The authentic essence of Gusu is truly embodied in the seven-mile Shantang

Suzhou's tourism resources are very rich, with many attractions. It would probably take a month to visit all the tourist spots in Suzhou. If you only have three or four days to stay in Suzhou, in addition to visiting the famous gardens and tasting the local snacks, be sure to set aside at least half a day for Shantang Street. Because Shantang Street retains so much of the authentic essence of Suzhou, you can experience the traditional culture and long history of old Suzhou. During the Tang Dynasty, Bai Juyi, the governor of Suzhou, dredged the Shantang River, which brought prosperity to the area around the river. Later, this ancient riverside street gradually became a bustling tourist and commercial street because it is located between the bustling Changmen market and the famous Tiger Hill scenic area. Shantang Street can be divided into two sections, east and west. The eastern section starts from Changmen Duseng Bridge to Bantang Bridge, and the western section refers to the area from Bantang Bridge to Tiger Hill. Most of the residences on the east side of the Shantang River are built close to the water, with pavilions and towers supported by wooden piles. The west side of the river has a wider and more open water surface, with flowers and green trees planted along the banks. The ancient bridges that span the river are either flat or arched, with single or triple arches. When visiting Shantang Street, be sure to remember to take a ride on Suzhou's local painted boats or black-awning boats, and tour the ancient streets and bridges on the water to experience the culture of 'small bridges, flowing water, and households' of the Jiangnan region. Location information: Shantang Street is located in the northwest outside Changmen of Suzhou's ancient city, Jiangsu Province, starting from Changxu Road in the north to Xishan Temple Bridge at the southwest foot of Tiger Hill. Transportation information: Shantang Street Station on Suzhou Rail Transit Line 2. 【Recommended Route】 Changmen City Tower—Tang Shaofu Bai Gong Temple—Yu Bei Pavilion—Shantang Old Street—Gangzhou Guild Hall—Shantang Culture and Folk Customs Museum—Jiangnan Boat Culture Museum—Chamber of Commerce Museum—Shantang Carved Building—Wang's Charity Estate—Shaanxi Guild Hall—Dongqi Guild Hall—Guanyin Pavilion—Wu Zhong Bei's Memorial Hall—Ancient Archway Cluster—Imperial Bao'en Zen Temple—Five People's Tomb—Bai Gong Dike Stone Pillar—Pufu Zen Temple—Bao's Charity Estate Temple—Li Hongzhang Temple—Tiger Hill Scenic Area.