy boutiques.
The architecture along the street reflects Suzhou's traditional style, with low-rise buildings and a harmonious color palette of black, white, and gray.
Guanqian Street is renowned for its many 老字号 (time-honored brands). These shops have been operating for decades or even centuries, preserving Suzhou's rich cultural and culinary heritage.
XuanMiao Temple (玄妙观)
Xuanmiao Temple, is a historic Taoist temple located in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. It was originally established in 276 AD during the Western Jin Dynasty.
The temple is famous for its Three Purities Hall, which houses statues of Taoist deities and features architectural elements from the Song Dynasty.
It is also home to ancient relics, such as a Five Dynasties-era well and stone carvings. The temple's layout reflects traditional Taoist principles, emphasizing harmony and balance.
The surrounding public square and market area provide an open space where people can socialize, shop, and enjoy cultural activities.
The Chinese stone lion, also known as Shishi (石狮) or guardian lion, is a traditional architectural ornament often placed at the entrances of temples, palaces, and homes for protection and good fortune. This stone lions feature a rolling ball inside their mouths, which is an intricate carving technique where the ball is carved from the same stone as the lion but remains free-moving within the mouth. This symbolizes wisdom, strength, and the ability to control fate. The craftsmanship required to create this effect is highly skilled, as the ball is carved in place without being removed.
The name Guanqian (观前) means "in front of the temple," as the street is situated before Xuanmiao Temple, a major Taoist site.
The area is known for its traditional markets, where vendors sell local delicacies, souvenirs, and specialty products.
Walking along Guanqian Pedestrian Street is a blend of history, culture, and modern vibrancy.
The street is bustling with energy, filled with locals and tourists exploring its century-old shops, trendy boutiques, and delicious street food.
DaoXiangCun(稻香村)
This is another well-established and respected brand in China. I chose to highlight this name because my family and I are traveling to Beijing this November, and I’m taking the opportunity to visit the shop and gain firsthand knowledge about it.
During the 20th century, 稻香村 expanded its operations and became a household name across China. It is now recognized as a "中华老字号 (Chinese Time-Honored Brand)" and continues to uphold its legacy of excellence.
Su Qi Teahouse(苏柒)
The shop exudes a calm and inviting ambiance, creating a peaceful retreat for visitors. Its drink selection includes coffee, lime-infused beverages, and American-style coffee, all highly praised for their exceptional taste.
The setting is quiet and relaxing, and the top-notch service ensures a delightful experience. Nestled on Pingjiang Road, Suqi Afternoon Tea offers a serene and cozy atmosphere, making it the perfect spot to unwind after exploring the area.
With its warm and welcoming ambiance, the café provides a tranquil escape, where guests can enjoy both comfort and great service.
The attentive staff adds to its charm, making every visit enjoyable. An ideal place for a leisurely afternoon, Suqi Afternoon Tea is known for its gentle and inviting service, making guests feel right at home.
The lady who served us recommended one of the premier type of tea with us as this tea come with great health benefits: 虫茶 (Chong Cha), also known as "insect tea", is a unique type of tea found in China, particularly in Guizhou, Hunan, and Guangxi. Despite its name, it is not made from tea leaves but rather from the droppings of insects that consume tea leaves or other plants. The most common insect involved in its production is the 米缟螟 (Mǐ gǎo miáng), a type of caterpillar, which feeds on tea leaves and excretes small granules that are later dried and brewed like tea, so it is similar like my favorite blue mountain coffee.
虫茶 has a long history and was even recorded during the Ming Dynasty. It is known for its mild, slightly sweet taste and is believed to have health benefits, such as aiding digestion, reducing blood pressure, and improving metabolism. Some regions even consider it a specialty tea and export it to Southeast Asia.
First time trying this tea and found out that there are three types in the menu: Harvested in 2015 cost CNY98, 2012 at CNY188 and CNY298 for2008！Since this is our first time, we opted for the cheapest one which is SGD18. It has a unique and complex flavor profile. It is smooth, slightly sweet, and mellow, with a rich, earthy aroma. Unlike traditional tea, it lacks bitterness and has a refreshing aftertaste that lingers pleasantly. After further google checks, some variations, especially aged ones, develop a deeper, more refined taste, making them even more enjoyable
My MR asked me why I like to drink poo!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Pingjiang Road (平江路)
We deeply regretted visiting this historic street on a public holiday. The crowds were so overwhelming that words couldn't fully capture the experience. We managed only a brief stroll through the densely packed street before quickly leaving as soon as we spotted an exit.
Pingjiang Road is a historic and picturesque street located in the Gusu District of Suzhou, China. It is one of the best-preserved ancient streets in Suzhou, dating back over 800 years to the Southern Song Dynasty.
The road runs parallel to the Pingjiang River and stretches approximately 1.6 kilometers (1 mile), offering visitors a glimpse into the city's rich cultural heritage.
