Abstract: The roads described in the novels of late Qing Dynasty reflect the modern transformation of cities. The differences in the roads’ construction, maintenance and management in inner and outer Suzhou and Shanghai cities have reflected the interweaving between the tradition and modernity, and the evolution. In foreign settlements, the roads in Shanghai were lat- ticed and diffused. In contrast, the roads in Suzhou were like thin belt and interspersed. Accordingly, the roads drove Shanghai to a modern commercial metropolis and only led Suzhou to a new attraction. Inside Shanghai, Nanshi and county towns gradu- ally constructed the roads, and Suzhou kept the traditional ones. Both cities neglected the maintenance and management of their roads, so their modern transformation was slow. The different transformation processes of the two cities were ascribed to n- ative factor— geographical differences other than the Western influence.