Joanna James
Draped in historic gardens and picture-perfect environs, the Chinese city of Suzhou is one for the leisure travellers of today. Located in the Yangtze Delta region, the city is home to an impressive yet minute subway system that makes for hassle-free travel to a destination of one’s choosing. Further, bullet train services are operational here with Shanghai and Hangzhou easily reachable. Detailed below is an overview of the available forms of transportation in the city that one may make good use of the next time you are here.
What else you may wonder would afford a means of getting to know your surroundings and a chance to engage in a conversation with a local or two than on board the city bus? The public bus service is well equipped and will take you to all corners of Suzhou for a flat rate. Thus, for non-air-conditioned travel, you will only be seen pocketing out a mere RMB 1 while an air-conditioned bus will incur a charge of 2 RMB. However, keep in mind that these buses are devoid of a fare collector and therefore, it is mandatory to carry small change with you to hand over to the driver for the payment of your trip.
Two lines comprise the metro here with Line 1 accommodating travel from the east to west while Line 2 takes care of the north to south region. Moreover, by accessing Line 2, travelers like you will be able to connect Suzhou Station with Suzhou North Station almost effortlessly. In the event you are staying at a luxury hotel in Suzhou the likes of Pan Pacific Suzhou, do make queries on how best to access the Metro or any other transportation method that you might have looked up before arriving.
A trip in a taxi although being by far the most convenient way to get around Suzhou will not be so easy on your purse. However, if you want to ride in comfort and have greater freedom to delight in the sights and sounds of Suzhou, then hailing a local taxi ought to be the way forward for your travel aspirations. Taxis can be found in all sections of the city and thus, finding one along with a friendly and chatty driver will not be too arduous a task. In terms of a breakdown of the fares, your average taxi will only charge you 10 RMB for the first 3 kilometers of your ride. In the event you select a Santana taxi for anything over 3 kilometers, expect to pay 1.8 RMB for every additional kilometer completed. Likewise, 1.4 RMB will be charged from you should you decide to employ the services of a Xia Li taxi. Furthermore, if you happen to be moving to a different part of Suzhou, then a taxi will be far more convenient given that these vehicles carry good luggage space.
Powered by pure muscle and an eagerness to have their guests safely transported at desired locations in Suzhou, a rickshaw features as one of the best, if not cost-effective ways of travelling in the locale. Always opt to negotiate a price if you want to cover more than a few places of appeal or regions in Suzhou. On average, the starting price hovers around the 2 RMB mark with longer trips warranting payment of anything in the range of 3 – 6 RMB. The added thrill of a rickshaw ride will be that you will have the wind in your face and the aromas of the city swirling around as you inch closer to your drop-off.
Bike rental services might be availed of in the event you desire to discover Suzhou at your own pace. While you will need to show proof of identity and leave a deposit, the prospect of peddling along merrily along lanes and roads will certainly have you forgetting every care in the world. For a full day’s worth of cycling, you will need to pay 6 RMB while a 4-hour ride will cost you between 2 to 3 RMB. Well worth it, you may think?
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
