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Everyday life by the water at Xiemaqiao

Travel 12:25, 08-May-2026

CGTN

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A narrow canal runs between old houses and stone bridges, carrying the quiet rhythm of a Jiangnan region waterside neighborhood. /CGTN

Spring has brought blossoms to Xiemaqiao, adding a gentle warmth to the water town. /CGTN

A narrow canal runs between old houses and stone bridges, carrying the quiet rhythm of a Jiangnan region waterside neighborhood. /CGTN

A narrow stone lane stretches between old wooden houses, where light falls unevenly across worn slabs and everyday life moves quietly through the passage. /CGTN

A narrow canal runs between old houses and stone bridges, carrying the quiet rhythm of a Jiangnan region waterside neighborhood. /CGTN

A cat pauses at the entrance of a sunlit alley, adding a small, living detail to the old stone path. /CGTN

A narrow canal runs between old houses and stone bridges, carrying the quiet rhythm of a Jiangnan region waterside neighborhood. /CGTN

Spring has brought blossoms to Xiemaqiao, adding a gentle warmth to the water town. /CGTN

A painter captured weathered walls and tiled roofs, translating the old neighborhood into color and brushstrokes. /CGTN

Located in Suzhou's historic canal area, Xiemaqiao is a classic Jiangnan waterside neighborhood. A narrow canal runs between old houses, traversed by stone bridges linking both sides, and viewed through the wood-framed windows of the traditional shops and homes that make up this historical precinct. White walls and stone-paved lanes preserve the texture of the old quarter.

But this is not just a picturesque scene. Daily life continues here: Covered boats moved slowly through the water, residents cleaned the canal by hand, a cat paused at the mouth of an alley, and a painter set up nearby to capture the view. Water, houses, and people remain closely connected, keeping the space intimate and alive.