Kunshan Tourist Attractions

There are many things to do and see in Kunshan but at times you may find it to be a challenge to get around. You can choose to walk, ride a bicycle, take a taxi or the bus, but they have their limitations as you do not have the freedom to explore. Some expats will apply for their driver’s license and purchase a personal car. Motorcycles are an option, but these licenses are difficult to get in Jiangsu Province.  Most people hire a private driver for long excursions, or buy an e-bike (a scooter that runs on electricity).

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:

Tinglin Park

Tinglin Park is situated on the north end of downtown.  It spans over 140 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, walkways, trails, and exhibits.  There is a 20 RMB entrance fee, however, if you pay a little more up front, you can enjoy a year’s membership so you can visit as often as you like.

Tinglin Park is best known for Ma ‘an Mountain.  If you decide to take the challenge, it is no more than a 15-20 minute hike up to the top, where you can enjoy the view of the entire city as well as a few refreshments.

The park also includes many other features, including a zoo, bonsai garden, Kun Opera Museum, paddle boats, haunted house, and tomb.

  **Some features require additional fees.

  **The best times to visit are during the months of April and May when the flowers
bloom..

Kun Opera Museum

While you’re at Tinglin Park, you might take a few minutes to explore the Kun Opera Museum. The building is a model of antique architecture from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Kun Opera is widely known as “the father of all Chinese operas” and has been very influential to Beijing Opera. Inside the museum, you can see scripts and paraphernalia used in Kun Opera.

Fairmont Hotel

The Fairmont Hotel is one of the most renowned hotels in Kunshan. It hosts many community activities for expats, including a scrumptious Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. The hotel also offers a spa, buffet, gym, walking/biking trails, and classes (including yoga, kung fu, etc.) for residents living in Kunshan. It is located near the famous Yangcheng Lake, which is famous for Hairy Crab. Its serene environment allows you to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and relax in nature.

Zhou Zhuang Water Town

You may have noticed that China isn’t exactly that "National Geographic image” you had imagined before moving here. In fact, many people are speechless to find that in some ways, China is far more advanced than many western cities.  But, if you are hoping to get a glimpse of China’s past, you can visit Zhou Zhuang Water Town.  It is one of the three most popular water town destinations outside of Shanghai.  Every year, there are several native and international guests.  It is usually quite busy, especially during beautiful weather and holidays.

While there, you can take boat rides, buy handmade items from local vendors, and immerse yourself in local cuisine.  Be sure to schedule a driver or long distance bus as it is quite far from the downtown area.

The Famous Tingling Park of Kunshan

Tingling Park, Kunshan

Last weekend, my husband and I visited the infamous Tingling Park in Kunshan.  It is an incredible multi-attraction, encompassing a wide range of entertaining activities, including a bonsai garden, zoo, opera museum, park, and haunted house.

Here is the grand tour...

Entrance

This is the entrance to Tingling Park, which is within a 2 mile walk from our apartment.  It is located towards the north of town in a popular shopping area.  On most nights, Chitrak and I will take our evening walk to the gate and then return home.

Here is our first exploration inside...

After entering the park, you walk down a beautifully landscaped sidewalk to view the mountain.

 After paying a minimal fee of 20 yuan per person, or $3.20, we entered the gates to see a well-manicured, recreational area.  Weathered pagoda buildings stood as bilingual museums to retell the history of Kunshan.  We walked down the path until we reached an open area of a lonely mountain overlooking a pond.  (Kunshan is known for its high rises and industry, but NOT for its natural land formations.)  We were quite taken away with the breathtaking views!




The Mountain

It's a long and steep climb to the top of the mountain.

 We knew what we had to do next, CLIMB!  It was a scary hike, as there is very little railing or fences on the path up.  At a leisurely pace, we climbed the mountain within 15 minutes.

It's worth the climb!  You can see the entire city from the top.

As we neared the top, the city skyline revealed its beauty to us.  It was then that I realized how massive Kunshan really was.  I stood atop the threshold and scouted for Yong Jing Wan, but never found it.

A small oasis sold drinks for a couple of bucks.  Picnic tables filled with resting visitors scattered around a scenic spot and the gazebo.

No trip is complete without some excellent "Engrish."

We walked down the other side of the mountain, and saw this stunning view.

This is the highest point in Kunshan, so as you walk around the mountain, you can see in all directions.
We found a new lake we never knew existed.

The water looked inviting for a romantic boat ride.

There are many things to do once you enter the park.  I especially liked the water ball!

The Haunted House.... Err Mountain....

The entrance to the haunted house.

I noticed a pyramid jutting out the side of the mountain...  It's one of those moments where you think, What in the world? What could it be?  Your right, a haunted house!  I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner!

We bought tickets for this unkown thrill at an additional 20 yuan fee.  We entered an underground tunnel, with heavy sealed doors swung open welcoming us.  This place was definitely eerie, straight out of a drama movie recapping the events of a nuclear holocaust.  The building was far scarier than any "ghostly creature" that was in the place.

The structure was the scariest thing about the haunted house!  It looked more like a dungeon or bomb shelter.

On your walk into the haunted house, the spooky pig greeted you with the song, "Hello Barbie, Let's Go Party."

It didn't take us very long to realize how foolish this haunted house was.  Teenagers followed us in with excited squeals and trembling white fists.  Our first encounter was of a creepy pig, dancing and singing to Barbie Girl by Aqua, a song reminiscent of my childhood.  (Barbie Girl Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyhrYis509A)

While everyone else screamed, we giggled to ourselves.  

We continued on to the next room, where badly constructed Styrofoam "demons" lurched towards you in the dark.  It wasn't too difficult to understand the contraption:  the figures were attached to some sort of garage door opener that would swing them forward and back again.

Towards the end, there was a closed, impassable door.  The tunnel didn't end.  It was sealed shut.  I am so interested in what might lay behind it... Batman's secret lair? An undercover army operation?  I have my own conspiracies, but as luck might have it, we had to turn around and exit the haunted house the same path we had come in from--through shrieking teenage girls clinging to their boyfriends.

But hey, at least I got a picture of the creepy dancing pig!



 The Bonsai Garden

The most incredible bonsai trees can be found in this garden.

This was the most impressive.  I wonder how old this one is?