Shantang Street – Explore the Bustling Ancient Street of Suzhou

Shantang Street is the most popular tourist destination in Suzhou. This street has preserved its traditional architecture and rural waterways for thousands of years, adding to Suzhou’s charming and poetic appeal. Today, Shantang Street serves as both a vibrant pedestrian street and a top food and entertainment hub that you must visit when in Suzhou. Join Vietjet in discovering the unique features of ancient Shantang Street!

Shantang Street has retained its charming, poetic beauty through the ages.

1. Where is Shantang Street?

Shantang Street is located in the northwest of Gusu District, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. This ancient street in Suzhou is also known as Seven-li Shantang because its total length is 3,829.6 meters, equivalent to 7 li or 7 traditional Chinese miles.

2. Best Time to Explore Shantang Street

There are two best periods to explore Suzhou in general and Shantang Street in particular:

April to May (spring): This season boasts warm weather and vibrant natural scenery, especially cherry blossoms in full bloom. It is also the time for various traditional festivals such as Lunar New Year and Qingming Festival, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
October to November (autumn): The romantic autumn is painted with red maple leaves and gentler skies. This season’s cool and pleasant weather is ideal for taking a boat tour along Shantang Street.

The best time to visit Shantang Street is during spring and autumn.

See more: What’s beautiful about Suzhou, China? What local specialties are famous?

3. How to Get to Shantang Street

3.1 Getting to Suzhou

Currently, there are no direct flights from cities in Vietnam to Suzhou. However, you can fly to Shanghai and then take a high-speed train or a regular train to Suzhou. At Vietjet, flight tickets to Shanghai, China, are available at promotional prices starting from 490,000 VND (excluding taxes and fees). View detailed information HERE.

3.2 Getting to Shantang Street

Suzhou offers a variety of public transportation options for travelers, including taxis, subways, buses, motorbikes, and even tourist experiences like rickshaws and boats.

See more: How to get around in China?

4. A Glimpse into Shantang Street's History

Shantang Street is considered the "First Ancient Street of Suzhou" and dates back to the year 825 AD, making it over 1,200 years old. It is known as the "miniature version of old Suzhou" and the "cultural window of Jiangsu." It was one of the most vibrant commercial streets during the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties, where merchants conducted trade and exchanges.

Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty greatly admired Shantang Street. During his inspection tour of Suzhou in 1762, he praised the scenic beauty of the area—a sentiment engraved on a stone stele still standing at the entrance of the street. He even built a "Replica Suzhou Street" in the royal Summer Palace in Beijing.

Today, while modern influences have blended in, Shantang Street still preserves its traditional charm. Visitors can enjoy traditional foods from long-standing brands like Cai Zhi Zhai, Wufangzhai, and Qian Sheng Yuan, or shop for culturally valuable souvenirs such as wood carvings, stone engravings, and embroidery.

5. Discover the Highlights of Shantang Street

5.1 Ancient Architecture

Shantang Street stretches from downtown Suzhou to Tiger Hill and is divided by Bantang Bridge into two parts. The eastern part starts from Duseng at Changmen and is a residential area, while the western part near Tiger Hill is known for its scenic beauty.

This area resembles a stunning painting of an ancient water town in southern China. All the houses are closely spaced along both riverbanks and maintain Suzhou’s traditional architectural style with whitewashed walls, black-tiled roofs, and red lanterns hanging at the doors. The clear, poetic river meanders through the houses, dotted with arched bridges and drifting boats.

Shantang Street features typical Suzhou architecture with whitewashed walls, black-tiled roofs, and red lanterns.

5.2 Boat Tour Along the Ancient Street

In a water town, you must take a boat tour to fully experience its charm. You can start your boat ride at the riverside with a ticket price of 50 RMB (around 170,000 VND). This allows you to view Shantang Street from a different, more serene and poetic angle.

It's best to take the boat in the late afternoon, when the air is humid and the entire street is enveloped in a dreamy mist. You can also enjoy the radiant sunset at Tiger Hill.

5.3 The Enchanting Night View of Shantang Street

Nightfall transforms Shantang Street into a dazzling scene. The ancient Suzhou street is illuminated by red lanterns hanging from every house, casting a magical glow over the river.

This is also the busiest time for the pedestrian street with nighttime entertainment, dining, and shopping. You can take check-in photos, stroll through the old street at night, shop for charming souvenirs, or savor hot, fragrant street food.

The enchanting night view of Shantang Street.

6. Experience Suzhou's Signature Dishes

When visiting Suzhou, you must try its famous local specialties. Here are some highlights to note:

Yangcheng Lake Hairy Crab: This crab is found only in Yangcheng Lake, with rich, sweet, and nutritious meat. It is usually served whole and dipped in vinegar with ginger. The best time to enjoy it is in autumn when the crab roe is at its fullest.
Pan-fried Buns: These small, bite-sized buns are perfect for a light breakfast or a quick snack. The golden crispy crust combined with various savory fillings will win you over from the very first bite.
Xiangyou Eel Salad: A dish that showcases Suzhou’s culinary essence. The eel is boiled and shredded, then stir-fried with ginger and scallions for added flavor and finally tossed with fermented soybean paste for a rich, savory taste.

Yangcheng Lake Hairy Crab – a famous Suzhou specialty.

We hope this article has introduced you to the distinctive features of Shantang Street – Suzhou’s ancient and poetic old town.

See more: What documents do you need for a China tourist visa?

Currently, Vietjet does not operate direct flights from Vietnam to Suzhou, China. Therefore, you can opt to fly to nearby cities like Shanghai and continue your journey to Suzhou. Don’t miss the chance to hunt for flight deals to Shanghai, China, and the promotional 0 VND domestic and international airfares available daily during the golden hours from 12:00–14:00.

You can stay updated on flight schedules and international ticket promotions through Vietjet’s official information channels.