Between old walls, new stories grow

Résumé détaillé

BEIJING, Nov. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from China Daily For centuries, waterways have wound through downtown Suzhou in Jiangsu province, passing traditional houses with…

For centuries, waterways have wound through downtown Suzhou in Jiangsu province, passing traditional houses with black-tiled roofs and whitewashed walls. Visitors flock to the city's celebrated classical gardens, nine of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Yet just minutes from the tourist hotspots, narrow alleys conceal homes whose histories time has gradually blurred.

During the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, Suzhou was a major economic hub. Its historic Gusu district remains home to former residences of officials, scholars and wealthy merchants. But erosion, neglect, termite damage, and successive alterations have taken their toll. Many once-grand mansions were divided among several families, leaving residents with cramped and often uncomfortable living conditions.

A major restoration project in Gusu began in 2024 and is now nearing completion. It covers 231 historic buildings, none of which has been formally designated as a protected heritage site at the national, provincial or municipal level. Of these, 189 will remain residential compounds after restoration.

The project is supported by the Ministry of Finance, the National Cultural Heritage Administration and the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation. It received 50 million yuan ($7.5 million) from national welfare and sports lottery proceeds, with local government departments contributing another 350 million yuan.

"Through minimal intervention, we hope to ensure the safety of these cultural heritage sites while retaining the everyday bustle of this historic neighborhood," says Xu Yunhe, director of the Cultural Heritage Protection and Management Center of Gusu district.

"An ancient city is far more than a vast scenic area for tourists," Xu adds. "What happens today will become history in the future. Heritage protection must also give local residents greater dignity and make their homes more livable."

Chen Jun, 83, is a retired Peking Opera performer.

Chen is fortunate that…

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