Suzhou launches new water bus route near its railway station

With the Dragon Boat Festival approaching, a new shuttle water bus route from the South Square Pier of Suzhou Railway Station to Pingmen Pier has opened recently, with a one-month trial operation period. It aims to enhance travel convenience for passengers and diversify transportation options in the Suzhou Railway Station area.

During the trial period, passengers can enjoy free rides. The newly launched service features eco-friendly electric boats or gaily-painted pleasure boats with capacities of 24 or 32 passengers. A one-way trip takes only about three minutes, significantly reducing travel time between the Suzhou Railway Station South Square and Pingmen.

The operating hours of the route are as follows:From Suzhou Railway Station South Square Pier苏州站南广场-游船码头: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.From Pingmen Pier平门游船码头售票处: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The boat departs every 30 minutes. To ensure efficient transportation, flexible adjustments will be made according to passenger flows.
Suzhou Railway Station苏州火车站, renowned for its Jiangnan garden style and profound historical heritage, is hailed as one of "China's Most Beautiful Railway Stations." The newly launched route allows passengers to cross the river by boat, offering the best photographic angles. Passengers immerse themselves in the poetic charm of Suzhou by "gliding on emerald waves as if wandering through a painting."

Additionally, Pingmen Pier is merely 1.5 km from the Taohuawu Historical and Cultural Area桃花坞历史文化片区. Visitors can walk there. They can also take Suzhou Metro Line 4 and get off at Beisita Station to reach there. They can stroll around the Former Residence of Tang Yin (a Ming Dynasty literati), savor the scholarly elegance of the "Wu School" paintings, and experience woodblock prints at intangible cultural heritage workshops. Visitors can embrace the slow-paced Suzhou lifestyle when wandering through ancient alleys and houses. They can also sip coffee in art-filled streets, feeling the city's vibrant blend of ancient charm and modernity.

Currently, the Suzhou Railway Station South Square Pier has become a key hub for water tours. In addition to the newly launched shuttle route, the Pier offers another five themed water bus routes and one ancient canal sightseeing route, covering the core cultural and tourism landmarks of the ancient city. These routes allow visitors to experience the splendor of Gusu District on a single boat. 
The routes link World Heritage sites like Hanshan Temple, Tiger Hill, and Panmen as well as historical blocks such as Shantang Street and Pingjiang Road. Visitors can immerse themselves in the culture of the 2,500-year-old Grand Canal and local life alike on boats gliding across tranquil waters.
Source：iSzhou