Lingyan Mountain in Suzhou

Lingyan Mountain in Suzhou

Lingyan Mountain is located at the western end of Mudu Town. The ancient imperial path along Shantang Street leads directly to the mountain’s summit. The mountain is about 1.5 kilometers from Taihu Lake, stands 182 meters high, and covers an area of 124 hectares. It features many unusual rocks, especially the Ganoderma lucidum-shaped stone, from which it gets its name. From a distance, Lingyan resembles a giant elephant lying on the ground, hence its alternate name, Elephant Mountain. Because the western slope produces inkstone material, it is also called Inkstone Mountain.

Lingyan Mountain has long been praised as “the most beautiful peak in southern Jiangnan,” “more spectacular than Tiantai Mountain,” and “the foremost peak of Wu Region.” Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty both made multiple southern tours and stayed at the Lingyan Mountain temporary palace. The hiking trail winds up from Lougu Ridge to the summit, paved with stones and bricks, and is said to be the imperial path of Emperor Kangxi. The scenic route is enchanting, featuring sights such as “A Path Through the Pavilion,” “Emerald Green Greets You,” “Falling Blossoms at Sunset,” “Pine Winds in the Pagoda Courtyard,” “The Drunken Monk Awaiting the Ferry,” “Traces of the Yue Maiden,” “Taihu Lake in View,” “Arrow Creek Fragrance Gathering,” “Beautiful Peaks and Ancient Temples,” “Lingyan Pagoda Shadows,” “Temple Bells in the Evening,” “Lights of Ten Thousand Homes,” “Mountain Lodges Embracing Greenery,” “Ruins of the Wu Palace,” “Garden on the Summit,” “Corridors Echoing with Sound,” “Ancient Trees and Fragrant Paths,” and “Moonlit Terraces.” Literary figures such as Fan Zhongyan, Su Shi, Lu You, Tang Yin, Wen Zhengming, and others have left over 300 well-known poems here. The Ming Dynasty literary master Yuan Hongdao described Lingyan as “not very high, but its seclusion and wonder surpass all others in Wu Region.”

The mountain is composed of granite, with significant spheroidal weathering of the rocks, resulting in many uniquely shaped stones. In the past, it was known for having twelve or even eighteen uniquely shaped rocks. These rocks resemble humans or objects, vividly and intriguingly. Examples include the Drunken Monk Stone (commonly called the Foolish Man Waiting for His Wife) and the Turtle Stone (commonly called the Turtle Gazing at Taihu Lake), both of which are strikingly lifelike and full of charm.

Lingyan Mountain witnessed the struggles of the Wu and Yue states. Legend has it that during the Spring and Autumn Period, after Xi Shi was presented by King Goujian of Yue to King Fuchai of Wu, she won his great favor. To please her, King Fuchai built the grand Guanwa Palace for her on Lingyan Mountain. Today, many ruins of the Guanwa Palace remain at the mountain’s summit, along with numerous legends. To the west of the current Lingyan Mountain Temple is a garden inscribed by the Ming Dynasty scholar Wang Ao with the words “Scenic Spot of Wu Region.” Within the garden is the “Flower-Playing Pond,” said to have been dug by King Fuchai for Xi Shi to admire lotus flowers. To the north of the pond are two wells: the round one is called the “King’s Well,” where legend says Xi Shi often combed her hair while looking into the water, using it as a mirror; the octagonal one is called the “Zhiji Well,” known for its sweet, clear, and inexhaustible water. To the north of the garden is the “Moon-Playing Pond,” surrounded by rockeries. Legend says that because Xi Shi disliked craning her neck to look at the moon, King Fuchai ordered the pond dug so the moon could be reflected in the water. Xi Shi and the king would often admire the moon together on clear nights. Other attractions include the “Xi Shi Cave,” “Qin Terrace,” “Moon-Draping Terrace,” “Moon-Gazing Terrace,” “Buddha Sun Rock,” and “Flower-Offering Rock,” all of which have inspired poetic verses.

Lingyan Mountain is known as a “famous monastery in the southeast.” At the end of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the Minister of Works Lu Wan once lived here and converted his residence into a temple. In the second year of the Tianjian era of the Liang Dynasty (503 AD), it was expanded into a monastery named Xiufeng Temple, and during the Tang Dynasty, it was renamed Lingyan Temple. In the Shaoxing era of the Song Dynasty, the court granted it to the famous anti-Jin general Han Shizhong and renamed it Xianqin Chongbao Temple. In the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, it was renamed Xiangguo Yongzuo Temple, but was later destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt in the sixth year of the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, but was again destroyed in the tenth year of the Xianfeng era. It was reconstructed in 1926 and took over 20 years to complete. It was renamed Lingyan Mountain Temple by Master Yinguang.

Address: Shantang Street, Mudu Ancient Town, Wuzhong District, Suzhou (near Lingshan Road)

Type: Mountain, Historical Site, Temple, Ancient Pagoda

Recommended Visiting Time: 3–4 hours

Phone: 0512-66261310

Opening Hours:

6:30-17:30

Mudu Town: Located by Taihu Lake and at the foot of Lingyan and Tianping Mountains, Mudu Town is a garden town in China with a history of over 2,500 years. It boasts a profound Wu culture and beautiful mountain scenery. Covering an area of 62.28 square kilometers, it has a local population of 86,000 and over 200,000 migrants. Historically a key town in Wuzhong, it is known as the hometown of stone carving, calligraphy, and gardens, and enjoys the reputation of being the “Foremost Town in Wu Region.” It has been honored as a “National Model for Creating Civilized Small Towns,” “Advanced Town in Creating Civilized Towns,” “China’s Famous Historical and Cultural Town,” and a “National Sanitary Town.” … More details about Mudu Town ++