Deep within the courtyard, gaze upon Luzhi and encounter the bygone era nestled in its historic architecture.
Release date:
2023-11-14 10:00
Source:
Recently, Suzhou City officially released the second batch of its historical buildings list.
Wuzhong District has 37 historic buildings listed among them.
Luzhi has 11 sites listed!
Since its establishment as a town, Luzhi has…
A market layout featuring one river and two streets is gradually taking shape.
Residential houses with white walls and dark-tiled roofs
An ancient and elegant stone bridge
Along the river, a水墨江南 painting unfolds.
This article selects several of these residences and stone bridges.
Come and experience the timeless charm of Luzhi.
Using the Straight Grain Granary Complex
A distinctive granary, where grass and trees exude a serene charm.
The prototype of Wansheng Rice Shop was Wanshunheng Rice Shop, established in the late Qing dynasty. Today, the former site of Wansheng Rice Shop still preserves structures such as a river landing, storefronts, a main hall, and ancillary rooms, and has been repurposed into the Landuo·Sanwudou Cultural Base.
To the west of the former Wansheng Rice Mill stands the Lüzhí grain‑store complex. Built in the early 1950s, it consists of two structures—one to the east and one to the west—once serving as part of Lüzhí’s grain‑storage facilities. The granaries are cylindrical buildings with pyramidal roofs; their upper walls feature long, rectangular wooden ventilation windows, while the interiors boast circular vents at the ceiling for air circulation. They rank among the most distinctive architectural forms of the modern and contemporary era. Today, the two granaries no longer store grain; their striking silhouettes are nestled beneath the lush shade of trees in the courtyard, standing out as a singular element within the picturesque landscape of the Jiangnan region.
Image source: Sanwudou Cultural Service Base
Chen’s Residence in the Jewelry Shop
A uniquely styled, timelessly elegant guesthouse.
No. 4 on Jewelry Street is the former residence of Chen Fangzhou, built in the late Qing dynasty. A renowned internal‑medicine physician during the Republic of China era, Chen enjoyed great skill and prestige. The original compound comprised five courtyards; today, only the three rear ones remain, arranged in sequence as the front hall, the residential building, and the watchtower. A covered walkway connects the watchtower to the residential building, with an upper floor above and side rooms below, creating a distinctive architectural style that stands as one of the town’s most characteristic historic structures.
Today, the Chen Residence has been transformed into the Liuzé Guesthouse. The inn preserves the old house’s timelessly elegant architectural style, with simple, rustic decor and a well‑proportioned layout. Guests can savor afternoon tea in the courtyard, basking in the leisurely passage of time, and at night retreat to a cozy room, drifting off to sleep with dreams on their pillows.
Central City Street
Great seclusion amidst the city, where everyday life thrives.
The Dai Residence, selected for this occasion, is nestled on the bustling Zhongshi Street. This quintessential Jiangnan courtyard, discreetly set within the city, stands just a wall away from the lively, time‑honored old street—balancing a rich, down-to-earth charm with the refined, vintage elegance of Suzhou style.
Dai Residence in the Central Town Area
Inside the storefronts lining the street, the aroma of delicious food wafts through the air, while curious visitors stroll along the cobblestone‑paved old lane, savoring authentic local flavors. Before their eyes, a vivid tableau of everyday life unfolds, its rich, palpable atmosphere spreading gently across Zhongshi Street.
East Market Street
Courtyards stand in rows, and life is serene and joyful.
The Yan Residence, the Yan Clan Ancestral Hall, and the former site of the Yan Fifth Branch—three of four Qing‑dynasty private residences on East Market Street—have also been included in Suzhou’s second batch of historic buildings. In days gone by, East Market Street was one of Luzhi’s most renowned thoroughfares, lined with grand mansions and bustling with a lively commercial market. The “Xiangmenli” area around Zhongmei Bridge and the “Donghengtou” district near Dongmei Bridge were both the town’s vibrant downtowns.
In 2012, Luzhi launched the second phase of its ancient town renovation project. Dongshi Street has emerged from its former prosperity, shedding its old façade and embracing a fresh new look, while its commercial offerings have grown even more diverse. Today, strolling along Dongshi Street, you can wander among time-honored residences with dark-tiled roofs and white walls, savoring the timeless passage of centuries, and stop by teahouses, cafés, dessert shops, and guesthouses to fully immerse yourself in the tranquil, unhurried charm of life in Luzhi.
Xianghua Bridge
Exquisitely carved and adorned, with an enduring ancient charm.
Dayao Xianghua Bridge is located 60 meters east of Dajue Temple Bridge, running east–west and spanning Dayao Harbor. Originally constructed during the Song Dynasty, it was rebuilt in the thirteenth year of the Jiaqing reign (1808). The bridge is a single‑span beam structure combining Wukang stone, bluestone, and granite. In 1995, Dayao Xianghua Bridge was designated as a Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Site.
Dayao Xianghua Bridge is a flat‑bottom beam bridge, constructed with a mixed masonry of Wukang stone, bluestone, and granite. Its superstructure is adorned with relief carvings of intertwined peony motifs. The bridge’s stonework, form, and sculptural craftsmanship all reflect the high technical standards of the Song and Yuan dynasties. Standing quietly through the ages, this ancient stone bridge bears witness to the vicissitudes of time.
The long-dormant treasure has come into the public eye.
With protection, development, and innovation.
In the preservation and revitalization of historic buildings
Experience the timeless charm and modern flair of Luzhi.
Children aged six years or younger (inclusive) or measuring 1.4 meters or less in height (inclusive), seniors aged 70 years or older (inclusive), persons with disabilities, and one accompanying caregiver of a person with a severe disability are exempt from admission fees upon presentation of valid identification.
