If you're visiting Suzhou, Shantang Street (山塘街) is one place I'd definitely save for the late afternoon or evening. This is one of those places that looks nice during the day... but once the lanterns and lights come on beside the canal, that's when Shantang Street really comes alive. Traditional white houses. Stone bridges. Boats moving slowly through the canal. Red lanterns reflecting on the water. If you're looking for that classic Jiangnan water-town atmosphere, this is o
If you're visiting Suzhou for the first time, Pingjiang Road (平江路) is one place I definitely wouldn't skip. This is probably one of the best places to experience the classic 江南 — Jiangnan side of Suzhou. Small canals. Stone bridges. White traditional houses. Old alleyways. Boats slowly passing through the water. And plenty of little cafés, snack shops and stores hidden along the street. If Guanqian Street shows you the lively centre of Suzhou, Pingjiang Road gives you the Suz
