[2024 Suzhou Attraction] Travel Guide for Fengqiao Scenic Area (Updated Oct)

The century-old Tieling Pass.

The century-old Tieling Pass "Under the moonlight, the crows are crying, and the sky is full of frost. The fishermen are sleeping under the maple trees by the river. Outside the city of Suzhou, there is a temple called Hanshan Temple. The bell rings at midnight and reaches the boat." This poem "Maple Bridge Night Mooring" by Zhang Ji made Hanshan Temple and Maple Bridge famous. In fact, Maple Bridge is just a common single-hole stone bridge in the south of the Yangtze River, and the east bank of the bridge extends into the Tieling Pass. The Tieling Pass, which is extended by the Maple Bridge, carries hundreds of years of vicissitudes of history. Suzhou has always been known as "six gates, three passes, and five drum towers". Tieling Pass is one of the three passes. Because it was built to resist the Japanese, it is also called Maple Bridge Enemy Tower. Historical records show that during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, the Japanese pirates entered the estuary from Taicang and invaded Suzhou, burning, killing, and looting in Changmen and Maple Bridge. The local government then built this pass tower, "The square is 13 feet wide, 3 feet 6 inches high, and the base is not made of stone. The four doors are made of bricks and three layers are in the middle. The top is covered with tiles, and there are many holes on the side for shooting arrows, stones, guns and cannons." Tieling Pass is easy to defend and difficult to attack. It forms a complete ancient military defense system with the ancient canal and the ancient Maple Bridge in front of the pass. It is an important pass to guard the west of Suzhou. For more than 400 years, Tieling Pass has been damaged and repaired several times. It is currently the only relatively intact anti-Japanese pass tower relic in Suzhou and is a cultural relic protection unit in Jiangsu Province. The four characters "Yu Kou An Min" on the city tower shine under the sun, as if telling the heroic stories of Ren Huan, Yu Dayou and other anti-Japanese generals. Tieling Pass also witnessed the liberation of Suzhou during the War of Liberation and is a patriotic education base. Nowadays, people stand in front of the vicissitudes of Tieling Pass, looking at the ancient canal that has been flowing for thousands of years, and it is also a very meaningful thing to remember the past and remember the sages.

Suzhou Hanshan Temple | Outside the city of Gusu lies Hanshan Temple, where the midnight bell rings to the guest boats

| Outside the city of Gusu lies Hanshan Temple, where the midnight bell rings to the guest boats. 【Introduction to Hanshan Temple】 📍Hanshan Temple was built during the Liang Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties, with a history of over 1500 years. Originally named 'Miaoli Puming Pagoda Courtyard,' it was later renamed 'Hanshan Temple' after the Tang Dynasty monk Hanshan who once lived there. It is one of the top ten temples in China. The Tang Dynasty poet Zhang Ji's poem 'Outside the city of Gusu lies Hanshan Temple, where the midnight bell rings to the guest boats' made Hanshan Temple famous far and wide. 【Opening Hours】 7:30-16:30 (last entry at 16:00, park closes at 16:30) 【Tour Route】 Great Bell Garden——Huaxia Poetry Stele——Enter from the West Gate——Vegetarian Restaurant——Copy Scriptures——Count Arhats——Mahavira Hall——Ring the Bell for Blessings——Backyard Pagoda——Feed Koi——Guanyin Peak 【Tickets】 Fengqiao Scenic Area is free (Hanshan Temple ticket 20 yuan) 【Transportation】 🚌Bus: get off at Heshan Bridge or Laifeng Bridge Routes passing Heshan Bridge: 301, 307, 313, 324, 33 Routes passing Laifeng Bridge: 10, 324, 406, 45, 9, 931 🚇Subway: Line 1 - Xihuan Road Exit 3, walk 1.6km / transfer to 🚌Route 313 to South Hanshan Temple or bike 🚲 for about ten minutes 🅿Self-driving parking: navigate to Hanshan Temple West Gate Parking Lot, parking spaces are limited 📌Tips 1⃣Prepare some cash💵 2⃣Popular photo spot: the three characters 'Hanshan Temple' at the West Gate 3⃣Koi: buy food to feed the koi, 10 yuan/bag, touch the koi for good luck 4⃣Ring the bell: 5 yuan for 3 rings, the large bell outside the temple 20 yuan for 3 rings, the bell🔔 rings to dispel worries 5⃣Burn incense for blessings: family incense set 💰80 yuan/set, you can also bring your own, worship clockwise in four directions, three bows at Guanyin Temple for safety, three bows at Mahavira Hall to Manjushri Bodhisattva for academic success, three bows at Hanshi Hall for marriage, three bows at the pagoda to the Four-faced Buddha 6⃣Touch the Pixiu, left Pixiu for wealth, right Pixiu for keeping wealth 7⃣Draw and interpret lots, interpretation costs 20 yuan (cash only) 8⃣Vegetarian Restaurant offers vegetarian noodles, about 18-25 yuan, free noodle refills🍜

