From Qili Shantang to Tiger Hill, the scenery on both banks is picturesque

"Shantang River" is a water conservancy heritage with a history of over a thousand years in the ancient city of Suzhou. In the second year of the Baoli era of the Tang Dynasty (825 AD), Bai Juyi, then the governor of Suzhou, supervised the excavation of this waterway, which starts from Tiger Hill in the west and extends east to the city moat at Changmen. The Shantang River is 3,600 meters long, hence the name "Qili Shantang" (Seven Li Shantang). The river and street form a unique structure of "water and land running parallel, river and street adjacent." The residential layout with the front door facing the street and the back door by the river has continued for a thousand years, showcasing the Jiangnan water town style of "When you arrive in Gusu, every home rests by the river." Numerous historical sites are distributed along the banks, and night tours of Shantang River are famous for lanterns, black-awning boats, and the reflections of ancient bridges.

Post by leonaortiz97 | Oct 30, 2025