The Old Course of the Bian River

The Old Course of the Bian River

The Bian River was the northern section of the canal excavated during the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty. During the Tang and Song dynasties, grain transported from the Jianghuai region all reached the capital via the Bian River, but it silted up and fell into disuse during the Southern Song Dynasty. The old course of the Bian River entered the territory of Sixian County via Lingbi County, running along the north side of the Sixu Highway, passing through Changzhi Gou and Pengpu to reach the west gate of Sixian County, where it split into the Eastern and Western Bian Rivers. The Eastern Bian River flowed eastward through the city, passing by Shuikou Wei Family, Kuhe Tou, Tonghai Shop, and met with Majia Dian and Xiejia Gou (the old Su River) in Magongdian of Sihong County, Jiangsu Province, then flowed eastward, turned southeast at Qingyang Town, and entered Hongze Lake at Linhuaitou. The Western Bian River passed through the city and the South Gate Sluice, then flowed southward via Shiliang River to Tianjing Lake and into the Huai River.

Approximately 15 meters northwest of the western gate of Sixian City, there was a water gate through which the Bian River entered the city during the Ming Dynasty, and its ruins can still be identified. In 1972, a wooden boat with two compartments—one fore and one aft—approximately 10 meters in length—was unearthed 2 li north of Luming Mountain in the old course of the Bian River. It has been identified as a pre-Song Dynasty watercraft.

- Travel Tips:

Address: Sixian County, Suzhou City

Admission: Free

Opening Hours: Open all day