Suzhou Creek, Major river in Shanghai and Suzhou, China
Suzhou Creek extends 125 kilometers from Lake Tai through Shanghai, joining the Huangpu River north of the Bund. About 31 bridges cross the waterway, including the steel Waibaidu Bridge constructed in the 1920s, connecting different parts of the city.
During the Song and Yuan dynasties, merchant ships used this waterway to reach distant ports, but sedimentation gradually reduced navigation in Ming times. The river regained importance as Shanghai developed into a major trading center in modern times.
Converted factory buildings now serve as galleries and artist studios, concentrating creative communities in spaces like M50 and Creation Garden, while traditional wooden boats occasionally pass through the waterway.
The river flows through central Shanghai and is easily accessible on foot, with pathways and viewpoints along many sections of the banks. Walking along the promenades or crossing the various bridges offers different perspectives and helps you explore the waterway at your own pace.
The waterway was heavily polluted by industrial waste for decades until a 1998 rehabilitation project by Shanghai's government began restoring water quality and riverbanks. This transformation turned a neglected industrial area into a vibrant space for culture and leisure.
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