Historic landscape and water heritage of Suzhou beyond the tourist gaze

Suzhou's historic water landscape, often overshadowed by its more visible cultural heritage, plays a pivotal role in shaping the city's regional identity. This study distinguishes between 'Heritage'—commercialized and tourist-focused—and 'heritage'—less perceptible but culturally significant landscapes threatened by urbanization. Through analysis of historical maps, documents, and existing studies, it reveals how Suzhou's man-made water systems, from canal networks to polder lands, reflect indigenous hydraulic engineering techniques and ancestral social relationships with water. The research uncovers undervalued historic landscapes, shedding light on their cultural significance beyond the 'tourist gaze' and contributing to a broader understanding of Suzhou's intangible heritage.

Wang, Y.-W., & Nolf, C. (2020). Historic landscape and water heritage of Suzhou beyond the tourist gaze. Suzhou in Transition, 42–86. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003010036-4