Shantang Street runs from southeast to northwest and is about seven miles long, hence the name “Seven Mile Shantang”. Shantang Street has a history of 1,000 years and was built under the auspices of the Tang poet Bai Juyi when he was an official in Suzhou. Today, at the southern end of the street, you can see the Bai Gong Shrine, which was built by the people in memory of Bai Juyi.
The northwestern end of Shantang Street reaches to Huqiu and the southeastern end is at the Gate of Heaven. The street runs parallel to the Shantang River, with an ancient bridge spanning the river, and the stone-paved street is flanked by old houses with whitewashed walls and a forest of stores. At night, the illuminated red lanterns reflect in the river, making it suitable for photos. You can also take a boat ride or find a teahouse to drink tea and listen to commentaries.
There are also monuments such as pagodas, ancestral halls and guildhouses. There are a dozen or so guildhouses alone, which were once the offices of foreign chambers of commerce in Suzhou, and most of them were built in the middle of the Qing Dynasty.
Travel Tips
Address: No.177 Shantang Street, Gusu District, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
Tel: 0512-65314467
Opening Hours: 8:00-21:00