This summer, head to Suzhou for a two-day, one-night leisurely getaway
This summer, why not journey to the waterside ancient city of Suzhou for an elegant two-day, one-night slow travel experience, letting time flow gently between murmuring streams and whitewashed walls with black tiles🍃
DAY1️⃣: Dwelling in Xiangcheng, Immersing in Suzhou-Style Living
✨Upon arriving in Suzhou, consider staying at LOHAS Huayu Oriental Hotel🏨. This "Jiangnan mansion" embraced by lakes, lawns, and garden greenery incorporates the solemnity of imperial kiln golden bricks and the liveliness of water town straw weaving into every detail of its lobby.
🔸Rooms feature premium bedding and private butler service, with pet-friendly room types adding thoughtful touches for travelers with pets;
🔸From welcome tea upon arrival, health drinks before bedtime, to seasonal souvenirs, every detail reflects the "guest-first" philosophy.
✨In the morning, don’t miss Man Ting Fang·Suzhou Noodle House on the first floor🍜. The broth, simmered slowly with over a dozen ingredients, is clear yet rich, fresh but not greasy. Paired with tender braised pork, sweet shrimp🦐, or the summer-limited "Three Shrimp Noodles" (shrimp brain fat, golden shrimp roe), each bite embodies the Suzhou wisdom of "eating seasonally."
DAY2️⃣: Zen Exploration, Savoring Ancient Temple Charm
✨After breakfast, head to Chongyuan Tea House in Wuzhong District, nestled beside the thousand-year-old Chongyuan Temple in the lotus-filled Zen realm of the "Buddhist Land of Water and Sky." Sip a pot of Zen tea🍵 with a piece of Buddhist pastry, watching sunlight spill through the window onto the table. If you encounter a cultural gathering, activities like scripture copying, handmade incense plaques, or seasonal flower arranging🌸 can help settle your mind and body in focus, experiencing the tranquility of "clouds and water opening wisdom, lotus flowers blooming with insight."
✨In the afternoon, visit Hanshan Temple in Gusu District to explore the "Eighteen Slows of Hanshan" in Fengjiang Tower. Inspired by the temple bells' rhythm—"fast eighteen, slow eighteen, neither fast nor slow another eighteen"—the designer transformed the space into "Suzhou’s Glazed Light Courtyard." The second-floor terrace overlooks winding garden paths, the "Humble Room" tea space is perfect for meditation, and the "Sit-and-Forget Tea House" offers scripture copying and tea tasting. Sip a cup of tea🍵, watch light play between the "Four Emptinesses" installation and Chang Le Pond, and listen to distant bell chimes🕰️, letting this serenity perfectly conclude your Suzhou journey.