Suzhou breathes new life into historic Pingjiang River

Editor's note: Pingjiang Historic District, the best-preserved area in Suzhou in east China's Jiangsu province, serves as a microcosm of the city's millennia-old history. The Pingjiang River running through the area has witnessed both ecological and cultural evolution. After 15 years of systematic restoration efforts, Suzhou has revitalized this historic waterway while preserving enduring local traditions. From improved daily living along its banks to new cultural-tourism integration, the river now forms a spiritual bridge connecting past and future.

The Pingjiang River in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, Aug. 26, 2025. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]