Panmen Scenic Area

Panmen Scenic Area

Panmen Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a key cultural relic protection unit in China.

Panmen Scenic Area is situated at the southwestern end of the ancient city, adjacent to Wu Palace Pan-Pacific Hotel and Xinshi Road to the north, and crossing the city moat to the south. It houses the famous “Three Sights of Panmen”: the Water and Land Gate, Rui Guang Pagoda, and Wumen Bridge. On September 23, 1999, the new Panmen Scenic Area was officially opened to the public. In September 2001, when the APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting was held in Suzhou, the SIRUI Hall within the scenic area was chosen as the venue.

Panmen is one of the eight ancient city gates of Suzhou, originally built in 514 BC. It was initially called “Pánmén” (Coiling Dragon Gate) because a wooden coiling dragon was carved and placed atop the gate to ward off the Kingdom of Yue. Later, due to the winding flow of water around it, the name was changed to “盘门” (Panmen, meaning “Winding Gate”). The existing gate structure dates back to the Yuan Dynasty, while the gate tower was rebuilt in the early summer of 1986. Comprising two water gates, two land gates, a barbican, a gate tower, and adjacent walls, Panmen is the only well-preserved water-and-land dual gate in Suzhou’s ancient city, and also the only remaining combined water-and-land gate in China. It is a protected cultural relic site of Jiangsu Province.

The land gate consists of inner and outer sections, with a “barbican” between them that could be used to hide troops or trap enemies. The water gate and land gate are closely connected and also have inner and outer layers, with a hidden passage linking the two gates to the gate tower. Both the water and land gates are equipped with large gate valves, which were historically operated by capstans to lift or close, thereby controlling pedestrian and boat traffic and facilitating urban defense.

Climbing the ramp on the northern side of the wall allows you to view the full layout and structure of both the land and water gates. The battlements, cannons, crenels, arrow slits, gun ports, gate sluices, windlass stones, and rooftop wells (firefighting facilities) are all well-preserved. The waters around Panmen are wide and fast-flowing, once a common area for ancient naval fleets, making it a strategically vital location. Hence, the gate tower is inscribed with the words “中吴锁钥” (The Lock and Key of Central Wu), accompanied by the couplet: “古吴城阙川原壮，旧国干戈战伐多” (The ancient city of Wu stands majestic over rivers and plains; its past is marked by countless battles and wars). As you admire this couplet atop the tower and take in the historical relics before you, how can one not be filled with a deep sense of nostalgia?

Wumen Bridge is situated right next to Panmen and spans the ancient canal. Originally built during the Song Dynasty and later reconstructed in the Qing Dynasty, it has a history of over 130 years. It is the tallest surviving single-arch stone bridge in downtown Suzhou and is a protected cultural relic site of the city. The bridge stretches 66.3 meters in length, with a clear span of 16 meters and an arch height of 9.85 meters, resembling a full moon. Both the northern and southern approaches are paved with solid flagstones, flanked by carved stone benches. The entire structure is logically designed, graceful in form, and embodies the classic style of ancient bridges in the Jiangnan water towns. Ascending the steps and standing atop the bridge, one can take in the crisscrossing waterways, numerous bridges, passing boats, continuous city walls, towering ancient pagodas, and the distant mountains and nearby waters—all offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the ancient city.

Rui Guang Pagoda was originally constructed during the Chiwu era of Sun Quan in the Three Kingdoms period. To repay his mother’s kindness, Sun Quan built a 13-story reliquary stupa known as the Bao’en Pagoda (Pagoda of Gratitude) at Pujue Chan Temple—this was the earliest Buddhist pagoda in Suzhou’s history. Legend says the pagoda emitted five-colored lights. During the Song Dynasty, the eminent monk Yuanzhao gave lectures here, and his profound interpretations of Buddhist scriptures were said to have caused four auspicious signs: the temple drum sounding on its own, dead bamboo sprouting green shoots, a white turtle in the pond listening to the dharma, and the pagoda radiating five-colored light from its sacred relics. Emperor Huizong of Song then bestowed the name “Rui Guang Chan Temple” (Temple of Auspicious Light), and the Bao’en Pagoda was renamed “Rui Guang Si Ta” (Rui Guang Temple Pagoda), commonly known as Rui Guang Pagoda. The current Rui Guang Pagoda was built in the first year of the Jingde era (1004 AD) in the early Northern Song Dynasty. It stands approximately 53.6 meters tall and features a seven-story, octagonal pavilion-style structure. The pagoda tapers upward, giving its silhouette a gentle curve. Its simple yet elegant design reflects the architectural style and structural characteristics of pagodas from the Tang and Song periods. The brick body of the pagoda largely retains its original Song Dynasty construction. The third floor is the core of the entire structure; in 1978, a hidden chamber known as the “Heavenly Palace” was discovered here, containing precious artifacts such as the “True Pearl Relic Stupa.” Rui Guang Pagoda is exquisitely built, beautifully shaped, made of fine materials, and rich in treasures. It holds immense historical, artistic, and scientific value. In January 1988, it was designated as part of the third group of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level by the State Council.

Ticket: 40 RMB

Address: No. 49 Dongda Street, Canglang District, Suzhou

Type: Historic Site

Rating: AAAA

Recommended Visit Duration: 0.5 day

Phone: 0512-65260004

Opening Hours: 8:00–17:00

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units

· Top 100 Historic Site Attractions of 2020

· Sixth Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level