Help, Maple Bridge scenic area, if you don't promote it, you're really confused!

After coming to Suzhou, how can you not visit Hanshan Temple?! As an experienced traveler who has visited 10 times, I will share with you a super practical guide to Hanshan Temple + Maple Bridge scenic area today! 📖 First of all, the Maple Bridge scenic area is free, while Hanshan Temple requires a 20 yuan ticket, and the opening hours are 7:30-17:00. If you want to experience the poetic charm of 'A Night Mooring by Maple Bridge', don't forget to take a photo with the statue of Zhang Ji, the poet from the Tang Dynasty! 🕰 The world's largest bell awaits you in the Big Bell Garden, with a weight of 108 tons and a height of 8 meters, it will leave you in awe! There's also the number one poetry stele in China, standing at 17.9 meters tall, engraved with Yu Yue's version of 'A Night Mooring by Maple Bridge', which is definitely a feast for the eyes. 🚢 Close to the Grand Canal, you can also admire the grandeur of large ships. Suggested tour route: Normally, visit Maple Bridge first, then enter Hanshan Temple; on holidays, it's recommended to check in directly after entering, buy tickets with your phone for quick access, visit Hanshan Temple, then go through the bridge to Maple Bridge, walk around the perimeter to Maple Bridge for a check-in, and then return. 🚇 For transportation, take the subway line 1 to the 9002 community bus, or take the 313, 301, or 33 bus to He Shan Bridge or Lai Feng Bridge. If you're driving, just navigate to Hanshan Temple. 🎫 It's not recommended to drive on holidays because it's super congested and parking is troublesome. Riding an electric bike or shared bicycle is a good choice. 🔔 Inside Hanshan Temple, you can pay to ring the bell, 5 yuan for 3 times, and in the Big Bell Garden, it's 20 yuan for 3 times. There are also koi fish to feed, making your trip even more healing. 📸 Come to Hanshan Temple in Suzhou for a unique ancient town experience, follow this guide, and make your trip even more perfect!

Suzhou In-Depth Tour (from west to east)

🚗🚗🚗Travel Itinerary: Day1: East Mountain Island of Taihu Lake → Sanshan Islands → Xishan Day2: Manshan Island → Suzhou Taihu Lakefront National Wetland Park → Qionglong Mountain Day3: Hanshan Temple → Maple Bridge Scenic Area → Tiger Hill Scenic Spot Day4: Lingering Garden → Xiyuan Temple → Shantang Street → Suzhou Ancient Canal Cruise (Shantang Street Bai Juyi Wharf) → 'Dream-seeking in Shantang' Live Performance Day5: Humble Administrator's Garden → Suzhou Museum → Lion Grove → Pingjiang Road Historic District Day6: Couple's Retreat Garden → Shuangta Market → Suzhou University Main Campus - Museum → Osmanthus Park Day7: Master of the Nets Garden → Shiquan Street → Tongdexing Traditional Suzhou Noodle House (Jiayu Fang Branch) → Canglang Pavilion → Bco Bean Warehouse (Zhu Hui Huan Yu Hui Branch) Day8: Tongli Ancient Town → Luoxingzhou → Tongli National Wetland Park → Lili Ancient Town Day9: Dushu Lake Christian Church → Suzhou Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool International Conference Center → Suzhou Family Banquet (Ligong Di Branch) → Ligong Di Day10: Suzhou Center Mall → Gate to the Orient Shopping Center → Jinji Lake → Eslite Bookstore Day11: Xietang Old Street → Xietang Old Street Boat Wharf → Wuyue Rongji (Xietang Old Street Branch) Day12: Chongyuan Temple → Bicester Village Suzhou → Yangcheng Lake Peninsula Tourist Resort