The street is lined with traditional Suzhou-style houses, featuring whitewashed walls, black-tiled roofs, and intricate wooden carvings.
Many of these buildings have been converted into teahouses, cafes, boutique shops, and art galleries. Pingjiang Road is famous for its canals and stone bridges, which are iconic features of Suzhou's water town charm.
Many ancient wells exist throughout Suzhou, often serving as important water sources for local communities in the past. Some of these wells are preserved as cultural relics, reflecting the city's rich heritage.
Walking along the road feels like stepping back in time to ancient Suzhou. Pingjiang Road offers a tranquil and nostalgic atmosphere, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.
Deng Ji (邓记 一品生煎)
邓记一品生煎 is a well-known brand specializing in Sheng Jian Bao (生煎包), or pan-fried soup dumplings.
The small restaurant has a decent environment and is very busy. Although the serving speed is average, the food tastes great, and the service is excellent.
This dish, known as "Lion's Head Meatballs," features large, tender pork meatballs slowly braised in a rich, savory brown sauce. The name comes from the resemblance of the meatballs to a lion’s head, often served atop a bed of leafy greens, symbolizing the lion’s mane. The meatballs are made from ground pork, water chestnuts, ginger, and soy sauce, shaped into large balls, pan-fried until golden, and then simmered in a flavorful sauce of soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and rock sugar. The result is a juicy, melt-in-your-mouth texture with a deep umami taste.
Pork Belly with Preserved Vegetables (梅菜扣肉) consists of succulent pork belly that is slow cooked with preserved mustard greens (梅菜), creating a tender, flavorful bite. The pork belly is first blanched, marinated, and deep-fried to achieve a crispy outer layer before being braised with preserved vegetables in a savory sauce made of soy sauce, sugar, and Shaoxing wine. The preserved vegetables add a slightly sweet and salty contrast, balancing the richness of the pork. The dish is traditionally steamed upside down, allowing the flavors to fully infuse.
This is the "failed" Yangzhou Fried Rice.
Back to the pedestrian street after the meal, we are heading back to Suzhou station, here are the last looks of the place.
The atmosphere shifts depending on the time of day—mornings are calmer, with shopkeepers preparing for business, while evenings bring a lively buzz, as neon signs light up and crowds gather.
The architecture is a mix of traditional Suzhou-style buildings and modern storefronts, creating a contrast between the past and present.
Lastly, I bumped into this before I leave the street: Suzhou style hotpot. Suzhou-style hotpot offers a lighter, more delicate take on traditional Chinese hotpot, emphasizing fresh ingredients and subtle flavors. Instead of bold, spicy broths, it features mild, clear broths made from pork bones, chicken, or seafood, enhancing the natural taste of meats, tofu, mushrooms, and greens.The dipping sauces are light and balanced, favoring soy sauce, sesame oil, and vinegar over heavier, spicier blends. Some restaurants use charcoal-fired copper pots, adding a smoky depth to the experience.
SuZhou Train Station (苏州站)
Suzhou Railway Station is a major transportation hub located in the Gusu District of Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. It is one of the oldest railway stations in the region, originally built in 1906 and later renovated to accommodate modern high-speed rail services. The station is strategically situated near Suzhou's city center, making it easily accessible for travelers exploring the city's famous attractions.
The station blends traditional Suzhou aesthetics with modern design, featuring spacious waiting halls and efficient facilities. It operates both high-speed and regular trains, connecting Suzhou to major cities like Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Beijing, and Xi'an. High-speed trains make travel to Shanghai possible in as little as 24 minutes. The station includes luggage storage services, restaurants, shops, and metro connections via Suzhou Rail Transit Line 2 and Line 4.
Taking China’s High-Speed Rail (HSR) again is like stepping into a blend of familiar efficiency and quiet exhilaration. The moment you board, you're greeted by the sleek, futuristic design, the soft hum of the train, and the seamless experience of gliding through landscapes at incredible speeds.
Whether it’s your first time in a while or a routine journey, there’s always a sense of awe in how effortlessly cities blur past the windows.
Unlike airplanes, there's no turbulence—just smooth acceleration and the quiet precision of modern engineering. Inside, it’s peaceful, with passengers working, relaxing, or quietly chatting, while outside, the scenery rushes past in a mesmerizing motion.
Lightning-fast speed yet whisper-quiet cabin of the first class
We have come to the end about this blog, here are the links of the blogs from this trip to Shanghai, Suzhou & Hangzhou:
Here below are some of the trips we have done in 2024:
Feel free, you are most welcome to browse through my other blogs to France, Japan, China, Thailand, Malaysia and cruises etc.
Thanks, and Cheers
"I travel because seeing photos in books and brochures was not good enough for me, To be there, that was everything"
