Shantang Street (Chinese: 山塘街; pinyin: Shāntáng Jiē; Suzhou Wu: Se daon ka, Wu Chinese pronunciation: [se̞ dɑ̃ kɑ]), also known as Seven-li 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 Canal | |
| Native name | 山塘街 (Chinese) |
|---|---|
| Length | 3,830 m (12,570 ft) |
| Location | Northwestern Gusu District, Suzhou |
| Construction | |
| Inauguration | 825 AD |
| Other | |
| Status | Complete |
In 2015, the Shantang Street Scenic Area was added to the list of China's "National Historic and Cultural Streets".[4]
History edit
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 that was 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 then built on the 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]
References edit
- ^ "Shantang Street China Daily". Retrieved 26 July 2016.
- ^ a b "Suzhou Shantang Street - Introduction". Suzhou ponds and Tourism Development Co., Ltd. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
- ^ "Shantang Street (Seven-Li Shantang)".
- ^ "Historical streets in Jiangsu listed as national heritage". China Daily. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Shantang Street". Retrieved 26 July 2016.
- ^ "Shantang Street (Seven-Li Shantang)". Retrieved 26 July 2016.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Shantang Street, Seven-Li Shan Tang of Suzhou".
External links edit
- 苏州山塘街 - Official site (in Chinese)
- Suzhou Shantang Street - Official English site
- Suzhou Shantang Kunqu Opera House - Mildchina
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