Shantang Street, with a length of 7 km, is an ancient riverside pedestrian road in northwest Suzhou City of Jiangsu Province. This is very popular with tourists. From Changmen Gate (the west gate of the ancient city) in the downtown Suzhou, it winds northwest on the northern bank of the Shantang River, and ends at scenic Tiger Hill. 

What to see?
Shantang Street can be sectioned into two by Bantang Bridge. The east part, from Duseng Bridge in Changmen, is built up with houses and shops; while the west part, from the Tiger Hill, is natural landscape. The entire block features typical characteristics of south China in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The clear river meanders along under small arched bridges interspersed with wooden boats adrift, passing numerous old residences and shops on the bustling street. All the above is a picturesque rendering of a beautiful ancient water town in south China. It is ideally a place to stroll, try all kinds of local snacks and pick up souvenirs. You should go boating to take in the street scene from a different angle. When night falls and the red lanterns glimmer below the eaves, it becomes hard to resist. Tourists could not help exclaiming, ‘Yes, this is Suzhou!’

The old Shantang Street sector is about 360 meters long. Although it fills only one tenth of the length, it has the essence of the Shantang block and is called the 'miniature of the old Suzhou’ and the ‘window of Jiangsu culture’. It was a commodities hub, where merchants conducted business and community staged folk activities. It was one of the most eventful streets in Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1911) Dynasties. Qing Emperor Qianlong liked the Shantang Street very much. When he toured Suzhou in 1762, he left words to praise the wonderful scene. It was engraved on a stele that is still kept at the entrance of the street. He even built an imitation ‘Suzhou Street’ in the imperial garden Summer Palace in Beijing.

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Travel Tips
Add: in the north of Suzhou City,Jiangsu Province
Entrance Fee: CNY 45 
Common Tour Boat: CNY 25 per person; 45 minutes.
Manual Ship: CNY 100 per boat (a boat can hold eight people)
Hours: 8:00 to 21:00 (tickets for day boating before 17:00, and tickets for night boating after 17:00)
Opening Hours: 08:00-17:30

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