An American Student Discovers Suzhou's Harmony Between Water and City

During a boat ride along Suzhou's Shantang River, an American student discovered a city built with water, rather than against it. From bridges connecting neighborhoods to traditional architecture shaped by the waterways, he saw how generations of urban planners had turned the natural landscape into an integral part of city life. Reflecting on New York's long-standing efforts to improve water quality, he found in Suzhou's waterways a striking example of how people and nature can coexist in harmony.