How to play in Suzhou when friends come from afar?

I have a natural affinity for Suzhou. As long as I don't travel far, I visit Suzhou every now and then, especially Kunshan, Taicang, and Wujiang districts (county-level cities, Suzhou has no counties). After all, Suzhou is the backyard of Shanghai! If friends from afar visit Suzhou for the first time, the itinerary will be different. Here are some of my suggestions-- ⛱️Must-visit attractions: (1) Choose one between the Humble Administrator's Garden and Lingering Garden. Suzhou classical gardens are a World Cultural Heritage and the highlight of Suzhou tourism. The representative works are the Humble Administrator's Garden and Lingering Garden. Since they are paid attractions, it is recommended to visit just one, with the Humble Administrator's Garden being the first choice. (2) Tiger Hill Scenic Area. It is also a Jiangnan garden and features the 'Chinese Leaning Tower of Pisa' - the Tiger Hill Pagoda (Yunyan Temple Pagoda). (3) Suzhou Museum (Main Hall). Suzhou has a rich cultural heritage, being the capital of the Wu Kingdom during the Spring and Autumn period. Suzhou Museum is one of the first national first-class museums, with the main hall designed by I.M. Pei, and its collection of cultural relics is highly sought after. (4) Pingjiang Road Historical Block. A Ming and Qing style ancient street with the charm of a Jiangnan water town, featuring parallel waterways and streets, and a strong local atmosphere. Besides tasting local snacks, you can also find a storytelling teahouse to experience a slow-paced life. (5) Shantang Street. Another Ming and Qing style ancient street. It is not listed as an alternative to Pingjiang Road mainly because of the different times of visit: one during the day and the other at night, to experience different charms. Shantang Street is adjacent to the ancient canal, and you can take a boat tour if interested. (6) Jinji Lake. Located in Suzhou Industrial Park, the surrounding environment is comfortable and modern. The new landmark of Suzhou, the Gate of the Orient, is located here. (7) Zhouzhuang. Suzhou has many ancient water towns, with the most representative being Zhouzhuang in Kunshan and Tongli in Wujiang District. Zhouzhuang is more famous. Tip: You can enter Zhouzhuang for free before 7:30 AM and after 9:00 PM (8:00 PM in the off-season), with fewer tourists during these times, offering a great experience. (8) Taihu Lake. The Suzhou section of Taihu Lake is located in Wuzhong District, with main attractions being Dongting East Mountain and West Mountain. East Mountain is a peninsula; West Mountain is an island connected to the mainland by a bridge. East and West Mountains are far apart and cover large areas. Although accessible by bus, it is time-consuming and labor-intensive. If you are not driving or hiring a car, it is not recommended to visit. 🌄Travel itinerary: Day 1: In the morning, visit Suzhou Museum (1.5 hours), then walk (5 minutes) to the Humble Administrator's Garden (1.5 hours); after lunch, take Metro Line 6 (35 minutes) to Jinji Lake (1.5 hours), then take Metro Line 5, transfer to Line 4, and then to Bus 725 (2 hours 20 minutes) to Zhouzhuang; enter the scenic area for free after 9:00 PM (1 hour). Stay in Zhouzhuang. Day 2: Enter the scenic area for free before 7:30 AM (1.5 hours), then take Bus 725, transfer to Metro Line 4, and then to Line 6 (2 hours 20 minutes) to Tiger Hill; after lunch (1 hour), visit Tiger Hill Scenic Area (1 hour), then walk (10 minutes) to Shantang Street (2.5 hours), and then take Metro Line 1, transfer to Line 2 (35 minutes) to Pingjiang Road (stay until night). Stay in Suzhou city. This is the most compact itinerary, including Zhouzhuang in 2 days. If time permits, it is more relaxing to split it into a 3-day tour, offering a much better experience. 🏨Accommodation tips: There are many hotels in Suzhou, with various levels of accommodation. Choose a suitable hotel based on your budget. Based on the above itinerary, it is recommended to stay in Zhouzhuang on the first day, not too far from the scenic area. Most accommodations around Zhouzhuang are small inns with only a few rooms, and the prices are not high. Recommended: Bai Xian Lake Hotel in Zhouzhuang, which has more rooms, is close to the scenic area, and convenient for dining and shopping, with a good reputation. On the second day, stay in Suzhou city, with more options, especially around Guanqian Street and Pingjiang Road, where public transportation is convenient. Recommended: Elong Hotel (Suzhou University Pingjiang Road Branch), a newly opened hotel with reliable facilities, hygiene, and service. 💗Other tips: (1) Ticket prices (full price): Humble Administrator's Garden 80 yuan, Lingering Garden 55 yuan, Tiger Hill 70 yuan, Zhouzhuang 100 yuan. Other scenic spots do not require entrance fees, but some attractions charge fees. (2) Dining: Famous restaurants include De Yue Lou and Song He Lou, noodle shops include Zhu Hong Xing and Yu Xing Ji, and pastry shops include Cai Zhi Zhai and Huang Tian Yuan. Famous dishes and snacks include: Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish, Stir-fried Shrimp, Eel Paste, Hairy Crab, Crab Roe Noodles, Osmanthus Lotus Seed Soup, and Pine Nut Jujube Cake. (3) Suzhou Museum (Main Hall) is very popular, remember to book 7 days in advance, closed on Mondays. (4) In Suzhou, you can use the Jiangsu Transportation Card and Shanghai United Transportation Card (Red Card) directly on buses and subways.