Shihu Scenic Area in Suzhou

Shihu Scenic Area in Suzhou

The Shihu Scenic Area is located about 4.5 kilometers southwest of the ancient city area of Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. It is a natural landscape scenic spot that combines historical relics from the Wu and Yue states with the pastoral mountain-water scenery of the Jiangnan region. During the Spring and Autumn Period, it was a hunting and ceremonial ground for the nobility of the Wu State and also an ancient battlefield in the struggles between the Wu and Yue states. During the Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties, scholars and literati often built villas here to live in seclusion and indulge in the natural landscape, leaving behind numerous historical and cultural landscapes.

The total area of the scenic area is 34.62 square kilometers, of which the planned area is 26.1 square kilometers, divided into seven scenic zones: Shihu, Shangfangshan, Wushan, Binhu, Qizishan, Qianjiawu, and Shangjinwan. The protected area spans 12.27 square kilometers. The core areas, the Shihu and Shangfangshan scenic zones, consist of the Shihu water system, the Hengshan mountain range, as well as the valleys between the mountains and lakes, and the lakeside areas. The terrain, landform, and cultural sites are well-preserved, with ancient relics such as Wucheng (Wu City), Yuecheng (Yue City), Jiaotai (Suburban Terrace), and Lido (Lakeside Island) still remaining. The water surface of Shihu covers approximately 3.6 square kilometers and was originally an inner bay of Taihu Lake. It got its name when people from the Yue state chiseled through the rocks at the foot of the mountain to create a passage to Suzhou. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty visited Shihu six times during his six southern tours and praised it, saying: “Beautiful landscapes may be found everywhere, but none can surpass Shihu.”

On the 18th day of the eighth lunar month, locals have the custom of viewing the “String of Moons” over Shihu. On that night, when the moon rises and the sky is bright with few stars, the reflections of the moon through the nine arches of Xingchun Bridge appear like a string of moons, creating a spectacular sight. The Shihu String of Moons is as famous as the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon in Hangzhou and the Morning Moon over Lugou Bridge in Beijing. The scenic area offers services such as barbecuing and boat rides. Major attractions include: Shangfangshan National Forest Park; three Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Heritage sites — the Tomb of Shen Shixing, the Lengqie Pagoda Courtyard, and the Yuecheng Ruins; five Suzhou Municipal Cultural Heritage sites — Xingchun Bridge, the Memorial Temple of Fan Chengda, Zhiping Temple, Yuecheng Bridge, and the Tomb of Gu Ye Wang; and more than 20 other sites such as Shifo Temple, Jiaotai, the Qianlong Imperial Path, Yuzhuang (Fisherman’s Manor), Baoji Spring, Peacock Garden, Shidi (Stone Dike), Yuedi (Moon Dike), and the ruins of Wucheng.

Admission Fee

Shangfangshan Scenic Zone: 40 RMB (off-season), 45 RMB (peak-season)

Opening Hours

6:00–16:30 (Attraction services: 8:00–16:00)

Location

Wuyue Road, Huqiu District, Suzhou City

Shangfangshan National Forest Park in Suzhou

Shihu Zhiping Temple Ruins in Suzhou

Suzhou Yuzhuang (Jue’an)

Shihu Shifo Temple in Suzhou