Beisi Pagoda offers a superb panoramic view of Suzhou

Beisi Pagoda, Suzhou Opening Hours 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Address 1918 Renmin Road, Gusu District, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province Average Cost 25 RMB Recommended Reasons Beisi Pagoda, also known as Bao'en Temple Pagoda, is one of the iconic buildings of Suzhou's ancient city. It was originally built during the Three Kingdoms period of Wu (238-251 AD), reportedly constructed by Sun Quan to repay his mother's kindness, with a history of over 1,700 years. As the tallest ancient pagoda in southern China, it stands 76 meters high, featuring an octagonal nine-story pavilion-style structure with brick body and wooden eaves, flying eaves and upturned corners, exuding grandeur and earning the reputation as the "Number One Pagoda in Jiangnan." The main body of the existing pagoda was rebuilt in the 23rd year of the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1153 AD) and is a precious example for studying Song Dynasty architecture. To the east of the pagoda is the Nanmu Guanyin Hall, rebuilt in the 40th year of the Ming Wanli era, which is the most complete Ming Dynasty ancient building remaining in Suzhou. Inside the hall, exquisite paintings and a giant lacquer carving titled "Prosperous Era" showcase Suzhou's flourishing history. To the north of the pagoda is the Yuan Dynasty stone carving "Zhang Shicheng Merit Stele," finely detailed and a rare masterpiece of Yuan Dynasty historical stone carvings. Behind the pagoda lies a Suzhou-style garden called "Meipu," where mountains and water complement each other, the pagoda's reflection mirrors in the pond, fully displaying the elegant charm of Jiangnan gardens. Climbing the pagoda offers a bird’s-eye view of the entire city of Suzhou, with a unique scene where ancient city and modern buildings shine together, allowing visitors to feel the blend of history and the present. This place is not only a tranquil site for Buddhist worship but also an excellent destination to experience Suzhou’s historical culture, architectural art, and garden aesthetics. Transportation Guide: Accessible by bus lines You 1, 2, 4, as well as lines 1, 313, 8, 502, 38, 101, 102, 103, and others.