Shantang Street

Shantang Street (Chinese: 山塘街; pinyin: Shāntáng Jiē; Suzhou Wu: Se daon ka, Wu Chinese pronunciation: [se̞ dɑ̃ kɑ]), also known as Seven-mile Shantang (Chinese: 七里山塘), is a street in northwestern Gusu District, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. The street connects Changmen (Chinese: 阊门) in the east with Huqiu in the west, with a total length of about 3,829.6 meters (2.38 miles),[1] or a little more than seven li or traditional "Chinese miles".[2] Due to the great history and events involving Shantang Street it is sometimes stated as being the "First Street in Shuzou".[3]

Shantang Street
Shantang Canal
Native name山塘街
Length3,830 m (12,570 ft)
LocationNorthwestern Gusu District, Suzhou
Construction
Inauguration825 AD
Other
StatusComplete
Puji Bridge (普济桥)

In 2015, the Shantang Street Scenic Area was added to the list of China's "National Historic and Cultural Streets".[4]

History
The Tonggui bridge over the canal at Shentang Street

Construction of the Shantang Canal (Chinese: 山塘河) started in 825 AD, during the Tang Dynasty by Bai Juyi, a poet and the Cishi (modern-day equivalent of the prefectural governor) of Suzhou, to provide a link between Huqiu and the city. The sludge dug out from the construction formed a dam along the north bank of the canal known as Baigong Dam (Chinese: 白公堤) in honor of Bai Juyi. A street was built on dam, which later became the modern-day Shantang Street.[2][5][6][7]

Along with Pingjiang Road, the street was declared a Historical and cultural block of China (Chinese: 中国历史文化街区) in 2015.[8]

Today, it is a popular tourist destination with visitors being attracted by the heritage nature of the buildings and the various old stone bridges.[9]

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References
  1. "Shantang Street China Daily". Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  2. "Suzhou Shantang Street - Introduction". Suzhou ponds and Tourism Development Co., Ltd. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  3. "Shantang Street (Seven-Li Shantang)".
  4. "Historical streets in Jiangsu listed as national heritage". China Daily. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  5. 中国第一古街苏州七里山塘景区. Sohu.com (in Chinese). 16 May 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  6. "Shantang Street". Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  7. "Shantang Street (Seven-Li Shantang)". Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  8. "苏州平江路、山塘街被认定为首批"中国历史文化街区"". Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  9. https://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/jiangsu/suzhou/shantang-street.htm


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