The Treasures of China: Suzhou Market Street at the Summer Palace

Welcome to Suzhou Market Street at the Summer Palace, Northwestern Beijing. 

If you come to China intending to visit the cultural sites you will surely find yourself at a loss where to begin. The old life still breathes in little corners all over China. To visit the famous and not-so-famous shrines, temples, museums and palaces is, of course, an unforgettable experience. It is delightful, too. 

A casual stroll may become a fantastic journey. In this modern age when other cultural treasures are disappearing from the landscape, the treasures of China attract us even more. 

I've introduced a new segment to Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim: The Treasures of China. Our first?

Suzhou Market Street is at the Rear Lake of the Summer Palace in northwestern Beijing.

Suzhou is a legendary city located 62 miles northwest of Shanghai in Jiangsu province. It is well known though out the world for its bridges, canals and classical gardens. The city was founded in 514BC and has been dubbed the Venice of China. 

I visited Suzhou Market Street in September 2015 with Ms. Liu, an instructor with Beijing Sihai Confucius Academy. We took a boat ride from the Summer Palace. 

With a waterway passing through and shops perching on banks, the street looks like the very scene from the city of Suzhou in the southern region of the Yangtze River.

Over 60 stores extend from North Palace Gate entrance into a street about 300 meters (328.1 yards) in length. Along the Back Lake, the street design imitates the ancient style of shops on the banks of rivers in Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, that is, taking the running water of Back Lake as the street and its banks as a market.

The area served as an entertainment place where Emperors and concubines could feel as if they were strolling on a commercial street. When the royals went there, eunuchs and maids of honor would playact as peddlers, customers and shop assistants to mimic market activities. 

It was built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799). Sadly, it was burned down by a British-French allied force in 1860.

It was rebuilt in 1986 and in 1990 it was opened to the public. Today's market includes stores with clerks dressed in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) costumes.

That all this should exist at this one place only -and nowhere else in the world- is truly a cause for celebration. 

Remember to mark your calendar and tune in each week as we continue our journey together through the Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim 

Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim's broadcasts are from AM1490 WGCH and everywhere on WGCH.com in Greenwich, Connecticut USA. 

This show is title-sponsored by Beijing AmBridge International Culture Development Ltd. You are invited to explore how an alliance with Beijing AmBridge can help your company or organization grow and prosper. Call Beijing AmBridge's office in Beijing at 86-10-80775517 or email ambridge01@163.com. 

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