Suzhou: City’S Proud History Protected
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2 | Thursday, May 13, 2021 HONG KONG EDITION | CHINA DAILY PAGE TWO Suzhou: City’s proud history protected From page 1 becoming one of the country’s top not sustainable. tecture became a problem after officials, Pan served four emperors “Tourism is important, but only the school moved. “A city cannot grow without urban during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). when it is combined with improved Shi Zheng, director of the Gusu development, but as demolition Renovated in 2013, one of his facilities in local people’s everyday district cultural gallery, explained work began on some of the old build- former residences was turned into a lives.” the idea to renovate the site and turn ings, I felt that something may be lost museum for zhuangyuan — candi- Some recent renovation efforts in it into a community cultural center. forever, ” he said. dates who took top place in annual Suzhou have set an example though. “People today may find it difficult Xu has photographed alleyways, national-level recruitment exams for In 2019, the television reality show to search for some old but precious wells and buildings before they dis- officials. Dream Home inspired designers to files on local culture in public librar- appeared in demolition work to The site, which boasts a wealth of renovate a market near Pingjiang ies, but the center is a perfect place make way for road widening pro- cultural relics, is not only dedicated Road, which used to mainly sell vege- for them,” Shi said. jects. to Pan, but to a group of successful tables. Within a few months, the A large collection of books on the The 14.8-square-kilometer ancient figures like him who reached their show had become an online hit. Wu dialect, history and culture are city core area is surrounded by ultimate goal in life — to serve the After the renovation, Shuangta housed in the cultural center moats, and Xu grew up near Panmen country. In ancient China, 50 people Market features exquisite and fash- library, which loaned more than Gate, which traverses one of these from Suzhou gained the title of zhu- ionable decorations, shops selling 30,000 books to local residents last waterways. angyuan, the most among all cities creative souvenirs, together with a year, Shi said. Xu, who has a deep regard for the in the country. bookstore and cafes. The market is Exhibitions and lectures on history of his hometown, has often The Suzhou government’s new equipped with a big data analysis sys- intangible cultural heritage and written letters to the authorities plan will see the museum function as tem to accurately trace the origins of other folk art in Gusu are also held appealing for ancient sites to be a venue to promote zhuangyuan-re- every vegetable sold and to ensure regularly at the center to help peo- spared from demolition. lated culture. Renovation work will the venue runs like a factory. ple remember the past and better “Everything we have now was left also be carried out on the residences Liu Yunlong, a manager at the site, know their hometown. by our ancestors. What will we leave of others who excelled in the exam. said some people doubted whether a “For retired senior citizens, this for our children? Our roots lie in this Zhou Liping, an official from Ping- vegetable market should undergo institution is essential. It’s also ancient city, and it has influenced our jiang subdistrict, who is in charge of such an elaborate transformation. great to see other local residents characters. We’d better take good cultural development and revitaliz- However, by redefining a market in spending some time in the library care of it,” he said. ing ancient neighborhoods, said the ancient city, he said more possi- after they finish work,” Shi said. He did not have to wait long to such work involves far more than bilities have been created and the To attract more young people, per- receive positive feedback. In 2002, a turning old buildings into showcases venue has proved popular. formances of xiangsheng, the comic comprehensive project to restore the for history. About 8,000 people visit the mar- dialogue also known as crosstalk, are ancient city area was launched by the “The buildings are alive only if ket on a weekday, and the number organized every Saturday night, local government. A series of renova- they are given new roles. Their exteri- rises as high as 12,000 on weekends. offering a new tourist attraction for tion projects have followed. ors should remain intact, but the All the 60 or so original shopkeepers the community. During the 1990s, a construction interiors have to be adapted to the and vendors remained at the venue The cultural center needs to be rule was rigidly enforced. This is still needs of modern life, like hotels, after the renovation. well-connected to the rest of the city, the case today. No new building in bookstores and cafes,” Zhou said. “Shuangta Market attracts cus- as Shi said it functions as one of 96 the ancient city area can be higher Pingjiang Road, an ancient area Top: A bird’seye view of the Beisita pagoda in Suzhou, Jiangsu tomers from a much wider commu- branches of the Suzhou Library. than 24 meters — one-third the centered along a 1.6-km-long main province. