A Glimpse into the Tang Shao Fu Bai Ancestral Hall: Where a Poet Meets an Ancient Street
Suzhou's Shantang Street, a historic waterway that has been celebrated as the "foremost street of Gusu" for a thousand years, is imbued with poetic charm. Nestled on this picturesque thoroughfare is the Tang Shao Fu Bai Ancestral Hall, a site built in memory of the great Tang Dynasty poet, Bai Juyi. More than just a historical monument, it serves as a testament to the profound connection between Bai Juyi and the city of Suzhou.
Bai Juyi served as the Prefect of Suzhou in the second year of the Tang Dynasty's Changqing era (822 AD). During his tenure, he was not only diligent and caring toward the people but also left behind a series of achievements that had a lasting impact on the city. His most famous contribution was the supervision of the excavation of the Shantang River, which connected the city gate of Changmen with Tiger Hill. The soil from the excavation was used to build the parallel Shantang Street. This combined water and land route greatly facilitated transportation and commerce for the local residents, earning him the posthumous title of "Lord Bai's Embankment."
To honor this great poet who brought prosperity to the people of Suzhou, a Bai Ancestral Hall was later erected on Shantang Street. Inside, you'll find a statue of Bai Juyi and exhibits featuring historical materials and his poetry, allowing visitors to delve deeper into his life and his legacy in Suzhou. As you wander through the hall, you can almost hear the famous lines from his poem "Remembering the Southland" echoing in the air: "How lovely the southland is, the scenery I knew so well. At sunrise, river flowers glow redder than fire; in springtime, river waters are greener than blue. How can I not remember the southland?"
Today, the Tang Shao Fu Bai Ancestral Hall is a significant cultural landmark on Shantang Street. It not only showcases Bai Juyi's scholarly character and political wisdom but also offers modern visitors an excellent opportunity to trace history, experience poetry, and savor the culture of Jiangnan. What’s more, the hall is currently open to the public for free, making it easy for more people to step into this piece of history and engage in a timeless dialogue with this Tang Dynasty poet. The next time you visit Shantang Street, be sure to stop by and explore the legendary story of this "Old Suzhou" resident.
To be honest, there’s nothing particularly special inside. The information it presents is something you can easily find online. There aren’t really any exhibits, and you could finish looking around—or just feel like leaving—in less than five minutes. It’s pretty boring, so in reality, there aren’t many visitors. Many people just take a quick look and then leave.
Occasionally, you’ll see a small crowd gathered at the entrance, but they’re not there to visit—there’s a stall selling boat tour tickets and trying to attract customers. Otherwise, the place is quite deserted. Its presence is more symbolic than anything else. Most people come here mainly to stroll along Shantang Street and enjoy the food and drinks.
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