Construction:
Visitors may be surprised to see that this shopping street is almost
the same as that in South China. As a matter of fact, this street was
designed after the shops along the canals in Suzhou. Originally known
as Emperor's Shopping Street, it was built during the reign of Emperor
Qianlong. After making several inspection tours to South China and being
duly impressed by its commercial prosperity, Emperor Qianlong ordered
the construction of this street.
Announcing
the architecture:
Built along the Back Lake of the Summer Palace, this street stretches
about 300 meters and features more than 60 stores. It includes restaurants,
teahouses, pawnshops, banks, drugstores, dyehouses and publishing houses.
In order to recreate the atmosphere of ancient times, visitors will
have the chance to exchange their money to ancient style Chinese coins
for use here. Storefronts are trimmed with traditional signboards and
ornaments. The commercial culture of the mid-18th century has thus been
recreated.
Discover
the history:
The imperial shopping street was burnt down by Anglo-French allied forces
in 1860. The site remained desolate until 1987, when reconstruction
began. It was opened to the public in September 1990.
With commercial
culture as its hallmark, the Suzhou
Shopping Street is a vivid representation of China' s traditional cultures.
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