What to play in winter?

Suzhou has been known as a resort for enjoying plum blossoms since ancient times. Why not go on an outing to admire these beautiful flowers? After that, soaking in a hot spring will be warm enough to keep the freezing weather away from you, even just for a while.
Admiring Plum Blossoms: Xishan Linwu Meihai

Located in Xishan Town, the Linwu Sea of Plum Blossoms (林屋梅海) has become one of the largest scenic spots in the country for plum blossom appreciation. Ascending to the top of the Linwu Hill, you will find thousands upon thousands of white plum blossoms below, like surging waves and fallen snow.

Ticket Price: RMB50 yuan/person
Yuyangshan Plum Garden

Yuyangshan Plum Garden is a comparatively small but exquisite garden and most of its plums bloom earlier than other plum varieties.

Ticket Price: RMB80 yuan/person
Guangfu Xiangxuehai
Guangfu Xiangxuehai is an age-old spot for plum blossom appreciation in China with remarkable cultural inheritance and the plums grown there are reputed to be the best in the world.

Ticket Price: RMB30 yuan/person
Hot Springs
It’s really satisfying to soak in the hot spring in frigid winter. It can not only stimulate blood circulation and speed up metabolism, but also relieve emotional stress and relax body and mind. Besides, the minerals in the spring water are good for skin as well.

Before taking a bath in a hot spring, you may need to know the following tips:

1. Start from relatively low-temperature pools and then gradually move to hotter pools. You can have some water or drinks (but no alcohol) when moving from one pool to another.

2.  Don’t soak in the hot spring for a long time: no more than 15 minutes in each pool and 10 minutes in the hot pools. Remember to take a shower and have a rest afterwards and avoid intense exercises.

3. Pay attention to your physical condition while soaking in the hot spring. Pregnant women, infants under three and patients with cold, anemia, skin allergy or cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are advised against hot spring bath.

The following places are highly recommended for hot spring experiences. You can choose one to your liking and have a fresh and warm time there. 

Tianyi Hot Spring

Tianyi Hot Spring (天颐温泉) has 39 indoor and outdoor pools. Each pool is fenced with bamboos, which allow the guest to fully enjoy the soak.

Ticket Price:

RMB148 yuan/person or 286 yuan for two, Monday to Friday

RMB168 yuan/person or 326 yuan for two, Saturday and Sunday

Sijiyue Hot Spring

Sijiyue Hot Spring (四季悦温泉) consists of constant-temperature indoor water park, four-season theme hot spring and holiday hotel.

Ticket Price:

All-day Ticket (10:30am to 8pm): RMB198 yuan per adult, 128 yuan per child

Night Ticket (4pm to 8pm): RMB88 yuan/person
Suzhou Bay Wonderland Hot Spring
Suzhou Bay Wonderland Hot Spring (苏州湾王焰温泉) was built by the Taihu Lake and owns more than 40 pools on ten different themes.

Ticket Price:
RMB238 yuan/person or 468 yuan for two
RMB128 yuan per child