Memories of Maple Bridge, a journey through time

🍁 Memories of Maple Bridge, a journey through time 👋 When you think of Jiangnan, what comes to mind? Ancient water towns? Exquisite gardens? Or the well-known 'Night Mooring by Maple Bridge'? Today, let's explore this poetic place together—Maple Bridge Scenic Area—and experience its ancient charm! 🚍 Travel Tips: To easily reach this historical treasure, both buses and taxis are good options. For those driving themselves, don't worry, there is a parking lot available at the scenic area, which is both convenient and worry-free! 🌤️ Best Time to Visit: Spring for flower viewing, autumn for maple leaves, both unbelievably beautiful! Although summer is passionately hot, the pavilions and lakes offer a cool retreat. 👣 Touring Strategy: 1️⃣ Stroll through the ancient streets, traveling through a thousand years; 2️⃣ By Maple Bridge, the beauty of the lake and mountains enters the painting; 3️⃣ Temple bells, explore the charm of ancient architecture at your leisure; 4️⃣ Snack specialty shops, let your taste buds travel too; 5️⃣ Rest in a pavilion, enjoy a moment of tranquility. 📝 Pay Attention to Details: In addition to enjoying your visit, don't forget to pay attention to maintaining environmental cleanliness and civilized sightseeing, so that beauty stays with everyone. Finally, I have a small question for everyone: What is your ideal travel destination? Is there also a 'Maple Bridge' hidden in it? 💬

I've been to Suzhou 33 times‖This citywalk route is truly amazing

From the hustle and bustle of the metropolis to the tranquility of ancient architecture, Suzhou, this city, really integrates many elements. Having been to Suzhou multiple times, passing through the millennia-old ancient city and the new city, I've finally found an amazing citywalk route. ➡️Route: Maple Bridge Scenic Area - Hanshan Temple - Xiyuan Temple - Lingering Garden - Seven-mile Shantang - Beita Bao'en Temple - Suzhou Museum - Pingjiang Road Historical Block - Central Park - Gate of the Orient ✔️From west to east, the total length is about 15 kilometers, leaving the night view to Shantang Street and Suzhou CBD's Gate of the Orient. ❶Maple Bridge Scenic Area and Hanshan Temple: Zhang Ji's poem 'Mooring by Maple Bridge at Night' 'Outside Gusu city, Hanshan Temple, At midnight, bell sounds reach the guest boat,' has made Maple Bridge and Hanshan Temple famous for over a thousand years. ❷Xiyuan Temple: Suzhou's internet-famous temple, a cat-petting sanctuary, you must try the vegetarian noodles. ❸Lingering Garden: One of Suzhou's four famous gardens, a large classical private garden with Qing Dynasty architectural style, small forests within reach, and a sense of grandeur within a small space. ❹Seven-mile Shantang: Outside the Changmen Gate of Gusu city, Seven-mile Shantang to Tiger Hill, one of the most popular tourist check-in spots in Suzhou. ❺North Temple Pagoda: Located in Bao'en Temple, the tallest pagoda within Suzhou's city moat, photography spot - Tingyuan Road. ❻Suzhou Museum: The final work of Chinese architectural master I. M. Pei, a paragon of Eastern architectural aesthetics. ❼Pingjiang Road: Pingjiang Road Historical Block is the most intact area of Suzhou's ancient city, a miniature of the old city, and a popular check-in spot. ❽Gate of the Orient: A landmark building in Suzhou, with beautiful night views, photography spots - Zhuangxianwan Road, Piaoyi Road. 🔅The citywalk route is quite long, it is recommended to split it into two days of sightseeing, spending the first night near Shantang Street to enjoy the night view. On the second night, head to the Gate of the Orient to see the night view of the modern city. 🍵During this trip, I specially brought a black felt hat frozen ice sculpture, tasting traditional Jiangnan flavors in the gardens, truly refreshing and pleasant.

