Promenade along Suzhou Creek: Scenic Riverside

Formerly known as Wusong River, Suzhou Creek got its current name when the British Council signed an agreement to expend its concession with the old Shanghai government, as the foreigners used to going to Suzhou through it after Shanghai was open as a trading port. In terms of administrative division, Suzhou Creek is to the east of Putuo District, and the reach in the west is called Wusong River.

The promenade of Suzhou Creek in Changning was once unsatisfying, with residents nearby complaining, “It’s blocked here and there. We have to take detour when going for a walk.” Thanks to the reconstruction, the sidewalk is now divided from the traffic lane by street trees and the promenade lends you a journey to feast your eyes on the scenic views along the Suzhou Creek.

What makes it special?

Putuo made several efforts along the Suzhou Creek as well, which in some sense makes the views better for Changning residents who live across the creek. Scenic views along the Suzhou Creek in Changning do the same to people in Putuo living along the other bank of the creek. -- Sheng Feng, Senior Reporter of the Community Morning Post

In recent years, the views on the banks of Suzhou Creek have been ever changing, with birds tweeting and flowers blossoming. And the most marvelous is that took place in Zhoujiaqiao area.

Many a bridge comes into existence in just a few years. Counting westward, there are the rail bridge of Kaixuan Road, Kaixuan Road Bridge, reconstructed Zhongshan Bridge and Inner-ring overhead, the newly constructed Gubei Road Bridge and Luding Road Bridge. These bridges not only make it more convenient for people to travel across the creek, but also lay the foundation for the city’s express artery.

Alongside the Suzhou Creek, Changning Road in the 1980s was a narrow and twisting road lined up with dilapidated warrens, where No. 54 Bus had to creep through bikes and throngs at running hours. After crossing Gubei Road, the road became too narrow for buses to go through. But now, Changning Road has been reconstructed into one of the arteries of the city’s express network and the old houses on its both sides into modern apartment buildings.

Suzhou Creek itself was once severely polluted by wastes discharged from factories alongside, giving off smokes and terrible smells. With the water treated, factories relocated, greenery planted and environment improved, Suzhou Creek is now where residents in nearby communities go to for recreation and exercise. Some of them even go for angling here.

As one of the longtime residents in Zhoujiaqiao, I witnessed all the significant changes along the Suzhou Creek and daily prosperous look in Zhoujiaqiao since the reform and opening up. -- Zhao Yinjiao, resident in Zhoujiaqiao Sub-district.