Shajiabang Scenic Area

Shajiabang Reed Marshes

The Shajiabang Reed Marshes is a classic red tourism destination and a patriotic education base.

Shajiabang is located about 10 kilometers south of Changshu City, on the northern side of Yangcheng Lake. It gained fame due to the model Peking opera "Shajiabang" and was also the filming location for the TV series of the same name. In the scenic area, you can see scenes from the drama, take a boat ride deep into the reed marshes, and enjoy the beautiful wetland scenery. In summer, the lotus flowers in the area are in full bloom, offering a delightful sight. The main entrance of Shajiabang is at the southwest corner. After passing the memorial square featuring statues of characters such as Sister Aqing and New Fourth Army instructor Guo Jianguang, you can first visit the Shajiabang Revolutionary History Memorial Hall. The memorial hall is located outside the main scenic area and is free of charge. Learning about the anti-Japanese history of Shajiabang will give you a deeper appreciation of the revolutionary lives of Sister Aqing and Guo Jianguang when you explore the rest of the site. Heading east through the Tiankai Bowei Archway, you’ll enter the main scenic area, where you’ll find the Hongshi Folk Culture Village, a classic example of a traditional Jiangnan water town. Within the village’s many museums, such as the Root Carving Museum and the Marriage Customs Museum, you can learn about local traditions. Walking north along the Hidden Lake Corridor, you’ll reach the boat dock, where you can take a black-canopied boat into the Reed Maze or various boats to the Hengjing Old Street film base. The cheapest option is the bamboo raft, but it’s not really necessary since Hengjing Old Street is within walking distance. The Reed Maze is located south of the Hongshi Folk Culture Village and is divided into a water maze and a land maze. The water maze involves a boat ride, while the land maze consists of boardwalks laid out over the water. Taking a boat through the Reed Maze is recommended, as it is the highlight of the scenic area. The reeds here grow taller than a person, creating a sea of green in spring and summer, and turning golden with fluttering catkins in autumn and winter, offering a desolate yet picturesque scene.

The reed marshes are the heart of the entire Shajiabang scenic area. Located on the southern shore of Kunshan Lake, the area features deep waters and fertile soil, producing abundant wild rice, reeds, fish, and crabs. In the past, villagers around the lake made a living through fishing. The vast waters are dotted with water chestnuts and lotuses, densely covered with reeds, creating a picturesque landscape. During the Anti-Japanese War, wounded New Fourth Army soldiers used the natural cover of the dense reed marshes to outmaneuver the Japanese invaders and puppet troops, ultimately achieving victory.

Since 1988, the Shajiabang government has developed 150 acres of reed marshes into a tourist attraction. The current Shajiabang Reed Marshes Natural Scenic Area spans over 1,000 acres and includes functional zones for education, sports and leisure, aquatic plant viewing, water activities in the reed marshes, agricultural sightseeing, and folk culture. The area features dozens of attractions and recreational activities, including archways, stele pavilions, waterside pavilions, boardwalks, fishing spots, aquaculture displays, farm tool exhibitions, the Reed Maze, islands in the lake, the Hongshi Village Tea House, farmsteads, and the Chunlai Teahouse.

The two major areas—water activities and the land-based Reed Maze—are crisscrossed by rivers and creeks and surrounded by dense reeds, forming a variety of expansive, narrow, deep, and winding water and land spaces that create numerous mazes. These provide an ideal setting for exploring nature and experiencing the scenes of the New Fourth Army’s battles in the reed marshes. Strolling or boating through these areas, you’ll be serenaded by birdsong, cooled by the breeze, and enveloped by the fragrance of reeds, immersing you in the wild charm of the landscape.

The Farmhouse Area is a highlight of the reed activity zone, showcasing the joys of rural life with features such as waterwheels, oxcarts, windmills, and fishing boats with tall masts. The first-generation "Chunlai Teahouse" recreates the small teahouses that were once common in Shajiabang villages. Riding the waterwheel and playing in the bamboo groves offer a delightful taste of rural life, complementing the experience of the Reed Maze. The pristine natural environment makes this an excellent choice for those seeking "green tourism" and a return to nature.

Address: East End of Ludiang Road, Shajiabang Town, Changshu City, Suzhou

Type: Lake, Countryside, Wetland, Film Studio

Rating: AAAAA

Recommended Visit Duration: 0.5–1 day

Phone: 0512-52500000

Official Website: http://www.sjb-ys.com/index.php

Opening Hours:

November to March: 8:00–16:00; April to October: 8:00–16:30. Ticket sales stop 15 minutes before closing.

Ticket Information:

Peak season (June 1 – November 30): Adult ticket 110 RMB; Off-peak season (December 1 – May 31): Adult ticket 80 RMB.