romarathon

2018-02-25 06:05:09

If you'd like to see what Suzhou was like in the past, the old street captures all that old world charm. A lot of the homes have been renovated to look old, but the street and bridges are original. There is some great shopping, but note that this is a tourist trap and many of the prices are much much higher. It's a wonderful place to take a stroll though and people watch. Enjoy some tea overlooking the canal for a lazy afternoon. To get there, take line 1 to Shantangjie and take exit 1, turn right and walk towards the bridge. Remember your camera!

taycp

2018-03-21 13:28:23

This place should visit when you at Suzhou. Great scenery place with old building and river. Great heritage structures and many choice of shops.

AndrewXJKT

2018-02-17 17:20:18

My suggestion is not the brightly litted Shantang Jie that most tourists are familiar with. I would like to add on, for those prefer to be away from the crowd and free and easy travellers; please try to take this walk once you have finished touring Tiger Hill. Walk down to the main road (from South Gate of Tiger HIll), about 500m, you will cross a bridge over Shantang River. Walk down to the right of the bridge, you will walk along the beautiful, tranquil and historical Shantang Jie (along Shantang River) where the local people live but restored well by the local administration. Along the way, you will pass by buildings used to be occupied by the revolutionists, temples, ancestor house (the famed architect I.M. Pei family), historical bridges etc. These buidlings / structures are not spectacular on its own; but in total all make up the mood and atmosphere of the walk.The walk is for about an hour or more depending on your own speed of stroll. My two kids age 9 and 12 could make it. I guess most of the travellers will too. The first part of the walk was tidy and restored path. Almost to the end, you will walk through the normal houses with local community. As discerned traveller, most of us will understand not to create any uneasiness for the local community. Worth noting is the local community are oblivious to the tourists like us walking through their pathway and appear to be friendly and warm. Then came the surprise part came to us. You walk into the local traditional market with stalls selling local vegetables, fishes, poultry, snacks, steamed buns etc. At the end of this traditional market then only came the more commercial Shantang Jie that you will see in the postcard. Which is your choice? Make your pick. You could have both. But if I have only once choice, I will choose this walk again. Bonus point: And you have one newly built clean public toilet along this walk.

hweeing

2018-02-21 09:56:10

We stayed at youth hostel in Shangtang for 3D2N by Sept 2014. This place is quite at day time. Nite we can see lots of tourist and guide tour make this street become busy. The scene is very beautiful at nite. There are many restaurant and bar along the river. The nite scene of this old town is awesome therefore must come stay a nite to experience the life of this historical town.

miguele888

2018-01-11 06:49:22

Located in Suzhou, Jiangsu. This street still has the last century houses and old people live near by. The street is surrounded by a canal and you can buy souvenirs and typical food. Here is the prefect location to make really good pictures. At night the lights give the street a sense of romantic and poetic atmosphere.