Guanqian Street, situated in the heart of Suzhou City and a stone’s throw away from Suzhou Railway Station, is a commercial street with origins dating back to the Qing Dynasty. Now a pedestrian street, it stretches approximately 800 meters and, together with its surrounding roads such as Taijian Alley and Bifeng Lane, has evolved into a renowned snack street and bustling commercial district in Suzhou, comparable to Nanjing’s Confucius Temple and Shanghai’s City God Temple.
The street’s primary allure lies in its culinary offerings, boasting a plethora of century-old shops. Songhe Lou Restaurant, located at No. 72 Taijian Alley, has a history spanning over 200 years and is notably mentioned in the novel ‘Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils’ as the site where Qiao Feng and Duan Yu swore brotherhood. Here, one must try the authentic Squirrel Mandarin Fish, the restaurant’s signature dish. Other delectable options include Stir-fried Shrimp, Braised Eel in Spicy Oil, and Dongpo Pork. Deyue Lou, at No. 43 Taijian Alley and featured in the classic film ‘The Little Deyue Lou’, also offers traditional Suzhou cuisine. However, the steep prices at these establishments, with dishes costing over a hundred yuan, can be a deterrent for many tourists.
For those seeking more budget-friendly options, Lugao Jian at No. 8 Guanqian Street offers succulent sauced pork, and Luyin Wonton at No. 84 Bifeng Lane serves delicious wontons at a more approachable price point.
As night falls, Guanqian Street comes alive with bright lights, making it an ideal spot for shopping after a satisfying meal. Huang Tianyuan Cake Shop, found at No. 86 Guanqian Street, is renowned for its Date and Chinese Yam Cake, a delicacy mentioned in the classic literature ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’.On Guanqian Street, you’ll find the Zicai Zhai (No. 91 Guanqian Street), renowned for its Zongzi candy, which is perfect for sharing with loved ones as gifts. In addition to the candy, you can browse through a variety of silk scarves, Suzhou fans, and other local specialties that the street has to offer. For those interested in jewelry, there are numerous gold and silver shops, optical stores, and shoe stores lining the street.
For your shopping convenience, large shopping malls such as Dayang Department Store (No. 1331 Renmin Road), Renmin Department Store (No. 22 Beiju Road), and Changfa Commercial Building (No. 108 Lindun Road) provide a wide range of affordable clothing options.
In the heart of Guanqian Street, you can visit the historic Xuanmiao Temple, which lends its name to the street. This Taoist temple dates back to the second year of the Xian Ning era of the Western Jin Dynasty (AD 276) and was reconstructed in the sixth year of the Chunxi era of the Southern Song Dynasty (AD 1179). On the west side of the main hall, you’ll find the Sanqing Hall, home to the ‘Treasure of the Temple’—a stele featuring a painting of Laozi by Wu Daozi from the Tang Dynasty. The stele is inscribed with a eulogy by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, written by the esteemed calligrapher Yan Zhenqing, and carved by the master carver Zhang Yundi of the Song Dynasty.
The Xuanmiao Temple is open to visitors all year round, with 24-hour access, allowing you to explore its rich history and architectural beauty at your leisure.
