Now in my early twenties, I'm stuck at my desk year-round. Endless overtime and office trivia fill my days. I leave home early and return late, leaving almost no time with my parents. They've worked hard most of their lives, busy supporting the family when they were young. They've always dreamed of visiting Jiangnan to explore the gardens and cruise West Lake, but making a living kept getting in the way.
A GreenTourAsia private group tour solved my dilemma
On my days off, I usually just lie around, scroll through short videos, or stay up late zoning out. It looks relaxing, but the more I lounge, the more anxious I get. The older I get, the more I realize how little time I spend with my parents. I've always felt guilty about it. We young people keep saying "I'll spend time with my parents later," but that's really just procrastination. We think we're young and have plenty of time, not realizing our parents are aging fast. So this long weekend, I ignored work and my social life and made up my mind to take my parents to fulfill their Jiangnan dream.
I was torn before the trip. Young people compare options endlessly when planning a travel guide! A road trip would be too tiring—I'd have to figure out the routes, and traveling with older parents would be exhausting and awkward. I definitely wouldn't dare book a regular large group tour; the internet is full of complaints, and my parents couldn't handle it. After doing some research, I found GreenTourAsia and immediately booked a small private group tour. I knew exactly what I wanted: young travelers can rough it or rush from spot to spot, but when traveling with your parents, comfort always comes first.
Understanding poetry amid ancient temple bells
Our first stop was Hanshan Temple in Suzhou. Standing at the entrance, I realized the real thing is far more beautiful than in short videos or textbooks. Walking through the site moved me deeply. Back in school, I memorized "Outside Gusu city lies Hanshan Temple; midnight bells reach the passenger boat" just to pass exams, never grasping its mood. Now, after entering the workforce and experiencing job anxiety and life's pressures, the moment I walked into Hanshan Temple, I instantly understood the peace and release in those lines.
The guide walked us slowly through each attraction, sharing the history and legends behind Puming Pagoda, Guanyin Peak, and the Stele Corridor—never rushing us or pushing the schedule. My parents strolled at their own pace, completely relaxed. As we wandered, I realized young people really don't need to be so wound up all the time. Making money matters, but pausing now and then to spend time with your parents and enjoy a slower pace is its own kind of healing.
Strolling Through a Classical Garden: Lion Grove Garden
After Hanshan Temple, we headed straight to Lion Grove Garden, one of Suzhou's four great classical gardens and the stop I was looking forward to most on this Suzhou trip. From viral videos, I thought these gardens were just ordinary courtyards with plants, but seeing it in person completely won me over to the aesthetics of ancient China. The highlight of Lion Grove Garden is its Lake Tai rockery maze. The caves connect in every direction, and walking through them feels like playing hide-and-seek—so much fun. The guide led my parents gently through the rockeries and caves, exploring the garden step by step.
Every view in Lion Grove Garden is intentional, every scene perfectly composed. As I took it all in, I couldn't help reflecting: true beauty doesn't need a filter. The garden aesthetics refined over centuries are far more sophisticated than most commercialized influencer spots. This is also where a small private group tour really shines—we entered during off-peak hours, the site wasn't crowded, and there was no need to rush. The whole visit felt incredibly restorative. Away from work stress, fully immersed in a classical garden with my parents, this slow, real-world experience beats scrolling on my phone at home and losing sleep to anxiety a million times over!
Eat snacks with a local guide
After touring the main area of Lion Grove Garden, we strolled along the old Suzhou streets nearby. The whole street has a classic charm, lined with shops selling all kinds of Suzhou-style pastries. As a young traveler who constantly reads travel guides, I know exactly how touristy commercial streets work! Many viral shops use over-the-top marketing, double their prices, and serve mediocre food just to rip off out-of-town visitors—locals never go there.
Traveling with my parents, my biggest fear was getting ripped off! They've been frugal their whole lives, so if they ate some expensive, bad-tasting viral snack, they'd feel guilty about the money and it would ruin their mood. Luckily, our guide was super reliable. He helped us skip all the tourist traps and took us to the old shops locals actually visit. We tried authentic Suzhou-style qingtuan (green rice balls), osmanthus cake, crispy sugar candy, and other local snacks. They were soft, sweet but not cloying, and light in flavor—perfect for older folks. I sat with my parents on a stone bench on the old street, eating, strolling, and chatting while taking in the historic buildings and passersby.
