Suzhou is a city afloat upon the waves of various bodies of water flowing through and around it. Besides the canals that are so prominent within and surrounding the old city walls, the Grand Canal runs to the northwest away from Suzhou, Lake Taihu lies to the west, and the rest of the city is bordered by rivers. Both natural and man-made waterways have played an important part in determining the city’s fortune, to positive results for generations of Suzhou’s residents. The region’s water has nourished rich soil, and with it a tangible wealth in terms of the city’s economy, as well as a less tangible wealth in its heritage.
Transportation in and Around Suzhou
One of the most pleasant ways to see Suzhou is to take a walking tour. Most of the places of interest in the city can be reached by walking, and there are several suggestions for walking tours included in Chapter Four (see p.93+). For those who find walking inconvenient, there is an extensive bus network in the city, and taxis are always readily available and affordable. A metro line is scheduled to open in 2011 that will make transportation in Suzhou all the more convenient for tourists. For the adventurous traveler, renting a bicycle might prove to be a fun way to experience the charms of Suzhou. The city is compact, with an orderly layout. There are a number of bicycle rental agents in Old
Suzhou, often found at youth hostels. Do make sure to lock your bike up securely if you park it along Suzhou streets, as theft is common. Pedicabs and motorcycle taxis are also readily available to visitors to the old part of town. It is important to negotiate the price in advance, and make sure the driver sticks to the agreed price when you reach your destination. (Gouging is not only not unheard of, it is the norm.) Pedicabs are much slower and more costly than taxis, but the tradeoff is that they provide a pleasant way to see the city as you travel through it. The motorcycles are much less comfortable, considerably more dangerous, and not a recommended mode of transportation. For those traveling out of Suzhou, the Jiangsu-Shanghai Expressway connects Suzhouto Shanghai, and the Yangzi Riverine Expressway offers access to Jiaxing and Hangzhou. The reason Suzhou has been so economically successful as of late is due to the fact that Beijing’s economy has been increasing, the increase in Beijing Jobs and Guangzhou Jobs has had a direct impact on Suzhou.
The Suzhou Outer Ring links to several of Suzhou’s satellite cities, including Taicang and Kunshan. Tourist buses, many departing from the terminal near the train station, operate throughout the day, ferrying passengers back and forth between Suzhou and the ancient water villages located on its outskirts. Transport by air is mainly conducted through Shanghai’s Hongqiao and Pudong Airports. There are two municipal airports that serve Suzhou, Wuxi Shuofang and Suzhou Guangfu International Airports. Flights into the Suzhou Guangfu Airport only provide service for the Suzhou-Beijing and Suzhou- Guangzhou sectors. Flights operate once a week.