Travel in China
A Song-dynasty canal street running 1.6 km through old Suzhou - white-washed houses over the green canal.
Pingjiang Road is a 1.6-kilometre canal street that has preserved the layout of Song-dynasty Suzhou almost unchanged for 800 years. White-washed houses with black-tiled roofs lean over the canal on the east bank, while the narrow lane on the west preserves the scale of the old city.
The road is Suzhou's most atmospheric walk - silk shops, book cafes and teahouses occupy the lane's ancient buildings, while the canal-side houses still have residents who hang their laundry over the water. Pingtan (Suzhou storytelling) music drifts from teahouse doorways.
At its northern end, Pingjiang Road connects to the Suzhou Museum and the Humble Administrator's Garden; at its southern end, it meets the Shuangta (Twin Pagodas) quarter. The full length takes 30 minutes at a stroll - longer with stops for tea, snacks and shopping.
Highlights
The Song-Dynasty Layout
A canal street unchanged for 800 years - the definitive old Suzhou.
The Hand-Rowed Boats
Gondola-style boats gliding beneath the arched bridges.
The Teahouse Pingtan
Suzhou storytelling and ballad singing from teahouse doorways.
White Walls, Black Tiles
Whitewashed walls and black-tiled roofs leaning over the green canal.
The Arched Stone Bridges
Crossing points connecting the lane to the residential quarters.
The Book Cafes
Independent bookshops and cafes in ancient buildings.
Photo Gallery
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