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Changshu (常熟) is a county-level city within the prefecture-level city Suzhou, Jiangsu province. Known for its charm, the city features a historic neighborhood with traditional houses, scenic canals, and cozy cafes, making it perfect for a leisurely stroll and relaxation.
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]The nearest airport is Wuxi Sunan Shuofang International Airport in Wuxi. There are direct bus services from that airport to Changshu.
The nearest major airports are in Shanghai, an approximately two-hour drive from Changshu (~150 km). There are no direct bus services to Changshu from those airports but you can get a train to Changshu from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, which is just next to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport.
By bus
[edit]If coming from Suzhou, take a coach bus from the bus station on the west side of the train station. The bus ticket costs ¥16, and the ride should last a little more than an hour. The bus will take you either to Changshu's North Bus Station (北站) or its South Bus Station (南站). Changshu's main bus station is the south station, which connects to more destinations and closes much later than the north station. The south station is ideal for first-time city visitors because it's in the heart of Changshu's famed garment district. Both stations are about a ten-minute taxi ride to downtown. To head downtown tell the driver to take you to Fangta Jie (方塔街) or Yushan Hill Park (Yushan Gong Yuan/虞山公园).
By train
[edit]- 1 Changshu Railway Station (常熟站), 98 Qinchuan Avenue (琴川大道98号) (bus nos. 12, 106, 135, 136, 137, 226, 235 and tourist bus 5).
Get around
[edit]Metered taxis start at ¥10.
See
[edit]- 1 Shang Lake Scenic Area (尚湖风景区), Wai Xi San Huan Road, Yushan Town (虞山镇外西三环路) (Bus routes 116 and 117), ☏ +86 512 52225000. Mar-May 08:10-16:40, Jun-Aug 08:10-16:10, Sep-Nov 08:10-16:40, Dec-Feb 08:10-16:10. A lake advertised as similar to the West Lake in Hangzhou, but with far fewer tourists. And for a good reason. It is not similar, but a nice getaway if you are into a new Chinese park located "on" a lake (including a small tivoli) without many visitors. ¥60.
- 2 Yu Mountain National Forest Park (虞山国家森林公园) (the park has several entry points, the closest to the city centre being the South Entrance; to get to the South Entrance, take bus nos. 5, 8, 9, 110, 113, 114 or 116 to Yanzi's Tomb (言子墓); after entering the park, take bus no. 118 or 128 to get up the hill), ☏ +86 512 52225000. 08:00-16:00. See the "Great Wall" halfway up. There are nice views of the city and Shang Lake. An old temple may be found at the top. ¥35.
- 3 Shajiabang Scenic Area (沙家浜风景区), Shajiabang Town (沙家浜镇) (Bus routes 5, 342), ☏ +86 512 52500000. ¥100 (high season), ¥80 (low season).
Do
[edit]A visit to the Shang Lake Scenic Area is a must when in the area. For an entrance fee of ¥60, you can enjoy a peaceful bamboo boat ride through the picturesque Crane Reserve and the lush bamboo water forest. (You can get lunch at Kingrace Hotel afterwards.)
To ascend Yu mountain, you can take a bus, taxi, or drive yourself. Walking up is not particularly interesting, so most visitors opt for a ride. About two-thirds of the way up, there is a ¥15 entrance fee, which applies whether you’re walking or driving. From there, continue all the way to the summit, where you’ll be rewarded with tree-covered surroundings and breathtaking views of the city and Shanghu Lake. Along the way, consider stopping halfway to explore a "Great Wall"-style path that offers decent views of the city and the scenic area below. For your descent, you can either take a leisurely walk down through scenic tea plantations or return by car.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- Hey Benny's (in the new auchan shopping area, near maancat coffee on the first floor), ☏ +86 186 2502 1937, [email protected]. 17:00-00:00 and 11:00-00:00 on weekends. American restaurant with wood smoked meats, great burgers, televisions for sports and small patio. Great place to have a drink as well. Show the taxi : 新欧尚漫猫咖啡. Walk around the corner and you will see a bright Hey Benny's sign.
Drink
[edit]- Brooklyn, A104 Taishan North Road. Bar with English speaking staff
- 蝗家一号 (Huang Jia Yi Hao) - KTV lounge
Sleep
[edit]- Crowne Plaza Changsu, No. 1 Kai Yuan Avenue, ☏ +86 512-5272 9999. Opened 2006, somewhat separated from the center of the city. Rates tend to be in the range of ¥400-700, and the rooms are comparable to 4-star hotels in the United States. ¥400-700.
- 1 Merryland Traders Hotel (formerly Four Points by Sheraton), ☏ +86 512 5298 8888. 4/5-star hotel, closer to downtown. Rates are generally in the range of ¥400-700.
- 2 Hyatt Regency Kunshun Lake Hotel (常熟昆承湖凯悦酒店), No. 1, Southeast Avenue, High-tech Industrial Development Zone, ☏ +86 512-52051234. This is a luxury hotel that opened in 2023. It has a total of 289 modernly decorated rooms and suites, ranging in size from 40 to 160 square meters. Free WIFI is provided in the room. The hotel has an indoor heated swimming pool on the 35th floor, and a 24-hour fitness center. ¥699 or more.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]- Suzhou 苏州 - About 1 hour by car
- Shanghai 上海 - About 1.5-2 hours by car, or grab a bus to/from Shanghai South Long Distance Bus Station, every 30 min, approx. 90 min ride.
- Nanjing 南京 - About 3 hours by car
- Hangzhou 杭州 - About 3.5 hours by car