I stayed in a brilliant hotel just outside this gate called Zerunju Qingshe Renwen Homestay. The east side is small and very crowded. I had heard it was less crowded than the west, but that was not the case when I was there. I think this side could be nice on a rainy day during the week when few tourists go there. The east looks more authentic than the west, which is probably better for photrograpers .

If you are into Chinese culture, this is a must visit place. The place is located in between Suzhou and Hangzhou, so it's a little off the beaten path. It is an actual town dating back from 500 BC. People still actually live here. Some of the houses are converted into public exhibits showing ancient wine making, cloth dying (you see some of this in kungfu movies), bed store, etc. Some are exhibits showing the various festivals and ceremonies practiced in China. Make sure you don't accidentally enter a private residence. You can ride a boat to the other end and then walk back. The boatmen even serenades you on the way. Most visitors here are locals from the parts of China, so it may be very crowded during Chinese holidays.