A memorial archway commemorating Fan Zhongyan, a politician and poet of the North Song Dynasty(960-1127) in the Tianping Mountain in Suzhou. Tianping Mountain is located in the west of Suzhou, 15 kilometers away from the central city, famous for its maples, springs and stone.[Photo by Ling Yifeng]

A lantern lights up on Shantang Street which is in the west of the historic district of Suzhou city. This was the most prosperous economic center of the city in the Ming(1368-1644) and Qing Dynasties(1644-1911).[Photo by Ling Yifeng]

A night view of Shantang which was originally built by poet Bai Juyi in the Tang Dynasty(618-907). [Photo by Ling Yifeng]

A performer plays Kunqu opera in a theatre on the Pingjiang Road in Suzhou. The 1.6-kilometer road stands for the harmony between the river and the street which remains intact for more than 800 years. [Photo by Ling Yifeng]