Tianping Mountain in Suzhou

Tianping Mountain in Suzhou

Tianping Mountain is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Tianping Mountain is located 15 kilometers west of Suzhou city, with an elevation of 221 meters. The mountain features steep and rugged terrain. In ancient times, it was called Baiyun Mountain, also known as Cishan, and is the burial site of the ancestors of Fan Zhongyan, a renowned statesman of the Northern Song Dynasty. The area includes the Tianping Mountain Scenic Area, which covers nearly 100 hectares and is famed for its "three wonders": red maples, peculiar rocks, and clear springs. It boasts eighteen scenic spots such as Ten Thousand Tablet Rocks Facing Heaven, Lofty Virtue Layered in Green, Vast Crimson Glow, and Jade Spring Whispering. It has earned titles like "Number One Mountain in Wu Region" and "Scenic Wonder of the Jiangnan Area," and is one of China's four great maple-viewing destinations.

During the Northern Song Dynasty, the imperial court bestowed Tianping Mountain upon Fan Zhongyan, hence it is also called "Cishan" (Bestowed Mountain). It is celebrated for its maples, springs, and rocks, known collectively as the "Three Wonders." It is also an excellent spot to view Lake Taihu. At the foot of the mountain lies a vast maple forest, with some trees over 400 years old. In autumn, their leaves turn brilliant red, creating what is called the "Vast Crimson Zone." Halfway up the mountain is the Baiyun Spring, praised as the "Number One Water in Wu Region." To its west are two cliffs facing each other like a gate, commonly known as the Dragon Gate or also called One-Line Sky. The mountain is filled with peculiar peaks and rocks. Behind the Brush Holder Peak on the mountainside, rocks encircle the area, standing tall and majestic, referred to as "Ten Thousand Tablet Rocks Facing Heaven." In the eastern valley lies the ancestral tomb of Fan Zhongyan, commonly called "Fan’s Tomb." At the mountain top is the Lake-Viewing Platform, on which sits a round stone facing Lake Taihu, known as the Mirror Reflecting the Lake. Peculiar rocks, clear springs, and red maples are the three wonders of Tianping. The mountain is strewn with uniquely shaped rocks, all jutting upward sharply, resembling the hand-held tablets that ancient ministers held when paying homage to the emperor, thus this landscape is called "Ten Thousand Tablet Rocks Facing Heaven." The clear spring originates from a rock crevice named "Baiyun Spring." The spring water is channeled through bamboo tubes into a stone basin beneath the Cloud Spring Retreat cliff, also called Bowl Spring, and tastes extremely sweet and refreshing. The Tang Dynasty tea sage Lu Yu rated it as the "Number One Water in Wu Region." The red maples were brought over 400 years ago from Fujian by Fan Yunlin, the 17th-generation descendant of Fan Zhongyan. About 176 of them still remain today. In late autumn, when the green fades and the red leaves blaze, they shine brilliantly like rosy clouds, spectacular and dazzling.

Tianping Mountain is a famous mountain. For any renowned mountain, the first attribute is extraordinary natural scenery, and the second is unique cultural heritage. The combination of these exceptional natural landscapes and distinctive human elements blend seamlessly to create the widely celebrated splendors of Tianping.

The wonders of Tianping are first seen in its peculiar rocks. Here, the mountain is covered with jagged, towering rocks that resemble the hu (tablet) held by ministers when paying respects to the emperor in feudal times. These rocks stand densely and layer upon layer, in shapes that are "as if lying down, standing, wrestling, coiling, propping, or supporting—indescribable in words," hence commonly known as "Ten Thousand Tablet Rocks Facing Heaven." Famous rock formations include One-Line Sky, Flying Rock, Standing Brush Peak, Mirror Reflecting the Lake, Parrot Rock, and Seal Stone.

The wonders of Tianping are secondly found in its clear springs. Among them, Baiyun Spring is especially famous. This spring is formed by water gathering from fissures in the mountain rocks. Its water is perennial and never dries up, with a deliciously fresh taste, making it a premium drinking source and the treasured jewel of Tianping Mountain. Additionally, the waters of Shijing Pond and Peach Blossom Stream, formed by mountain springs, have also become renowned mountain waters of Tianping, full of charm and worth pondering.

The wonders of Tianping are thirdly embodied in its red maples. Over 380 sweet gum trees introduced 400 years ago from Fujian by Fan Yunlin, the 17th-generation descendant of Fan Zhongyan, remain mostly vigorous despite their age, forming a major highlight of Tianping Mountain. Among them are ancient maples as tall as a ten-story building, requiring three people to encircle their trunks. Every mid-autumn, their crimson foliage outshines even February blossoms. For centuries, this place has become one of China’s most famous maple-viewing destinations. During that season, visitors come in an endless stream.

The wonders of Tianping are fourthly represented by its sacred relics. Since the Tang Dynasty, Tianping Mountain has been a tourist destination. It has preserved traces of historical figures such as Bai Juyi, Fan Zhongyan, Gao Qi, Shen Zhou, Tang Yin, Wen Zhengming, Emperor Kangxi, and Emperor Qianlong (Qing Gaozong). Architectural complexes represented by "Tianping Mountain Villa" include structures such as Gaoyiyuan Garden, Fan Canyigong Ancestral Hall, Baiyun Ancient Temple, Zhoubowan Nunnery, and Laiyanshe. These classic Chinese buildings not only showcase exquisite architecture but also carry unique and fascinating legends that captivate visitors. In addition, attractions such as the "Worry First, Joy Later" Memorial Archway, "Gaoyiyuan" Memorial Archway, "Fan’s Ancestral Hall," "Three Grand Tutors’ Ancestral Hall," "Qianlong Imperial Path," "Tongzi Gate," and "Peach Blossom Stream" are well worth visiting and cherishing.