Zhangjiagang

Zhangjiagang was a small rural town until the economic reforms of the mid 1980s brought industry and business to the area. The city has a population of around 1.4 million (2021). Administratively, it is a county-level city within the prefecture-level city Suzhou.

Most of Zhangjiagang is accessible on foot. The streets are clean and well-maintained by Chinese standards. All major roads are marked with signs in Pinyin.

Taxis are cheap and ubiquitous. Flag drop is ¥10, including distance up to 2.8 km. Most of the city center is within that range, though far-flung areas may be a bit higher. A few cab drivers speak a bit of English, but the vast majority do not.

Its difficult to get taxis during the period of 16:45 to 17:15 since the drivers have a shift change.

There is a city bus service, with ¥1 fare. However, it is not traveler-friendly, and can be difficult even for the locals. However for short distances and if routes known, buses are better.

• The Gray Chef. Excellent cuts of meat. 
• The Small Devil. Italian. The food is alright but not spectacular. Pizza is hit or miss. 
• Mai Tian. French and American cuisine; the filet is a great meat choice. Total meal is about ¥160. Food overall is quite good and there is a decent wine menu. This is the only restaurant in town with truly Western service (servers will let you study the menu before asking you to order). 
• Mandi Mandi. Italian place with terrific gnocchi and great selection of Italian beers and other drinks. Pricey but great if you want to treat yourself. Yangshe Laojie (old Street). Toz on tap at ¥40 a glass.

Outside the hotels, there are two main bars in town which cater to foreigners. They have a decent selection of western drinks, and the prices are among the best in town.

• Malone's Bar, just west of the Walking Street shopping district, is by far the most popular place for foreigners to drink and network. The girls behind the bar speak enough English to get by, and the many locals who stop in to practice their English are usually willing to help translate. Be sure to try the excellent jiaozi (Chinese dumplings), which the bar girls will order from a shop nearby (the jiaozi shop doesn't speak any English). Most taxi drivers understand "Malone's Bar".
• Cheers Bar, also known as Lucy's, has a more relaxed atmosphere, nicer furnishings, and the staff speaks better English. However, it is located far away from most of the other bars. The easiest way to get there is to tell a taxi driver to go to the swimming pool (you yong chi). Standing at the front doors of the swimming pool, turn around and look across the street; Cheers Bar has the biggest neon sign nearby.
• Excellent Bar, next door to Cheers Bar, is a karaoke bar (instead of a private karaoke room, the standard approach in China). The drink prices are higher than other places and the girls don't speak much English, but they have an extensive selection of English songs.
• Bistro Champ de Ble, though a restaurant, is the only place in town to get a pint of draft beer. They have Japanese Asahi on tap.
• Paramount, Located behind Malone's 3 floors up. You can't miss the rainbow neons decorating the staircase. This bar features smoke machines, laser effects, loud music, dancers and some friendly staff. It can be on the expensive side, but is one of the best Bar/Club in town definitely worth a visit.
• Night Jasmine Lounge. Night Jasmine Lounge. A really nice bar. The newest bar in town. A really chill atmosphere and really good beer. Serves draft Hofbräuhaus, a German beer that is brewed in Jiangyin. From the west end of walking street, head north. It's a couple of blocks, on the west side of the road. Highly recommended. 

There are many other bars in town, some of which cater to specific tastes, others of which are quite forgettable.

• Champ de ble. A very elegant place yet affordable.The food is excellent and the waitresses can speak English and are very helpful. They also arrange parties and have a great musicians to entertain the entire crowd during party.A great place to enjoy good wines and good food.Highly recommended especially if you are bringing a date with you. 
• House Bar & Kitchen, YangShe DongJie. Chill, casual place to meet locals and foreigners in Zhangjiagang. The House Bar used to be Hug Bar at Yangshe Laojie but is now rebranded and reopened at a different location. The pizza is good and there's a selection of foreign beers, hot beverages, and good food on site and delivered. Cool international and local staff with good spoken English, polite, warm and willing to take you as you are. ¥25 for Asahi beer on tap. (updated Aug 2015)
• Echo's Cafe & Pub, 1-2, 2nd floor, Yangshe Dongjie (from Old Street (Yangshe Lao Jie), head towards Shazhou Lu on Yuanlin Lu and turn right into Yangshe Dongjie (street just before ICBC on Yuanlin Lu), heading towards the river; as soon as you turn right, the bar is on your left on the corner, up the stairs to the 2nd floor), ☏ +86 139 157 15317. 16:00-02:00, everyday. Artsy little pet-friendly joint, and a crowd puller among both locals and foreigners. Lots of character thanks to Echo and Rachel, the co-owners, Olaf the dog, Louis the black cat and Zozo the newest kitty in the family. Nice outdoor seating in the summer and perfect location for people watching. Great selection of movies and music in English, European languages and Chinese. Great place to have a beer after work, cosy and chilled out but lively later into the evening. Echo is a gem of a person, very helpful and attentive, stylish and just supercool - excellent, straightforward service. Great place to meet friendly locals and foreigners alike. No food served but you can order from nearby joints, even from the neighbouring House Bar. Nice potted plant garden and wonderful for holding little parties, barbecues, pot luck etc. ¥15 for small glass, ¥25 for a pint of Tiger on tap. (updated May 2017)