A Walk Along Shantang Street

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Shantang Street is the most famous ancient street in Suzhou, said to be almost 1200 years old, built in the Tang Dynasty in 825AD. The founder was Bai JuYi, a famous poet of the time. The canal along the back of the shops and houses is called the Shantang River. The area has been home to many famous Chinese people in the past. It was - and still is - an important business center. There were some famous buildings along the street, but the signs were all in Chinese, so I have NO idea what they were! The street runs between the Dusengqiao Bridge in the Changmen Gate business district and the Washanqiao Bridge near Tiger Hill. It is 4 to 4 1/2 miles long and we walked about 1 1/2 miles of it.
It was one of those areas that "overloaded" my senses being there for the first time! It's all so different, I never know which way to look first. Now, when I look back at my pictures, I wonder why I didn't take pictures of certain things, but I guess I was just too busy taking it all in! I really have none that show the old shopping area! If anyone is interested in seeing it, do a search for Shantang Street Suzhou and you'll find lots of pics online! I thought the canal side was much more picturesque.
This was only about a 10 min walk from our hotel and I was hoping we could get back at night, but we never did.

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Photos

The Grand Theatre
It looked like you could pay and dress up to have your photo taken here

?????
Along Shantang Street, looked pretty, don't know what it is

Leah
At newer are near end of street by entance gate. Our hotel, the Holiday Inn Jasmine Suzhou, is in the distance (with the orange roof).

Embroidery loom
This was in a little store in a newer arts section

Changmen Gate
I'm guessing at this identity because we were at the end where this is supposed to be!

Bridge
Maybe the Dusengqiao Bridge

Unknown
This was a newer area at the end of Shangtang Street

Pedicabs
These drivers must have needed a break!

Statue
This was in the middle of a parking lot near McDonalds between our hotel and Shantang Street

Comments

[Terri Gagliardi]

Taxis?????
Are the open-air red vehicles (with the drivers "on break") their taxis? I like the canal area - kind of like a boardwalk with all its unique shops, etc.

[covemom]

vehicles
Those are called pedicabs, they are an alternative to a taxi if you're going a shorter distance. Leah is planning to do a blog entry soon about the different types of transportation.