Suzhou Maple Bridge Scenic Area

The Maple Bridge Scenic Area is a 'Five Ancients' tourist area mainly featuring Hanshan Temple, the ancient Maple Bridge, the ancient Tieling Pass, Maple Bridge ancient town, and the ancient canal. Among them, the Maple Bridge, one of the four famous bridges in China, is the most renowned. It gained worldwide fame because of the seven-character quatrain 'Night Mooring at Maple Bridge' by Zhang Ji, a poet of the Tang Dynasty.

One must visit Suzhou twice in a lifetime

One must visit Suzhou twice in a lifetime, once to anticipate, and once to reminisce. The first time I went to Suzhou, it felt like there weren't many people, it was very quiet, and I liked it a lot. I told my friend at the time that we must go again. The second time I went, it suddenly felt like there were a lot more people everywhere. Pingjiang Road and some small gardens were full of people taking photos in ancient costumes. The classical garden area is dense with attractions, with the Humble Administrator's Garden, Lion Grove Garden, and Suzhou Museum all close to each other, and can be visited together. I recommend half a day for the above three attractions. Although the gardens are beautiful, the crowds make it hard to feel relaxed. Lingering Garden and Shantang Street are not far apart and can be arranged for the afternoon, after visiting the Lingering Garden, head to Shantang Street for a meal. Jinji Lake is very large and divided into several areas, making it very suitable for leisurely walks, and there are bicycles for rent, leisure tourists can arrange half a day. Hanshan Temple is adjacent to Maple Bridge, and the surrounding area has become somewhat rundown. If you have more time, you can also arrange to visit nearby ancient towns, such as Zhouzhuang and Tongli.

It is not uncommon for a scenic spot to be famous for a poem. Suzhou Maple Bridge is such a scenic spot. The Tang Dynasty poet Zhang Ji wrote a "Fengqiao Night Park", which has been circulating for more than a thousand years. The moon fell with black scorpion frost, and Jiang Feng fishermen slumbered. The Hanshan Temple outside Gusu City, the night and half bells to the passenger ship. Fengqiao is located in the west of Suzhou City. Before the Tang Dynasty, it was a water traffic fortress. However, the Fengqiao that I saw now is not the one that Zhang Ji saw in the past, but the sixth year of Qing Tongzhi (AD 1867). Reconstructed. Jiangnan Mingshan Hanshan Temple is part of the Fengqiao Scenic Area and has a history of more than 1,500 years. However, the reputation of Hanshan Temple is larger than that of Fengqiao. Compared with the bustling tourists in front of Hanshan Temple, the ancient town of Fengqiao opposite Jiangcun Bridge seems a bit deserted. Since the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Fengqiao has been a prosperous business since the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. In the Ming Dynasty, here to fight against cockroaches, the establishment of the iron bell, is an important barrier to the west gate of Suzhou City. Fengqiao is a single-hole stone arch bridge located in the north of Hanshan Temple, only a hundred steps away from the mountain gate. Fan Songda of the Southern Song Dynasty "Wu Junzhi" "Fengqiao, in the Jiuli Road outside the Tuen Mun, has been famous since ancient times, the North and South passengers pass, and there is no such thing as the bridge." Such a bridge is not surprising, in the Jiangnan Water Town Everywhere. You can also take the boat to the upper reaches of Fengqiao, take a picture of the fat, walk through the bridge hole, and enjoy the tranquil scenery of the ancient bridge, ancient customs, ancient town and ancient temple on the water.