Suzhou Shangfangshan National Forest Park

Suzhou Shangfangshan National Forest Park

Suzhou Shangfangshan National Forest Park is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a national forest park.

Suzhou Shangfangshan National Forest Park is located within the renowned national-level Taihu Lake Scenic Area’s Shihu Scenic Area, just 4 kilometers from downtown Suzhou. It is a natural park celebrated for its Wu-Yue historical relics and picturesque Jiangnan water town pastoral scenery. With mountains and waters in harmony and breathtaking landscapes scattered throughout, it is hailed as the “Jewel of Wu Region” and shines as a brilliant pearl within the Taihu Lake Scenic Area. Approved as a national forest park by the Ministry of Forestry in 1992, the park covers an area of 500 hectares with a forest coverage rate of over 95%. It boasts a rich diversity of plant species—89 families and more than 300 varieties—including towering pines, fruit-filled gardens, lush vegetation, and dense woods.

The park consists of a main scenic area, a sightseeing orchard area, and a forest recreation area. The main scenic area features over twenty attractions such as the Lengjia Pagoda, Baijiao Platform, Yuegong Well, Qianlong Imperial Path, Wu-Yue Ancient City Wall, Zhiping Temple, Chamo Islet, Shihu Thatched Cottage, and Beacon Tower. Visitors can explore 2,500-year-old relics from the Wu-Yue Spring and Autumn period, discover the refined stories of emperors, generals, literati, and poets throughout the dynasties, and enjoy rare animals and botanical gardens.

The scenic area has restored ancient buildings dating back 1,500 years, including the Lengjia Temple, Baoji Temple, and Zhiping Temple, forming a unified complex of the upper, middle, and lower temples on Shangfang Mountain. The stone figures, stone beasts, tomb passages, and triple-arched gateways of the Ming Dynasty “Ministry of Personnel Minister” Shen Shixing’s tomb have been renovated and opened to the public. In 1996, with investment from Japan’s Myoohken Co., Ltd., the “China-Japan Peace Park” and “Golden Light Buddha” were newly built, and an 888-meter sightseeing cableway was jointly constructed. This group of modern scenic spots offers visitors breathtaking panoramic views and is highly recommended for its majestic and grand atmosphere.

Address: No. 47 Wuyue Road, Huqiu District, Suzhou

Type: Botanical Garden, Mountain, Lake

Recommended Visiting Time: 2–4 hours

Tel: 0512-62925889

Opening Hours:

7:00-16:30

Ticket Information:

Off-season (November 1 – July 31): 40 RMB; Peak season (August 1 – October 31): 45 RMB.

Suzhou Shihu Zhiping Temple Ruins

Suzhou Yuzhuang (Jue’an)

Suzhou Shihu Scenic Area

Suzhou Shihu Shifo Temple