Guanqian Street

» Suzhou, Jiang Su

Guanqian Street Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Suzhou has always had places to shop - from when it was a medieval market town to the tourist center of today, visitors have always left Suzhou with a few interesting new items in their bags. Suzhou's shopping is concentrated in two areas - Guanqian Street in the center of the city, and the area around Shiquan Road in the south.

Three sections

The street running 760 meters long, consists of the eastern, middle and western sections. The eastern part is filled with nice ancient buildings of historical significance. The middle is mainly the temple and fashionable shops occupy the western part.

What to explore

Mysterious Taoist Temple

This 150-year-old street spreads in front of the Mysterious Taoist Temple (Xuanmiao Temple), which explains its name, which means "before a temple." The main hall of the temple dates from the Southern Song Dynasty, almost a thousand years ago. It attracts tens of thousands of visitors both home and abroad with its profound Taoism culture.

The temple is surrounded by a great open courtyard, which once served as a huge bazaar, where vendors and merchants would buy and sell all sorts of goods. There are hundreds of shops, restaurants, bars, stores and clubs in old fashioned structures surrounded by colorful signs and neon lights along the street. Even if you don't find what you're looking for, it's a great place to explore.

Century-old shops

With a history of more than 150 years, it is well-known for many century-old characteristic shops such as Daoxiangcun Confectionery Shop, Qiantaixiang Silk Shop, Huangtianyuan Round Dumpling Shop. Its catering street, which is located between Taijian Lane and Bifeng Lane, is well-known for Suzhou-style Dishes.

Renovation - walking street

This street has been renovated many times since then. On June 1982, the street was designated by the municipal authority as a "walking street" and a new night market was established. The street has been honored as the one of the Four Most Famous Walking Streets in China (other three: Nanjing's Confucius Temple, Shanghai's Town God Temple and Beijing's Tianqiao).

The reconstructed Guanqian Street has been becoming a commercial, cultural, religion and travel center with rich local color, sound traffic network, perfect infrastructure, rational overall commercial arrangement and excellent investment environment.

Suzhou cuisine

Suzhou cuisine is very similar to that of Shanghai and is characterized by light flavors, sweet dishes and an abundance of fish and shellfish.

• **Squirrel shaped mandarin fish
  The signature Suzhou dish is the oddly named squirrel shaped mandarin fish. The fish is largely de-boned (a real blessing for travelers who are not fluent in the use of chopsticks) and sliced into pieces that remain attached to the fish then fried. When cocked, it looks a bit like a squirrel's tail and is garnished with shrimp, mixed vegetables and covered with a rich sweet sauce.
• Biluo shrimp
  Biluo shrimp is a shrimp cooked with Biluo tea which adds a unique flavor.
• "Jiyou caixin"
  Jiyou caixin is cabbage hearts cooked in a chicken broth. It is colorful and tasty.
• Watermelon chicken
  Watermelon chicken is a chicken steamed in bowls made from watermelons. That dish is only available during the summer.
• Guihua wushu'ou
  If you have got a sweet tooth, munch on Guihua wushu'ou. It is made from lotus root steamed with sticky rice and white and brown sugar.

Many of Suzhou oldest shops and most famous restaurants can be found along the Guanqian Street where you could regale yourself with delicious Suzhou dishes.

Attractions around » Suzhou, Jiang Su

Historical Site

• Hanshan Temple
• Tongli Town
• Panmen Gate

Cultural Site

• Tiger Hill
• Humble Administrator's Garden
• Liuyuan Garden
• Panmen Gate
• Shizilin Garden
• Master-of-Nets Garden
• Canglang Pavilion

Shopping & Leisure

• Guanqian Street

Guanqian Street Highlights

Walking Street in Great China

• Wangfujing Walking Street
• Square Street
• Lake Houhai
• Lan Kwai Fong
• West Street
• Central Street
• Ladies Street
• Causeway Bay
• Xinghai Square
• Youhao Square
• Stanley
• Tsim Sha Tsu
• Central
• Stanley Market
• Guanqian Street
• Chunxi Road
• Senado Square

Guanqian Street FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. How about the weather in Suzhou?
2. When is the best time to visit there?

  Travel

1. How to rent a bicycle?
2. Write down names and numbers if you don't speak Chinese.

  Customs

1. Could you tell me something about local festival - Ya Shenxian?

  Other Hints

1. People do tips there?
2. Do people speak English there?

• How about the weather in Suzhou?

  Suzhou is located in a subtropical monsoon zone, so the weather is mild and moist with four distinct seasons.

  The Plum Rain Season of June is followed by a hot July. After July, a harvest autumn arrives. Both the fresh fruits and the seafood will surely whet your appetite.

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When is the best time to visit there?

• It's best to visit Suzhou between January and April because the temperature is not too low and the flowers are in full bloom until June.

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• How to rent a bicycle?

  You can find bicycles for rent at a lot of place, but you will need to leave deposit and show your identity card.

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• Write dowm names and numbers if you don't speak Chinese.

  Being a foreigner in China, is quite demanding as you would have to struggle with the language barrier. Our best tip for people travelling from one place to another is to know the chinese character of the place you intend to go to and make sure you jot down the plate number of the bus, and it may prove very helpful once you leave some stuff behind.

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• Could you tell me something about local festival - Ya Shenxian?

  Ya Shenxian (April 14th in Chinese lunar calendar)
  April 14th is said to be the birthday of Lv Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals in Chinese Taoist mythology.

  On that day, he comes to Suzhou disguised as a human to spread happiness and prosperity. To receive more luck from the immortal, people from all over Suzhou crowd the streets in celebration.

  Today, this activity has turned into a bustling temple fair with various displays including handicrafts, plants, animals, and local snacks.

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• People do tips there?

  People here in Suzhou usually don't do tips. You don't have to pay porters for carrying things around for you. You don't have to pay waiter or waitress for bringing your dish.

  But some tips might make their life a bit easier. So tip or not tip, all depends on your personal preference.

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• Do people speak English there?

  The official language of China is Mandarin, though regional dialects pervade every corner of this massive country. Learning a few phrases in Mandarin is sufficient for travel in Suzhou.

  While younger Chinese and those involved with the tourist industry may understand varying degrees of English, it is still advised that visitors carry the name of their hotel and other important destinations written in Chinese characters.

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