Sword Pond and Cliff Inscriptions at Tiger Hill

Sword Pond and Cliff Inscriptions at Tiger Hill

The most fascinating ancient site at Tiger Hill is the Sword Pond, believed to be the tomb of King Helü of Wu. Looking north from the Thousand People Rock, beside the round arched gate inscribed with the words “Another World” (别有洞天), you’ll find four bold and powerful characters: “Sword Pond at Tiger Hill” (虎丘剑池), originally written by Yan Yu, the son of the great Tang Dynasty calligrapher Yan Zhenqing. Inside the arch, the stone walls also bear the inscription “Wind in the Valley and Clouds over Springs” (风壑云泉), brushed in a free and elegant style, traditionally attributed to Mi Fu, one of the Four Great Calligraphers of the Song Dynasty. On the left side of the cliff, there are seal script characters “Sword Pond” (剑池), believed to be written by the master calligrapher Wang Xizhi. Historical records indicate that beneath the Sword Pond lies the burial site of King Helü of Wu. The pond is about 45 meters wide and 6 meters deep, remains unfrozen year-round, and has crystal-clear water that’s drinkable. During the Tang Dynasty, Li Xiuqing once praised it as the “Fifth Best Spring Under Heaven.”

On December 19, 2011, the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government designated it as part of the Seventh Batch of Provincial-Level Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Admission: Peak season (April 16 – October 30): 60 RMB; off-peak season (October 31 – April 15): 40 RMB.

Opening Hours

7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Location

No. 8, Tiger Hill

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units