Hiking in Yushan, Suzhou, near Shanghai

Yushan in Suzhou is the best hiking destination for a day trip from Shanghai. Suzhou is very close to Shanghai (compared to other places in Jiangsu and Zhejiang that take 6 hours to get to and from), and Yushan has amazing scenery and a reservoir that is perfect for photos! The road is wild and interesting! Yushan Forest Park, Changshu City Transportation: Take a 50-minute high-speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao to Changshu Station, then take a taxi to "Qingya Tea House" (the starting point of the Eagle Route). Route: Download the "Two Steps" app and save the offline map in advance, then choose a suitable route. We originally planned to take the Eagle Route, but we couldn't keep going, so we found an exit halfway and went down the mountain. We didn't finish the Eagle Route, but we did visit several photo spots. The whole journey was 10 km and took 6 hours. The water in Longtan Lake is very clear and perfect for photos. There were even people playing on paddle boards in the lake. It was so much fun! The road to the Internet-famous rock on the Eagle Route is not easy to walk, whether you are going up or down the mountain. The road is a bit wild, and I slipped and fell on my butt on the way down, but the photos were cool! It was raining when I went to Lianzhu Cave. The road from the Internet-famous rock to Lianzhu Cave is a long staircase. I felt exhausted after climbing the stairs, but my friends and I encouraged each other to keep going. After Lianzhu Cave, we found an exit because we had been hiking for 6 hours and were exhausted. The Eagle Route is not suitable for beginners! After going down the mountain, we took a taxi to Chengbei Restaurant. The food was delicious and cost-effective! It only cost CNY 60 per person to fill us up. TIPS: 1. Hiking poles are very important if you want to take the wild road. 2. Don't wear thin leggings. I was glad I wore thick leggings when I fell on my butt. 3. Sunscreen/spray + hat + sun-protective clothing + physical sunscreen