A city claiming a history of a thousand years or more is commonplace in China, but the only proof of their antiquity may be a lonely tower preserved in the city center. However, Suzhou is an exception: Throughout its history of 2,500 years, Suzhou’s urban layout has changed little since its origins in the tumultuous Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC). One of the most convincing pieces of evidence is the Map of Pingjiang (former name of Suzhou) drawn in 1229. Compare a tourist map of contemporary Suzhou with the map of old Pingjiang: the canals and thoroughfares of the old city almost identically line up with today’s streets after eight hundred years. Of those streets, Pingjiang Road is the best place to experience the city’s distinctive folk culture.
Pingjiang Road runs alongside a river of the same name. Both the road and the river can be seen on the old Map of Pingjiang, bearing testimony to their illustrious history. Neither the road nor the river is broad, and together they measure no more than 30 meters across. Flanking the road are narrow, parallel lanes that extend from east to west. Hotels, teahouses, restaurants, shops, and old residences all contribute to a strong folk atmosphere along Pingjiang Road.
Compared to Shantang Street, another ancient road in Suzhou(always listed as China best tours), Pingjiang Road has shunned the allure of commercial refurbishment in favor of preserving as many aspects of the local lifestyle and customs as possible. From 2002 to 2004, the Pingjiang historic block was reconstructed, but its original look was maintained, earning the project an Honorable Mention in the 2005 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. The jury praised the reconstruction as “a commendable example for urban conservation and rehabilitation that is in line with national and international conservation guidelines.” Pingjiang’s sensitive restoration retains both the original appearance of the buildings and their inhabitants. The community has ensured long-term sustainability without sacrificing historic continuity.
So far, many old houses along Pingjiang Road have been renovated into bars, clubs, or shops where you can entertain after yoru tired China travel in Suzhou attractions. It’s hard to distinguish these commercial establishments from nearby ordinary residences by their unsophisticated wooden facades alone. A look inside will reveal that contemporary design has supplanted vintage flair. Designers incorporated modern elements into the old buildings, and made every possible effort to cater to the rising demands of the young generation.
The theme bookshop Cat’s Castle in the Sky sells a variety of handmade crafts, as well as cat-themed porcelain ware and postcards, on the first floor. On its second floor is a casually-furnished reading room, where visitors can enjoy a book while sipping coffee just like at home. Such shops, of course, are tailored for young customers, especially students. For middle-aged tourists like me, old-style teahouses along the Pingjiang River are better choices.
Suzhou’s long-standing reputation as a tea producer explains the preponderance of teahouses lining Pingjiang Road. Compared to local bars and theme shops that merely keep the image of tradition from the street, those teahouses are old-fashioned both inside and out, inviting customers to the Suzhou from decades ago.
While sitting in a riverside teahouse and looking through its wood-carved windows, one may occasionally see several girls in cheongsams taking photos by a stone bridge while holding beautiful parasols. From time to time, boats cruise the river in the shade. Unlike the dreamlike ambience of old teahouses, a number of folk art theaters along the road may take you back to the orthodox folk culture of old Suzhou which you can experience some specific culture in south China for your Suzhou popular China tours.
Deep in the lanes veering off from Pingjiang Road are many theaters, some of which have been converted into museums, such as Kunqu Opera Museum and Suzhou Ballad Museum. I can understand some Suzhou dialect. One afternoon, I visited a teahouse where I was lucky enough to encounter a storytelling performance. Except for me, the dozens of middle-aged and elderly spectators were all native residents. The storyteller was singing a humorous story about a wise, uncorrupted official judging a case, and the audience often burst into hearty laughter. Local residents need to pay only four yuan a month to enjoy storytelling performances in the teahouse. A single ticket for tourists costs six yuan, which includes a cup of tea. Even those who cannot understand Suzhou dialect can enjoy the melodic tones.
If you’re a foodie, the Pinfang Snack Restaurant might consume more of your time than you’d expect. Although it lacks the historical esteem of its neighbors, the restaurant runs the gamut of local snacks. Its advantageous location and excellent food quality will surely make the restaurant a famous brand in Suzhou.
Tourists to Pingjiang Road are suggested to stay one or two nights at local guesthouses refurbished from traditional residences. These guesthouses combine old-fashioned architecture with modern sanitation facilities, enabling guests to enjoy a comfortable stay while having a nostalgic experience. More importantly, a stroll along the road at night departs the past with a walk through the lights and sounds of Suzhou’s nightlife. Its night views are quite different than during the daylight hours: Lights through windows of riverside households flicker in the distance, and the reflections of boats and arched bridges sway together with rippling water. The poetic view of southern China’s water towns comes to life.
If you want to know more about the road, you can contact with China tour agents for more and more.
No comments:
Post a Comment