Shake off work stress amid lakes and mountains
On the second day, we headed to West Lake in Hangzhou, a place I've dreamed of visiting since childhood. Standing on its shore in person, I finally understood the gentle beauty of this legendary lake. The water was wide and clear, the banks shaded by lush trees, and everywhere I looked was a soothing Jiangnan waterscape. Working in the city usually leaves me stressed and wound up. But walking along the West Lake trail, feeling the breeze and gazing at the open water, all my work anxiety and daily frustrations instantly vanished.
As I walked, I couldn't help but reflect: as young people in our twenties, we really don't need to push ourselves so hard. Grinding away with overtime every day and stressing about the future only makes us miss life's simplest joys. Nature's healing power truly works better than any motivational quote. Our guide had a great sense of pacing. Instead of dragging us into the crowds at Broken Bridge, he took us along a quieter lakeside trail, strolling past pavilions and shoreline views while sharing West Lake legends and history at a relaxed pace. My parents stopped often to admire West Lake and take photos, completely in their element. In that moment, it hit me: life isn't just KPIs and the rat race—it's also beautiful landscapes and family.
Visit Meijiawu Longjing Tea Plantation
Leaving West Lake, we headed straight to Meijiawu Longjing Tea Plantation, the core growing area for West Lake Longjing tea. The entire hillside was covered in terraced rows of emerald tea bushes, and even the air smelled like tea—far from the noise and skyscrapers of the city. After living among concrete and steel and staring up at oppressive high-rises, I felt completely relaxed the moment we arrived at the plantation. Looking out over the endless tea fields, I was deeply moved.
The guide brought us up close to the tea bushes and explained how Longjing tea is picked, roasted, and tasted in a way that was easy to follow. It was my parents' first time seeing such vast tea fields up close—they explored curiously and listened intently, looking completely at ease. We sat in the shade overlooking the tea fields, quietly letting our minds go blank. Overtime, the rat race, office politics—all forgotten. The slow pace of mountain life is incredibly soothing for a young person's anxiety, offering a kind of relaxation you simply can't find at city attractions.
Step into Xixi Wetland, a natural oxygen bar
After finishing our time at the tea plantation, we headed to Xixi Wetland in Hangzhou in the afternoon. White walls, round windows, and yellow gate towers paired with lush greenery and waterways—the wetland is crisscrossed by rivers, thick with reeds and plants, and almost completely free of over-commercialization. Stuck in an office building on weekdays, I rarely get to see such untouched natural scenery.
The guide deliberately chose a flat wooden boardwalk route to avoid crowds and muddy paths, looking out for my parents' legs the whole way. We strolled slowly along the water's edge, surrounded by greenery, babbling streams, and the moist scent of plants. As I walked, I reflected on daily life—young people today either lie flat scrolling through videos after work or stay up late. It looks like leisure, but it leaves you feeling empty inside. Stepping into the wetland made me realize that getting close to nature is the cheapest way to de-stress. No commercial noise, just flowing water and birdsong; my restless mind gradually settled down.
Praying at the yellow walls of Lingyin Temple
After resting for half a day, we made a special trip to Lingyin Temple. Its iconic yellow walls, round windows, and ancient architecture were simple yet elegant—an unexpected highlight of this trip. I had only seen the yellow walls of Lingyin Temple in viral social media posts before, but standing in front of them for a photo in person, the Zen atmosphere of the ancient temple washed over me.
Walking into the temple grounds, incense smoke curled upward among towering ancient trees while the guide explained the legends and prayer customs of Lingyin Temple in detail. My parents sincerely prayed for our family's safety, and as I stood by the yellow wall, I couldn't help but reflect: caught up in the rat race every day, always chasing fame and money, it's rare to find peace of mind in an ancient temple, set aside anxiety, and simply pray for family. That sense of grounding is priceless. Visitors moved through the temple in an orderly flow—no squeezing through crowds or rushing around. We took our time exploring the halls and admiring the ancient architecture, leaving both body and mind deeply relaxed.
