There is a magical place in Suzhou called Shushan Ecological Village, an administrative village under the jurisdiction of Tong’an Town in Suzhou High-tech District, located at the northern foot of Dayang Mountain. The first Suzhou Shushan Pear Blossom Cultural Tourism Festival was held in 2008, and it has now been held for 19 editions.
It is quite convenient to drive here from Shanghai. This time, we stayed at the Hilton Suzhou High-Tech next to Shushan Village. The hotel opened in 2020; although it isn’t brand new, it actually looks quite nice. It originally operated under the Dusit Thani brand but switched to Hilton shortly after, adopting the very business-oriented name “Hilton Suzhou High-Tech,” which gives no indication that it is actually a resort hotel.
The hotel grounds are expansive, featuring some detached villas as well as several 2-3 story low-rise buildings. Each building is relatively small, with only about 5-7 rooms per floor. The rooms themselves are quite spacious. In addition to amenities like a children’s playground and gym, the public areas also feature hot springs, and there are even some rooms equipped with private hot spring baths.
Since it is currently the Shushan Pear Blossom Festival, outside vehicles are not permitted on Shushan Road. However, hotel guests are allowed to drive in, with staff waiting at the intersection to guide you. Note that the entrance to the underground parking lot is separate from the main hotel entrance, so be careful not to go to the wrong one.
Both the hotel entrance and public areas have been meticulously designed, and the lighting creates a very comfortable atmosphere.
The hotel has only one restaurant. At night, they offer a simple buffet for 88 RMB per person, along with à la carte and set menu options. The food is just average, but the convenience makes up for it. Breakfast offers a fairly rich variety, though the taste is also average; however, the dining environment is excellent.
Walking out of the hotel gate and passing through a pear orchard brings you to Shushan Ecological Village. Commerce within the village is highly developed, with numerous restaurants, homestays, and shops, all of generally high quality, plus some local specialties for sale. As of right now (March 21), the pear blossoms are sparse with only a few blooms open; full bloom is still some time away.
Due to the Pear Blossom Festival, the entire village has been carefully decorated, and a band has even been invited to perform.
There is a famous wooden boardwalk trail on Dashi Mountain within the village. It is suitable for hiking with minimal elevation gain and low physical demands, offering views of tea plantations and bamboo forests.
Along the way lies Yunquan Temple, originally named Yunquan Nunnery. It was first built during the Song Dynasty by Zen Master Zhenhu and expanded to prominence during the Dade era of the Yuan Dynasty by the high monk Jueming. Destroyed by war in the late Qing Dynasty, it was rebuilt and renamed after the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Damaged again during the Cultural Revolution, the existing structures are the result of multiple reconstructions. The temple currently preserves the “Eighteen Sceneries of Dashi Mountain,” including Baishi Pavilion and Maozhu Stone Steps, retaining poems and inscriptions by Wu Kuan and others from the Ming Dynasty. Natural landscapes such as rock springs and bamboo forests surround the temple. Existing historical sites include Zhaoyin Bridge and Yunquan Pool, and the couplets inside the temple reflect a blend of literary and Buddhist culture.
You can find a few fully bloomed pear trees within the village that make for beautiful photos. In a few days, when the entire orchard is in full bloom, the view will be truly spectacular.
Overall, this destination is perfect for a weekend getaway from the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai region; a two-day, one-night trip is just right. Shushan is adjacent to Dayang Mountain for hiking, and close to Xishan and Guangfu. Cangshu Town is also nearby, making it very convenient to enjoy their famous mutton dishes.
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