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY Above: Tourists watch a pingtan per- nity. It is now more dynamic and also Readers can borrow books from the height of Beisita, a landmark South- lane, boasts a long history, typified by formance at a teahouse on Pingjiang Road run by Wu Liangying serves as a reference point for run- center and return them to any other ern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) pagoda its architecture. (right). WANG KAIHAO / CHINA DAILY ning a market in a more scientific library, and vice versa. in downtown Suzhou. The area has become one of Suz- way,” Liu said. Wang Yong, a professor of urban Thanks to the rule, no skyscraper hou’s main tourism attractions in Similar improvement projects planning at Suzhou University of breaks the skyline in the ancient city. recent years, but visitors strolling its “There are plenty of opportunities have been carried out at five other Science and Technology and deputy In 2018, a provincial-level regula- streets are probably unaware of the to seek a new career in other cities, markets in the ancient city area. director of the Suzhou Institute for tion covering the ancient city area efforts being made to restore some of but like many others, I choose to stay Bian Xuefang, 49, who has run a the Conservation of National Histor- was implemented to rigidly supervise its past glory. (in Suzhou). Life here is comfortable tailor’s shop at Shuangta Market ic Cities, said: “A successfully construction. The rule, in particular, Before restoration work on Pingji- and we cherish the psychological since 1998, said many new customers restored historical neighborhood stressed that basic colors used in the ang Road began in the 2000s, the It’s wrong to just support given by this area and its cul- have started to visit the venue. should be residential, and this has area should be black, white and gray area was full of dilapidated houses, relocate locals ture,” she said “Thanks to the renovation, many been achieved in Pingjiang. Despite to “reflect simple but elegant aesthet- Zhou said. Wu, who has uploaded clips of her tourists order qipao (the traditional numerous visitors, you’ll feel a sense ics”. Traditional building materials Although refined artistic taste is and let performances in the teahouse to the Chinese women’s dress) in my shop,” of nature rather than noise.” and styles were also called for. included in the refurbishment plan, shopkeepers Douyin short-video platform, where she said. “When they go back to their The Architectural Society of China “I believe that the ancient city will as much historical detail as possible she has more than 110,000 followers, home cities, they recommend the and Suzhou city government have never be destroyed,” said Xu, also a has been retained. from elsewhere understands that new methods have shop to many more customers. I’m organized two conference sessions to former local political adviser. “The For example, in turning a butch- run businesses to be adopted to promote Suzhou’s getting much busier, and being busy showcase designers’ plans to refur- area remains as it was, lacking a er’s shop into a club for kunqu (the traditional culture. is great.” bish ancient architecture, using sites flamboyant appearance.” oldest surviving form of Chinese folk here. Native Despite the booming e-commerce in Suzhou as examples. A third ses- opera, which originates in Suzhou), residents play a Ideas benefit natives sector, Bian has no plans to open an sion is due to be held later this year. Community rebirth the planks in the front door were In revitalizing old neighborhoods, online store. However, Wang said it is more In September, Suzhou was listed retained. The planks were used to key role in Suzhou faces a problem common to “I like to treat whoever comes to important that these examples are by the National Cultural Heritage secure the door when the shop was boosting their many cities. As unfashionable indus- my store in the way I did my old used to inspire the public to con- Administration as one of six nation- closed. home tries are moved out of the ancient neighbors. No matter how times tribute solutions to the dilemmas al-level exemplary areas for the pro- Bars, karaoke lounges and booths area to protect cultural heritage, and change, I prefer face-to-face commu- facing old communities.