Pingjiang River

The Pingjiang River is defined by its narrow waterway, spanned by a dozen historical stone bridges that have connected the banks for centuries. This canal runs parallel to Pingjiang Road, forming the central axis of a district that preserves a double-chessboard layout of streets and waterways dating back to the Tang and Song dynasties. When Suzhou was known as Pingjiang Prefecture in the twelfth century, this area became a hub for scholars, merchants, and silk weavers who built mansions and courtyards along the water.