Among little islands scattered in Taihu Lake near Suzhou, Three Hills
Island is a more negligible one. Yet, the 2.8-square-kilometre island is
becoming a favourite among tourists.
The tranquil local town on Three Hills Island provides a relaxing and special
lifestyle for tourists. Its popularity is fueled by low prices for accommodation
and the opportunities for busy metropolitan animals to breathe the fresh air,
eat clean vegetables and embrace the miracles of nature.
"You can pay less than 100 yuan (US$12) a day to have a comfortable bedroom
and three local cuisines," said Huang Luhua, who was picking up emerald
malantou, a vegetable unique to the area, from a kitchen garden surrounded by
blossoming yellow rape flowers behind his house.
His house, which has no traces of air-conditioners and other advanced house
appliances, is shabby but large. In front of his house, four tourists were
playing mah-jong at a bamboo table and a dog was playfully chasing the chicks
wandering near the river.
"Shabby though it is, the tourists like to live in my house," said Huang,
while shouting to the dog to stop the chasing game.
Tranquil retreat
Secluded in the lake, the place is ideal for an escape from city life.
Visitors can sip a bowl of shrimp soup, nibble on fish fresh from the lake and
relax under flourishing willows near the lake shore.
Following the path surrounded by tall green reeds, you can see boats floating
in the lake near and far. Three hills overlook the small town and fields of rape
flower and fruit gardens.
The local habitants are kind and hospitable. A farmer in his fruit garden may
invite you to have a taste of ripe dillenia or other fruits you cannot name.
Visitors can try the fresh fish on a houseboat and sleep one night there.
Inside, candles glow in glasses and the boat rocks gently in the water. When we
visited, a dish of crabs was going for 20 yuan (US$2.4) and a large plate of
house chicken cost 25 yuan (US$3).
Live like a fisherman
For Jiang Jianming, 25, who was brought up here and now runs a small
restaurant in a houseboat, life on the island is boring but that is what
tourists are seeking.
"The tourists love living in my boat and experiencing a fisherman's life,"
Jiang said. "Their only complaint is they cannot easily find toilets on the bank
during the night."
"Some tourists fall in the water at night when they are in search of a
toilet. Luckily, the water is only one metre deep," he said.
This problem will be avoided if you stay in one of the houses on the bank,
which are equipped with nice bathrooms with warm water.
