Red lanterns
On the water.
Chensiyuan — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Liuxingy — CC BY-SA 4.0 · song songroov — CC BY 3.0 · Peter K Burian — CC BY 4.0 · ogwen — CC BY-SA 3.0 · song songroov — CC BY 3.0 · Another Believer — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gisling — CC BY 2.5
A historic canal-side street running about 3,830 m from the old Changmen Gate to Tiger Hill, known as «Seven-Li Shantang» because it is a little over seven Chinese li long; locals call it «Suzhou's first street». The Shantang canal was dug in 825 under the Tang on the order of the famous poet Bai Juyi, then governor of Suzhou, to make Tiger Hill easier to reach, and in 2015 the street was listed among China's national historic and cultural streets. Its liveliest part is the eastern end near Changmen, with traditional houses, stone bridges and red lanterns mirrored in the water, snack, craft and gift shops, and boats setting off along the canal. Wandering is free; it's loveliest after sunset when the lanterns light up, and boat trips are ticketed. Many snacks contain pork, so ask about ingredients.
On the water.
To Tiger Hill.
Old and arched.
From Changmen Gate to Tiger Hill, northwest Suzhou
The famous poet Bai Juyi in 825, as governor of Suzhou, to make Tiger Hill easier to reach; the street is free to wander.
