Pan Pacific Hotel, Suzhou

Previously:

Food in Suzhou

This is where we stayed in Suzhou for two nights. The hotel is sooo stunning and beautifully presented.  Feel like they're taking us back to Ancient China period, where I am the empress residing in a luxurious palace and surrounded by a tranquil garden.  However, the room itself is completely opposite.  It is very modern and not so much Chinese touch inside the room.  Not a bad thing though, because the room is so huge and so clean.  My brother-in-law actually got a room where it was decorated fully for kids, complete with a tent and toys. 

Located right next to the historical landmark in one side and contemporary business district on the other side. We have the privilege access from the back door to the Ancient town.  However, we stayed during New Year's Eve and New Year's Day so they closed the gate early on that day.

Not forget to mention, their breakfast choices were superabundant and delicious too.  Pictures of them will be in my next post so please stay tuned.  Overall, we had an amazing stay in this hotel.

Suite room - 1st bedroom combined with a lounge room

Suite room - the main bedroom

Suite room - bathroom

My bro-in-law room - 1st room

My bro-in-law room - Bedroom with kids decor

My bro-in-law room - small kitchen area

Pan Pacific Suzhou

259 Xinshi Rd, Gusu District, Suzhou

Ph: +85 512 6510 3388

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Suzhou:

Breakfast at Pan Pacific Suzhou

Food in Suzhou

Previously:

Shantang Street, Suzhou

This restaurant's got the whole Chinese vibe going on - red pillars, tiled roofs, lanterns, and most importantly awesome noodles.  Tong De Xing specialised in Suzhou style noodles and the broth is the key.  Their clear broth has somehow managed to cram in a crazy amount of umami and depth of flavour.  A rich broth accompanied with al dente cooked noodles and served with your choice of toppings.  You can order plain noodles with individual meat toppings or choose from their set menus.  Classic toppings are including braised pork, stir fried shrimp and deep-fried fish or more luxurious item like crab roe sauce.

For their set menus, it comes with a few side dishes, some's got fruits, sweet and stir-fried greens or some with pickles and cold chicken.  There is no English menu available, but if you have Alipay apps, you can view menu in English and order food from there.  Waitresses here are also very nice and helpful although they speak minimal English. 

At night, we were randomly gone into this bread shop.  The shop looks different from most of standard Chinese shops.  This bakery shop gave a modern bread shop feeling and they serve appetising looking breads and cakes as well.  I mean this kind of shop is pretty normal in the metropolitan city like Shanghai but very unexpected to see one in Suzhou. 

We bought a few items here but didn't get to eat them until the next morning.  Honestly, the bread still soft and tasty.  We also got a few cookies from them.  If I tried and knew how good they were, I will definitely buy some more things from them.

Notably, Suzhou is also famous for its deep-fried mala.  You can literally stumble upon mala stalls on every street corner.  It's a choose-your-own-adventure kind of deal - pick your faves, toss them in a basket and hand them over to the seller who will fry them to a golden brown and sprinkle some magic spices on top. The best part? They are inexpensive and satisfying. 

Tong De Xing

6 Jiayufang, Gusu District, Suzhou

Ph: +86 512 6516 5206

Open: Everyday 10:30am - 2pm then 5pm -9pm

Luwaer Bakery

287 Xinshi Rd, Gusu District, Suzhou

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Suzhou:

Pan Pacific Hotel, Suzhou

Shantang Street, Suzhou

Previously:

Xi Yuan Temple, Suzhou

Suzhou is famed for its criss-crossing canals and lakes run though the city.  Creating calm and beautiful sceneries.  There are also many shops or market lay along waterways which makes it even more exciting to visit.  While Ping Jiang road is the most popular canal side street of the city, instead we did explore Shantang Street where a little further from the city centre but gives a classic feel of traditional Chinese lifestyle. 

We went there late afternoon and right before sunset.  The golden sun reflected on the walls and water, makes this canal street side so pretty and charming.  Very beautiful town.  There are so many shops selling snacks and souvenirs.  Scroll down for some snacks and drinks that we got from there.

If you come with a car, there is a car park situated in the middle of the market.  It is very convenient.

Red bean filled pastry

Tea with whipped cream in bamboo cup CNY 30 (about AUD 6.50)

Su dim sum CNY 10 for 4 pieces (about AUD 2.20/4 pcs)

These Su dim sum, without a doubt are very pretty.  But nothing like its look.  There are made from rice flour.  It was very lightly sweetened with a soft texture.  I can't taste anything else.  

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Suzhou:

Food in Suzhou

Xi Yuan Temple, Suzhou

Previously:

Wokman in Hongyi Plaza, Shanghai

Suzhou is renowned as the "Venice of Asia" due to its unique landscape positioned in the Yangtze basin.  Its canals, stone bridges and classical gardens have become notable tourist attractions.  This setting is remarkably picturesque, generating a feeling of being transported back to ancient China.

However, Suzhou should not be perceived solely as an ancient town.  Suzhou represents a harmonious fusion of traditional Chinese architectural styles and modern urban development.  As seen in the vicinity of Jinji Lake, which showcase the city's modern identity. 

The best way to reach this city from Shanghai is by high-speed train that takes less than 30 minutes.  However, as we come in a group of 9 people, we booked a van and a driver for convenient.  And with the same van, it took us around the town as well as a return trip to Hangzhou.  Driving to Suzhou required slightly more time, about one and half hour.

Right away, we stopped at Xi Yuan Temple where there is a hall of 500 Arhat statues that worth seeing in the temple. These all 500 Arhats has different shapes and styles.  After worshiping the Thousand hands Guanyin in the middle of the hall, you can do the "counting Arhats" to get your faith reading.  Start with men on the left and women on the right, choose a statue that you like then counting one by one based on your age in lunar years.  Once done, the Arhat in front of you represents your present life.  If interested, you can remember the number of the Arhat and go to the entrance of the hall to get a corresponding card with annotations.  You need to pay 15 Yuan for this, but it is only in Chinese.  If you cannot read Chinese like me, just use the Google translator.

Just outside the temple, there is this old couple selling some colourful pretty looking mochi.  I was in a hurry, so I didn't get any.  Later on, I found out that this type of mochi is one of Suzhou delicacies, called Su dim sum.  I brought one from the market that you can find in my next blog.  So, see you all soon in my next blog.

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Suzhou:

Shantang Street, Suzhou