Travel guide for pingjiang road

Huxiangshi Alley

With a length of nearly 400 meters, Huxiangshi Alley (胡厢使巷) starts from
Pingjiang Road in the west and reaches ancient inner city moat in the east.

An ancient stone arch bridge -- Huxiangshi Bridge (胡厢使桥) hides right in the
alley and it’s one of the seven existing ancient stone arch bridges in the old
town of Suzhou. It’s worth mentioning here that the bridge is almost 400 years
older than the Twin Bridges (Shuangqiao, 双桥) in Zhouzhuang Ancient Town.

Niujia Alley

As the former residence of Pan Shi’en (潘世恩) who was a zhuangyuan* and prime
minister in feudal China, Suzhou Zhuangyuan Museum (苏州状元博物馆) is situated in
Niujia Alley (钮家巷).

*Zhuangyuan is a title conferred on the one who came first in the highest
imperial examination in ancient China.

Besides, there is also a hundred-year-old bookstore called “Wen Xue Shan
Fang” (文学山房) in the alley that mainly sells second-hand books. Many people come
here to search for books.

Dongshengli

Dongshengli (东升里) has become the latest hotspot in Suzhou. Artists from both
home and abroad joined hands and built the lane into a popular “cultural and
arts gallery” in Suzhou and China through such types of urban art as graffiti,
spray paint mural, installation, performance, etc. Thus, the lane is truly a
good place for shutterbugs.

Zhongzhangjia Alley

Zhongzhangjia Alley (中张家巷) boasts a history of more than 100 years. It starts
from Cangjie Street (仓街) in the east and reaches the middle section of Pingjiang
Road in the west. After renovation, the ancient alley reproduces the original
look of Jiangnan water town.

Suzhou Opera Museum is located right in the alley where visitors often go to
feel the beauty of traditional Chinese opera.

Zhuchang Alley

Zhuchang Alley (邾长巷) measures 328 meters. It starts from Pingjiang Road in
the west and stops on Cangjie Street in the east. There is an ancient well --
Zhusiquan (洙泗泉) on the east end of the alley which is said to be drilled during
the reign of Guangxu Emperor (1875-1908).

A famous residence called “Kang Zhai” (康宅), which was previously recognized
as “the most impressive western-style house in Suzhou”, sits on the west end.
It’s also a popular filming location as quite a few film and TV drama crews have
shot scenes here.

There is a store opposite the residence and it has been popular for years for
selling tasty chicken feet. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t forget to visit
this store.