Suzhou Guanqian Road, one of China's top ten commercial thoroughfares, is filled up with streams of people enjoying the spring sunshine.

Guanqian Road, is haled as the "No. 1 Street in Suzhou" in east China's Jiangsu Province. Ancient-style buildings and shops along the street integrate classical beauty and modern commerce and have a strong flavor of ancient Wu culture.

Guanqian Road is host to many well-known, century-old shops such as DaoXiangCun, QianTaiXiang and HuangTianYuan. The highly praised Suzhou cuisine of Bifengfang street also attracts numerous visitors. In the spring, Qingtuanzi (green glutinous rice balls), sauced meat, Biluochun, the famous Chinese tea, and other seasonal foods are hot consumables. Suzhou snacks such as steamed buns, zongzi (steamed pyramid-shaped glutinous rice wrapped in reed leaves) and special cakes work up a visitor's appetite.

Suzhou Pingtan (Story-telling & Ballad Singing) in local teahouses arouses the interest of many tourists, compelling them to stop and listen. Although they do not understand the soft dialect, they consider it a "heavenly voice." Embroidered scenes are a feast for the eyes of spectators, and delicate handicrafts and silk are highlights.

One has not been to Suzhou without having visited Guanqian Road. It is as Wangfujin is to Beijing, or Nanjing Road to Shanghai. You can buy Wu specialties, taste local delicacies, learn a little Daoism, listen to Suzhou Pingtan, try local costumes, etc. Guanqian Road has become a comprehensive thoroughfare boasting an integration of commerce, culture, religion, catering and travel. The antique flavor of Suzhou always makes you linger, unwilling to leave.

(Chinanews.cn April 5, 2005)