Where we are: Su Zhou, Jiangsu Province, China.

A city of 5.7 million located in southern Jiangsu province, just 80 km (50 miles) northwest of Shanghai, Su Zhou is one of the country's most famous tourist attractions. The city of Su Zhou is known for its traditional architecture, cobblestone alleys, traditional gardens and the canals used as thoroughfares throughout the city.

Su Zhou offers a wealth of things for tourists to see and do, and a well-organized infrastructure that makes it easy to get around and explore. Traditional Chinese temples, music, architecture, museums, peaceful gardens, canal tours, and old-style teahouses; Su Zhou has it all. There is additionally a wide range of Chinese and international restaurants, shopping and nightlife possibilities. The city of Su Zhou is also famous as a traditional silk producer, and tours through silk factories and museums are readily available.

There are excellent direct bus and train connections from Su Zhou to Shanghai, the old southern capital of Nanjing, and dozens of other popular tourist destinations. There is even an overnight canal boat trip along the Grand Canal down to Marco Polo's favorite; Hangzhou. Su Zhou is on the main Shanghai-Beijing train line, allowing for easy transport across a good section of the country.

Suzhou city center pedestrian zone

Su Zhou park

Cricket shop on wheels

Su Zhou canals

Prices and accommodations in Su Zhou

The cost of living in Su Zhou is much lower than in Shanghai, Beijing, or other famous China destinations, allowing our teachers and TEFL trainers to enjoy a high standard of living at low cost.

Meals:
Food in China is cheap and tasty. Most Suzhou Boland teachers and trainers order Chinese box lunch delivery for lunch at the school, or go out to a restaurant, or home for lunch. Box lunches cost 6 yuan for small meals, (three dishes, rice) or 10 yuan for large meals (four dishes, rice and soup) -that is from 80 cents, to just over one US dollar per lunch. Box lunches are delivered by bicycle right to the school. Suzhou offers a wide variety of restaurants international cuisine, even fast food, and also a wide range of prices. Most trainers spend about $3-$5 US per day on food here in Suzhou, so food costs do not put a dent in trainers' budgets.

Shopping:
Suzhou is a large, modern city, and even though it has preserved lots of the charm and culture of days past, modern-style shopping for both western and local goods can be done everywhere. There is everything from the major grocery and department store chains with large supermarkets stocking food from all over the world that one see in modern cities everywhere, down to the 'mom and pop' green grocers and family-owned shops where bargaining and tea with the family help turn shopping into a cultural exchange activity. The best bargains can be found in buying clothes of all type, silks, formal tailoring (suits, etc.) and local handicrafts.

Transportation:
Suzhou is located just a 45-minute train ride from Shanghai, and being on the main Shanghai-Beijing train line, provides easy access to major Chinese cities. There is also an extensive bus network, and two long-distance bus stations that will get trainees almost anywhere in China. Like all over the rest of China, public transportation is cheap and effective, with most buses costing just 1 yuan (12 cents in USD) that can be paid when getting on the bus. Taxis are plentiful, and may be waved down all over the city. A local taxi ride costs 10 yuan ($1.2 US) for an approximately 15-minute trip around the city.

Trains - sometimes crowded, but fast and inexpensive

Buses - not always so crowded!

Some other forms of transport

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