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Pingjiang Road

Location

Pingjiang Road, Pingjiang District, Suzhou, China

Reasons to visit

A unique historic block to admire ancient buildings and find local snacks

Our Ratings

Opening Hours

All day for free

Pingjiang Road is a historical street that is located in the northeastern Suzhou ancient city. The length of this road is 1,606 meters which has been recorded since the Song Dynasty. On the map of Suzhou ancient city in Song Dynasty, the Pingjiang Road was regarded as the main route. After 800 years, Pingjiang Road is still well-preserved.

Pingjiang Road is a stone route with a river flowing along it. Bridges across the river, houses with white walls and black roofs built along the stone road, locals especially the old walking leisurely, the scene here shows a traditional Suzhou local life. As well, it is a traditional Chinese painting scene for tourists to appreciate. Because of its ancient style, Pingjiang Road becomes the symbol of Suzhou ancient city. Only a street distance away to the Guanqian Pedestrian Street, Pingjiang Road is a quite place for people to get rid of the noisy city.

The street, busy with vehicular and pedestrian traffic despite its narrowness, received an honourable mention from UNESCO in 2005 when it took the Asia Pacific Heritage Award for Culture Heritage Conservation.

When you walk in the Pingjiang historical block, the road was still the old paved roads; the river was still green and clear and the residence was still as quiet as before. Waling on the Pingjiang road, you can see all the scenery was as beautiful as a painting. The black tiles have the traces of white wall when it rains, just like a Chinese ink. In these old residences, there was a gallery managed by a Frenchman or a reading corner managed by an Irish or a residential hostel or a hotel for backpacker. However, there were also some special shops for the natives in Suzhou, like carved jade or teahouse of different theme. The people walking on the road or sitting at the windows can not distinguish they were enjoying the painting or in the painting.

What to See in Pingjiang Road

【Cake Bridge】
There is a bridge situated along Pingjiang called the “Cake Bridge” which was named after a man who used to bring cake for his mother every day. One day, however, he couldn’t work and therefore couldn’t buy the cake for his mother. He was then forced to make a “cake” from snow. This story, as weird as it sounded, was true and showed how much this man loved his mother.

【Museum for Kunqu Opera】
The museum for the Kunqu opera is also located there. In it there is an assembled stage for Kunqu performances in the late Qing Dynasty – an important item for exhibition in the China Kunqu Museum. History shows it used to be assembled for performances to wealthy families with the musicians sitting on three sides of the stage.

【Former Residences of Famous Figure】

There were many former residence of famous people, for example, the former residence of a bookworm whose name was Huang Pilie in the Xuanqiao Lane, it was said that the residence was his little library. In the same lane, the former residence of Hongjun was also there. Hongjun was a “Zhuangyuan” (the one who came first in the highest imperial examination) in Qing Dynasty; he lived here with Sai Jinhua. Besides, you can also see the former residence of the famous doctor Qian Boxuan and the Garden of historian Gu Jigang. However, these old residence were changed into residential area. Although the main hall of the residence and the carve patterns on the woodwork still keep their original appearance, the high wall can not segregate the life of town. Now you can only find the remains of history in the window bar or in the purl or even on the rock. Perhaps, the most meaningful memory of Suzhou was embodied in the life of local residents and the culture of old residences.

Things to Do on Pingjiang Road

Take a Boat Ride

One of the best ways to enjoy the charm of Pingjiang Road and its surroundings is by taking a traditional boat ride along the canals. Local boatmen often row you through the narrow water lanes, giving you a different perspective of the area. It's a relaxing and picturesque way to explore the old town of Suzhou.

Visit the Suzhou Museum

The Suzhou Museum, located nearby, is an architectural masterpiece designed by world-renowned architect I. M. Pei. The museum features exhibits on Suzhou's history, traditional crafts and garden culture, making it a perfect complement to a visit to Pingjiang Road.

Explore the Tea and Silk Shops

Suzhou has a long history of silk production, and Pingjiang Road is home to numerous shops where you can buy high-quality silk products such as scarves, clothing, and embroidered items. You can also find shops selling Suzhou silk paintings and other traditional handicrafts.

Stroll Along the Scenic Canal

The canals running along Pingjiang Road provide a perfect backdrop for a leisurely walk. The road is less commercialized compared to other areas in Suzhou, making it ideal for those who want to experience the old-world charm of the city without the crowds. You can explore side alleys, visit local shops, and cross ancient stone bridges.

Pingjiang Road

Best Time to Visit Pingjiang Road

Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are the best times to visit Pingjiang Road. The weather is mild and pleasant, ideal for strolling along the canals and exploring the old town. Autumn is particularly scenic, with the foliage along the canals turning vibrant shades of red and gold.

Summer can be hot and humid, but it's still a good time to visit if you prefer fewer tourists.

Winter is quiet and less crowded, but it can be cold and wet. The canals and traditional architecture look particularly beautiful with the mist and frost, giving the area a more serene and mystical atmosphere.

How to Get to Pingjiang Road

By Metro: The nearest metro station to Pingjiang Road is Shilu Station(十路), which is on Suzhou Metro Line 1. From there, it's about a 10-minute walk to Pingjiang Road.

By Bus: Several buses pass through the Pingjiang Road area, with convenient stops near Shilu, Guanqian Street, and the Suzhou Museum.

By Taxi: Taxis are readily available throughout Suzhou, and the ride to Pingjiang Road is fairly inexpensive from any central location in the city.

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