Suzhou Heshan Park

Suzhou Heshan Park

Suzhou Heshan Park is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

- The park is located at the foot of the mountain two kilometers west of Hanshan Temple outside Gusu City, covering an area of 296,000 square meters, with adjacent water areas spanning 150 acres and an elevation of 63.8 meters. It lies one kilometer away from Lion Mountain and Suzhou Amusement Land. - Originally named Hefu Mountain, it was a habitat for birds and cranes. During the Liang Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties, He Qiu resigned from office and retreated to seclusion on the mountaintop, followed by his brother He Dian who also chose to live in seclusion there. After their deaths, they were buried on this mountain. To commemorate the two brothers, the mountain was renamed—hence the origin of its current name.

- Although not large in size, the park boasts abundant natural resources, with green spaces accounting for over 90% of the entire area. In addition to preserving the original natural ecological environment, the park has gradually invested funds in new development and renovation over the years. It now features well-established green zones such as the Osmanthus Grove, Camphor Garden, Chestnut Slope, Bayberry Forest, Plum Blossom Valley, and Jiangnan Bamboo Grove.

Someone once described the scenery of - across the four seasons as follows: In the warm spring of March, fresh leaves sprout and plum blossoms bloom, dressing the mountain in reds and greens like a fairyland; in the scorching summer, one can rest under the shade of trees, enjoy tea, and play chess, refreshed by the cool breeze; in the crisp autumn air, osmanthus flowers fill the mountain with fragrance, while chestnuts hang abundantly from the tree branches; in the serene winter, evergreen bamboo stands tall against the wind, admired for its noble character. Truly, the landscape is picturesque and full of emotion, with - remaining evergreen through all seasons.

In recent years, through restoration efforts, a historical thread has been formed that includes remnants from the ancient times of He Qiu and He Dian of the Liang Dynasty in the Southern Dynasties; a temple commemorating Zhang Shicheng, the leader of the Yuan Dynasty peasant uprising; modern-era cliff inscriptions by the patriotic figure Li Genyuan; a martyrs’ cemetery dedicated to those who sacrificed for the liberation of Suzhou City; and a memorial hall honoring the renowned storytelling artist Xu Lixian. This forms a historical continuum that reflects the history and charm of Fengqiao.