Shopping in Kunshan

Parkson Mall

Kunshan’s newest western-style mall opened last fall of 2011.  It is a mix of high fashion stores, including over 260 western and Asian brands along with a conglomeration of restaurants.  Here you can find some familiar places, like Starbucks, Subway, Haagen Dazs, and Uniqlo.  It is also connected to the popular French grocery, Carrefour.  It can be easily reached by hopping on bus 119.

There are more things to do than just shop and eat.  They have a large water and light show that often has a daily presentation during the evening.

ShangSha Mall

Shangsha Mall, like Parkson, is just one of the many brand name malls in Kunshan.  It is located in the downtown area on Renmin Nanlu. Inside, you will find a bowling alley on the top floor that is familiar to most localized expats for cheap beer and inexpensive games. Shangsha Mall also has a nice ice cream store and coffee shop located inside.  You will see brands like Este Lauder and Calvin Klein sold here.

Tinglin Road

Tinglin Road is known for its quaint, small retail shops.  You never know what you might find when you walk down this street!  The best way to explore is to start near the Kunshan hotel and head north on Tinglin Lu.  After a leisurely stroll and some window shopping, you will you will eventually end up at Tinglin Park.  I particularly enjoy this street for the food.  Make sure to try some delicious treats, including the egg tarts, CoCo drinks, and chestnuts!

Square 9 Mall
Square 9 is  a new mall tucked away on the north side of Kunshan on XiaoLin West Road.  Inside you will find popular stores like H&M, Gap, and Sephora.  Prices are more reasonable than Parkson, although a little far from the downtown, it is easy to shop, eat and find taxis!

Eagle Mall
Eagle Mall is a short walk away from "Expat Alley" (the small strip of expat restaurants on HeiLongJiang Road).  On the bottom floor, you can find a grocery store, and the other floors are brimming with trending restaurants (including an Indian restaurant) and reasonably-priced stores (well, in comparison to Parkson).

Home Improvements: Fixing Your A/C

Look at the top right part of this photo.  I took this photo after eating at Big Bamboo in Shanghai.  

Our A/C broke over the summer.  I dragged my feet until Chitrak finally called up a technician to fix it, but you won't see me at home when the repair man arrives.  Take a look at this photo - no harness, all confidence!  It's unfortunate I have a weak stomach... isn't that what husband's are for?

Suzhou Pearl Market

Suzhou and Shanghai are some of the best places to fulfill your appetite of all pearls, big and small.

I usually go to the Shanghai markets, where vendors speak English, and have a variety of necklace pendants and earring designs.  Recently, Chitrak and I tried our luck with the Suzhou Pearl Market.   I will still recommend going to Shanghai for anyone who lives the area.  Shanghai markets are easier to reach and have a lot of other activities around the market. 

However, one unique feature in Suzhou is that you can book a tour to pick up your own pearls from the lake.  We choose not to do this activity.  

Hill Living

An article I wrote back when Chitrak and I visited Shimla in October 2012.

The town of Shimla is breathtaking and one first falls in love with the picturesque backdrops and the quaint, laid back lifestyle of hill living, a difficult retreat to find in the chaotic larger cities of India that never sleep.  After a few days of leisure, you notice aberrant fixtures on the doors and windows.  Bars cast shadows over the glass like a prison. On a second glance, you begin to notice an odd consistency of spiky branches that have only fallen on the tops of vehicles.

However, all trimmings are intentional attempts to ward off monkey malice.  The slimy thieves break into your house with ease, take your food, steal your clothes, and leave your house in utter disarray.  Don't worry, if you are a woman and try to shoo the monkey away, he's not that scared of you.  The little devil will smugly continue on ravaging your home.  (For some reason, monkeys are only scared of men.  Ladies, don't go out alone!)  The thorny  branches put on the car by their owners are a frail defense to all monkey business, from monthly monkey meetings to sweet monkey love making.  Chitrak once told me a story of a friend that had just bought a new car, and while they were away one day, the dome was beaten in to look like it had suffered an unrelenting hail storm.  (Should have invested in the handy-dandy thorny branch!)

Our days were full of treks up and down steep slops, through crowded markets of colorful knick knacks and sweets.  I wish it were only the monkeys I was frightened of.  The larger, and wiser langur are just down-right terrifying.  But, let's save that for another day!

Medical Care in Kunshan

In Kunshan, many of the establishments are Taiwanese or Chinese run.  If you feel more comfortable with a western doctor, there are many online-recommended institutions you may decide to visit in Shanghai.  However, here are some tips I have compiled you may find helpful if living in Kunshan:

Dentist

In Kunshan, there is a popular Taiwanese establishment called Asia Dental Center that has similar care to that of back home.  They have many expatriate customers and affordable prices.  Ask for an English speaking doctor when making an appointment.

Eye Doctor

There are many eye doctors around the city.  Usually, an examination is free.  At some locations, prescription glasses can be ready-made the same day as the examination.  If you know your prescription, you can order these things cheaper online at websites like www.taobao.com.

Family Doctor/Physician

If you are looking for someone to prescribe medicine to cure symptoms of a slight illness, please contact someone at your company who can recommend the best options for your situation.  In China, private doctor offices are rare.  In the Kunshan area, many expats visit the Suzhou Kowloon Hospital.  There is an English-speaking branch for expatriates and VIP rooms.  Amenities are more western in comparison to local hospitals.  Call in advance to make an appointment.  

     Address:  Wangsheng Street, Wuzhong, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China 6262-7999
     Website:   http://www.kowloonhospital.com  (website is in Mandarin)

Just recently, a new chain of expat-friendly doctor offices have sprouted up around larger cities called Parkway Health.  They have English services, including an online English website (please see below).  Since services are in English, the cost of your visit will be higher, but at least this gives you another option.

http://www.parkwayhealth.cn/medical-center-locations/sip-medical-dental-center.php


Finally, there are also many affordable and expat-friendly hospitals in Shanghai.  In these establishments, nurses and doctors speak English and patients are provided with many other western amenities.