A Lively Stroll Through History at Qili Shantang

#discoverchina#suzhou We visited Qili Shantang at lunch hour, when the ancient canal street was at its most vibrant—bustling with tourists, street vendors calling out, and boats gliding along the water. The energy was infectious, but luckily, we found a hidden gem: a quaint restaurant tucked away from the crowds, offering a quiet corner with a charming river view. As we enjoyed our meal, we admired the iconic white-washed buildings with black-tiled roofs reflected on the canal’s surface, a scene unchanged for centuries. Dating back to the Tang Dynasty (825 AD),this historic waterfront district was built by Poet-Governor Bai Juyi to improve transportation and commerce. Once a thriving hub for merchants and scholars, today it preserves Suzhou’s legacy as the "Venice of the East." Eating here felt like savoring flavors alongside history itself—where every brick and ripple tells a story.