Dongshan (East Dongting Mountain), Suzhou

Dongshan (East Dongting Mountain), Suzhou

• The Huan Shan Road is like a jade ribbon, allowing you to enjoy views of Taihu Lake and exquisite ancient architecture along the way, as well as sample the “Three Whites of Taihu.”

Attraction Introduction

Dongshan, also known as East Dongting Mountain, is about a two-hour bus ride from downtown Suzhou. It is a peninsula that extends into Taihu Lake and includes several small islands in the lake. Viewing the misty lake scenery and sampling fresh aquatic delicacies are must-do activities here. The island’s attractions mainly consist of ancient architecture, offering a relaxing experience suitable for older visitors.

Among the main attractions on Dongshan, only Sanshan Island is an isolated islet that requires a boat ride to reach. The rest are located on the Dongshan Peninsula. The western side of the peninsula is dominated by Moli Peak, with various attractions clustered around the mountain and connected by the Huan Shan Road, making the tour route circular. At the “Dongshan Post Office” bus stop in the town center, you can take Bus 629 to loop around the northern half or Bus 627 for the southern half. The roadsides are lined with white-walled, black-tiled residences and vast orchards. Bus 629 even runs along the shore of Taihu Lake, offering scenic views throughout the journey. At night, Dongshan is very peaceful. The Huan Shan Road resembles a jade belt on the lake, with rows of streetlights and the twinkling lights of homes at the foot of the green mountains casting reflections on the water, creating another enchanting scene.

If you plan to visit many attractions, it is recommended to purchase the Dongshan Combination Ticket, which offers great value and is valid for two days. Without visiting Sanshan Island, you can cover Dongshan in one day, though it will be a bit rushed—two days is ideal. If you do visit Sanshan Island, three days are recommended: one night on the Dongshan Peninsula and one on Sanshan Island. There are many agritainment options on both the Dongshan Peninsula and Sanshan Island, with similar conditions. On the Dongshan Peninsula, it is recommended to stay in Luxiang Ancient Village, which is the midpoint of the loop route and where Buses 627 and 629 intersect. On Sanshan Island, you can choose any accommodation you like.

At local agritainment spots, don’t miss trying the specialty dishes. The “Three Whites of Taihu”—whitefish, whitebait, and white shrimp—are delicious, and in autumn you can enjoy Taihu hairy crabs. Dongshan offers different green produce in each season, with Biluochun tea in April, loquats in May, and oranges in autumn being the most famous. Vendors selling these can often be found along the roadsides and at attraction entrances.

On your first day after arriving in Dongshan, you can start by visiting Qiyuan Garden (Xi Family Garden), a typical Suzhou-style garden. The “Three Treasures” here are Liu Yi’s Well, the plum tree planted by Emperor Kangxi, and the Imperial Wharf. Its greatest feature is its incorporation of Taihu Lake views, with the Imperial Wharf extending into the lake. Then follow the northern half of the Huan Shan Road to Luxiang Ancient Village. The three archways built to commemorate Wang Ao’s consecutive top rankings in the imperial examinations are the village’s landmarks. Most of the residential houses that serve as attractions have charming little gardens. In the evening, you can visit the Taihu Fishing Village opposite the ancient village to see the harbor boats and the sunset over Taihu Lake.

On the second day, take the southern half of the loop to Zijin Nunnery. Along the way, you will pass Xuanyuan Palace, Mingshan Hall, and Yangwan Ancient Village in sequence, which you can explore if time permits. The highlight of Zijin Nunnery is the vivid and ancient painted clay sculptures in the Arhat Hall. You can have vegetarian lunch at the nunnery’s vegetarian restaurant. Next, visit the Carved Flower Mansion, known for its intricate carvings everywhere—you’ll want to look out for hidden walls, treasure chambers, and the “Child Lotus” carving. For families with children who may not be as interested in cultural sites, consider visiting Yuhua Shengjing, a short distance from the Carved Flower Mansion, for some hiking. It takes at least an hour to hike to the top of Moli Peak from there, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Taihu Lake.

At Changqi Pier in Dongshan Town, Suzhou (accessible via Bus 629), there are ferries to Xianqi Pier on Sanshan Island. The one-way fare is 20 RMB, and specific schedules can be found on the Sanshan Island official website under the “About Sanshan Island” section. Renting a bicycle near Xianqi Pier is a great way to explore the island, with a reference price of 10 RMB per ride. From Xianqi Pier on the eastern shore of the island to Sisters Bridge, you can enjoy wetland scenery. In the central part of the island (near Niangniang Temple by the wetlands, where there is a path up the mountain) and the southwestern corner by Taihu Lake, you can see Taihu Lake stones.

Special Tips

1. Do not pick fruits from the trees at will. Respect the hard work of the local people; you may purchase them if you wish to eat them.

2. If you rent a bicycle on Sanshan Island, be sure to choose carefully, as some bikes are old and may not ride smoothly.

3. When staying at an agritainment spot in Luxiang Ancient Village, it is recommended to ask the owner in advance whether you can get a discount on attraction tickets. Generally, if the owner takes you into the village, you can enter without a ticket, but you will still need to show a ticket to visit the smaller attractions within the village. If the owner buys the tickets for you, you may get a half-price discount. Of course, if you have purchased the Dongshan Combination Ticket, this discount does not matter.

Address: Beside Shengjingdi, Wuzhong District, Suzhou

Type: Mountain, lake, island/peninsula

Recommended Visiting Time: 1–3 days

Phone: 0512-66399231

Opening Hours:

Dongshan is open all day. Opening hours for individual attractions: 8:30–17:00.

Ticket Information:

No entrance fee for Dongshan. Individual attractions within Dongshan charge separately.

Dongshan Town: Located southwest of Suzhou, 37 kilometers from the ancient city of Suzhou, Dongshan Town is a shining pearl by Taihu Lake. Covering a total area of 96.55 square kilometers, it governs 13 villages (communities) with a permanent population of 54,000. Surrounded by water on three sides and blessed with a pleasant climate and abundant natural resources, Dongshan is a renowned land of flowers, fruits, fish, and rice. It enjoys titles such as “China’s Hometown of Biluochun Tea” and “China’s Hometown of Taihu Crabs.” Biluochun tea, white sand loquats, dark purple bayberries, Taihu hairy crabs, various premium vegetables, and high-quality Taihu aquatic products are available year-round. “There are fruits in every season, flowers every month…” More details about Dongshan Town ++