"Catch a train to Suzhou-it is easy!!" Shanghai Off The Beaten Path Tip by albaaust

We decided that we would be adventurous and catch the train to Suzhou by ourselves and make our own way there. It turned out to be very easy and one of our better days in "Shanghai".

We first of all caught the subway to the central station and then queued to buy our ticket. It was made easier in that there was a non- Chinese speaking queue (look for the sign) and then it was just a matter of saying what time we wanted to leave for Suzhou and what time we wanted to get back so we bought a return ticket.

Best to get there around 9am. We didn't and ended up catching the 2pm train (number 5074 leaving at 14.00 20 Yuan) but we still managed to walk around Suzhou and visit the pagoda with its beautiful gardens and the main street and have a Korean meal.

I would consider in hindsight that one thing we could have done is organise with the driver of the Tuk Tuk (3 wheeled taxi) to take us to a number of places for the day.

We caught the T 719 which left at 19.42 (15 Yuan). This was actually a faster train back and seemed to only take 30 minutes.