Highlights of Chinese Civilization and Local Culture

Highlights of Chinese Civilization and Local Culture 中国地方文化英语导读 00041010 School of Foreign Languages Suzhou University

Chapter Twelve Gateway to Suzhou

教学大纲 • 1、教学内容 • 主要了解苏州这一历史文化古城的地理、历史、经济、文化等概况。 • 讲授内容： • (1). 苏州的历史简介 • (2). 苏州农业、商业、工业及金融概况 • (3). 苏州传统经济以及改革开放后的经济特征及其发展趋势 • (4). 苏州的经济开发区和卫星城 • 2、教学要点 • 重点掌握苏州作为一座著名的历史文化城市其在历史上以及改革开放过程中的经济文化特征和未来发展前景。

“Up in heaven there is paradise, down below, Suzhou and Hangzhou” • Suzhou, one of the key cities in the Yangtze River Delta, is a renowned cultural, historic and tourist city. The city is located in the southeast of Jiangsu Province, bordering Shanghai on the east, Zhejiang Province on the south, the Taihu Lake in the west and the Yangtze River in the north.

Overview of Suzhou

I. Historical Briefing • 1. A history of nearly 2,500 years. • 2. The early Kingdom of Wu. • 3. Changes of its name. • 4. The Pingjiang Map. • 5. A city of zhuangyuan.

Pingjiang Map

II. Achievement • 1. Agriculture • 2. Commerce • 3. Business • 4. Finance and Trade

1. Agriculture • The original complex Chinese character “su” is comprised of the characters for fish and rice, which stands for a famous land of fish and rice. • Suzhou is one of the first rice plantation areas in China, and its history of rice plantation can be dated back to 6,000 years ago.

2. Commerce • After the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the economic center moved to the southern regions along the Yangtze River and the Huai River. • The construction of the Grand Canal solved the problem of the separation between political center and economic center. • Excellent traffic avenues of both water and land made Suzhou a major traffic hub connecting to the north the Yangtze River and Huai River and south to Jiaxing and Hangzhou.

3. Business • Rice importation boomed due to the short of grain and food in Suzhou in Qing Dynasty. • Area around the Maple Bridge, seven li west of Changemen Gate, there emerged the most famous rice and bean collection and distribution center in the southern region of the Yangtze River. • The boom of rice trade around the Maple Bridge area not only helped the growth of Suzhou, but was indicative of the adaptation of agriculture to the economy in Suzhou. • During the periods of the Ming and the Qing Dynasties, silk weaving industry developed rapidly, bringing about commercial prosperity.

4. Finance and Trade • 1. One of the biggest industrial and commercial cities in the southeast of China • 2. Suzhou’s pawn trade took the leading position in southeast China • 3. A major warehousing city, rivaling Canton and Wuhan.

III. Economy • 1. Industry • 2. Commerce • 3. Open Economy • 4. Development Zone and Satellite City

1. Industry • Being on the sea coast, Suzhou commenced its sea communication in very early times. • Traditionally, Suzhou has long been a centre of major textile industries, including silk and cotton production, as well as embroidery, paper and handicraft production. • The investment plan for Suzhou has largely been facilitated through the creation of two large industrial parks, Suzhou Industrial Park in the east and Suzhou New District in the west.

2. Commerce • Over the years three main commercial districts have gradually been formed in Suzhou proper. • 1. Guanqianjie Commercial District • 2. Stone Road situated outside the gate to Changmen--- a traditional prosperous market. • 3. Nanmen District

Guanqian Street

3. Open Economy • A metropolis of industry and commerce in the south-eastern coast of China since ancient times. • Today an open city with developing economies and frequent exchanges with the outside world. • Traditionally the nation’s important suppliers of goods for export. • The introduction of considerable foreign funds boost advanced technology and managerial expertise. • A series of preferential policies.

4. Development Zone and Satellite City • 1. The construction of development zones. • 2. The satellite cities under the jurisdiction of Suzhou. • 3. The first development zone in Suzhou---Kunshan Economic and Technological Development Zone • 4. Zhangjiagang, Wujiang and Taicang

New Development Zone

Assignment • 观看《名城三十年印迹》、Picture of a Flourishing Suzhou City in 18th Century（《18世纪苏州繁华图》） • 推荐阅读The Gateway to Suzhou（《走进苏州》），思考并讨论苏州的经济文化特征和发展前景。

Highlights of Chinese Civilization and Local Culture