Shantang Street (Seven-Li Shantang)
In Tang Baoli year 1 (825), Bai Juyi, serving as prefect of Suzhou, dug the Shantang River (“Lord Bai's Embankment”); a 7-li ancient street running to Tiger Hill
Visitor info
- Opening hours
- Open all day
- Ticket
- Area free
Price is indicative — final quote on inquiry.
In Tang Baoli year 1 (825), Bai Juyi, then prefect of Suzhou, oversaw the digging of the Shantang River and the building of Shantang Street; grateful later generations called this seven-li street running straight from Changmen Gate to Tiger Hill “Lord Bai's Embankment” (Bai Gong Di). For over a thousand years merchant boats never ceased to ply the Shantang River, wine banners fluttering on both banks; in Ming and Qing times it was Suzhou's most prosperous commercial street, hailed as “the number one street of Gusu.” Ming residences such as Yuhan Tang are well preserved, and the red lanterns by Tonggui Bridge reflected in the river make the classic photo spot for Shantang at night. After dark, ride a painted pleasure boat along the Shantang River to Tiger Hill — river lanterns and the sound of oars, all steeped in Tang poetry. The street area is free; boat rides and a few of the residences charge admission.
Getting there: Metro Line 2, Shantang Street Station
Photos
More in Suzhou
- Humble Administrator's Garden
Built in the fourth year of the Ming Zhengde reign (1509) by Wang Xianchen, with Wen Zhengming participating in the design, the 'Mother of Chinese Gardens' (a representative Jiangnan garden): Hall of Distant Fragrance / Little Flying Rainbow (Suzhou's only covered bridge) / 'With Whom Shall I Sit' Pavilion
- Suzhou Museum (Main Building)
I.M. Pei's final masterpiece (opened 2006), 'Chinese yet new, Suzhou yet new'; the sliced-rock hillside borrows the white wall of the Humble Administrator's Garden as its backdrop
- Lion Grove Garden
Built in 1342 (2nd year of the Yuan Zhizheng era) by Zen Master Tianru (Lion Grove Chan Temple); a labyrinth of Taihu Lake rockeries ('kingdom of rockeries', nine interweaving routes); Emperor Qianlong visited six times and inscribed 'True Delight'
- Lingering Garden
Xu Taishi built the East Garden in the Ming Wanli era; Liu Shu's Hanbi (Cold Green) Villa in the Qing dynasty
- Master of the Nets Garden
Site of Southern Song Shi Zhengzhi's Wanjuan Hall ('Fisherman's Retreat'); rebuilt in the Qianlong era of the Qing by Song Zongyuan as the 'Master of the Nets' (fisherman, his self-styled name)
- Canglang Pavilion
Built in 1045 (5th year of the Northern Song Qingli era) by Su Shunqin, Suzhou's oldest surviving garden ('scenery before you enter the gate' — double corridor with lattice windows); the famous couplet 'A clear breeze and bright moon are priceless' (assembled from lines by Ouyang Xiu and Su Shunqin)