Discover the everyday charm of Jiangnan in a waterside town
Leaving Hangzhou, we headed to Xitang Ancient Town. Standing by the wooden railing along the water with lotus-scented breezes all around, the white wall behind us bore the bold characters "Tanghe Hall." The river flowed slowly, lotus leaves crowded the surface, and old willows draped their green branches along the bank—everywhere you looked was the fresh greenery unique to Jiangnan. My parents stood relaxed, fanning themselves, while our guide gathered the four of us together for a family photo.
Strolling along the bluestone riverbank
We strolled slowly along the bluestone riverbank. Behind us, rows of old wooden houses hugged the water's edge, dark tiles alternating with green trees. These authentic water town homes haven't been over-commercialized. My parents stood by the river holding traditional round fans. After seeing so many cookie-cutter tourist towns on short videos, I hadn't expected much, but standing here by the river, I realized how rare it is that Xitang has kept its old-world charm. No need to crowd into viral photo spots—just walking slowly along the river and chatting with family is the most relaxing way to travel.
Snap a photo at the viral frame
Before we knew it, the guide had led us to the park's popular photo frame. The bright red frame was decorated with giant faux roses, and inside it stood an antique-style octagonal pavilion. The words "I'm waiting for you in Xitang" were written on the glass—this is the viral photo spot everyone talks about online. The two of us sat on a pink heart-shaped bench to take pictures. With no elders rushing us along, we finally got to enjoy a rare moment of leisure.
Xitang at Night
Once it got completely dark, colorful tassel lanterns hung from the trees, and all of Xitang instantly transformed. The guide helped my mom change into an exquisite red hanfu, her hair styled in a bun with traditional accessories, and she blended right into the antique charm of the water town's nightscape. I used to think dressing up in hanfu for photos was just a trendy thing for young people, but seeing older folks in traditional attire turned out to have its own special charm.
While my parents strolled around and rested nearby, I leaned quietly against the railing, enjoying the breeze and watching the water town's lights sway gently in their reflections. With nothing but the evening wind and the sound of flowing water, I suddenly understood why so many young people love coming to Xitang to unwind. The evening breeze in this ancient town really can quietly heal all the frustrations and anxieties of daily life.
Old Artifacts at the Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum Bridge the Gap
During our time in Xitang, our guide took us to the Xitang Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall. It was filled with old Jiangnan handicrafts, vintage folk items, wood carvings, paper cuttings, and traditional textiles. My parents stood before the exhibits, reminiscing about their younger days piece by piece.
I used to be convinced there was a huge generation gap between my parents and me. I was into trendy internet-famous things, while they preferred nostalgic old items, so we rarely had much to talk about. But standing before those vintage pieces in the exhibition hall, I slowly began to understand their youth. The so-called generation gap was really just a lack of chances to explore and chat together. As I looked at the exhibits, I snapped photos to document our day—satisfying my urge to share moments online while helping my parents preserve memories of the trip.
Historic streets along the water town
Beyond the main attractions, our guide also took us to Xiaohelishi Culture Street and the covered bridges of the water town. The old street has kept its original residential charm without over-commercialization. The little shops along the way buzzed with everyday life, and locals going about their routines were everywhere. I walked with my parents, sampling light water-town snacks as we went. Our guide steered us away from overpriced tourist traps, letting us follow the locals' lead to experience authentic Jiangnan life. Looking at the bluestone paths, old wooden houses, and flowing streams, I realized more than ever that the best part of travel isn't getting the perfect viral photo—it's immersing yourself in everyday life alongside your family.
Personal reflections
After sightseeing, our guide had already arranged a table at a well-established local restaurant. The dishes were lightly salted and tender—perfect for older guests—with authentic Hangzhou cuisine and Suzhou-style home cooking served one after another.
I didn't expect that a premium small group tour booked on a whim through GreenTourAsia would be such great value. By the end of the trip, I was completely won over—it was genuinely stress-free and comfortable. What impressed me most was how flexible the itinerary was, with no rigid schedule of must-see stops. I didn't have to worry about grabbing tickets, planning driving routes, or comparing restaurant prices. All I had to do was relax and take in the scenery along the way. That feeling of pure travel enjoyment without sweating the small stuff is truly rare.