Evening on Seven Miles of Shantang Street is a musical portrait of a walk down the old section of historic Suzhou. It begins in the heart of the modern city with all of the noise and excitement of a Chinese metropolis. The erhu walks through the rows of buildings, longing for their heart to be uplifted by a connection with the past.
They walk down to Shantang Street, just as the street performers are beginning a dance. They hear the street vendors selling exotic products and food from all over China and the world, and the sounds of the Antai Firefighters singing as they prepare their equipment. They cross the Tonggui Bridge to visit Yuhan Hall. There in the hushed surroundings, their soul is soothed by the smells and memories of ancient Suzhou. As they emerge, the modern buildings standing high above wake them from their reverie.
In the finale, the sounds of modern Suzhou and the ancient city merge in a celebration and dance.