Tiger Hill in Suzhou

Tiger Hill in Suzhou

Situated in the Tiger Hill Scenic Area at the northwest corner of Suzhou’s ancient city, Tiger Hill has a history of more than 2,500 years and is honored as the “No.1 Scenic Spot in the Wu Region.” The famous quote by Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo — “It is a lifelong regret if you visit Suzhou without seeing Tiger Hill!” — has established it as a dream destination for tourists. The scenic area now covers an area of 100 hectares, with a protected zone spanning 475.9 hectares. As an important tourism landmark of Suzhou, Tiger Hill has received numerous accolades, including being named among the first batch of Top Ten Civilized and Scenic Tourist Areas in China, designated as a National AAAA-level Scenic Spot, and earning ISO9001–14001 dual-system certification in December 2001.

Tiger Hill

Tiger Hill

Originally known as Haiyong Mountain, Tiger Hill is said to be the burial site of King Helü of Wu according to *Records of the Grand Historian*. Legend has it that three days after his burial, a white tiger was seen perched upon the hill, hence the name. Covering just over 300 acres and rising only about 30 meters in height, Tiger Hill possesses the grandeur of "the finest landscape in the land south of the Yangtze River," featuring dramatic cliffs, deep valleys, and ever-changing scenery. It is home to the Three Wonders, Nine Attractions, and Eighteen Scenic Spots, among which the most renowned are the Yunyan Temple Pagoda, Sword Pool, and Thousand People Stone. The towering Yunyan Temple Pagoda, with a history of over a thousand years, is the world’s second most leaning tower. Its ancient and majestic presence has long served as a symbolic landmark of Suzhou. The mysterious Sword Pool harbors the age-old enigma of King Helü’s tomb, captivating visitors with its eerie allure. The majestic Thousand People Stone carries the legendary tale of “Master Sheng delivering a sermon while a thousand listeners sat at its base.” The Wanjing Mountain Villa at the western foot of Tiger Hill showcases the essence of Suzhou-style penjing (miniature landscaping), set against the backdrop of mountain shadows and pagoda silhouettes, presenting a serene and picturesque scene. The lush, densely forested hillsides behind Tiger Hill are teeming with diverse vegetation and flocks of birds circling the pagoda — a truly spectacular sight. In recent years, two of the original “Ten Scenes of Tiger Hill,” “West Stream Verdant Hues” and “Scholar’s Stage Pine Shadows,” have been restored. In 2005, the first phase of the Tiger Hill lighting project was completed, causing the ancient leaning pagoda to glow brilliantly under the night sky, becoming a new highlight of Suzhou’s nighttime cityscape.

Tiger Hill is also a vital venue for folk culture in Suzhou. Based on the local tradition of the “Three Markets and Three Festivals,” the Tiger Hill Scenic Area Management Office holds an annual Spring Flower Festival, displaying 170,000 pots of precious flowers including peonies, tulips, Belgian azaleas, and lilies across hundreds of varieties. In the autumn, it hosts a vibrant Folk Culture Festival featuring traditional performances from both northern and southern China, which are immensely popular with visitors. These two annual events have become highlights of Suzhou’s signature tourism offerings. In 2004, the scenic area launched a special Spring Flower Exhibition featuring forced-blooming peonies. With the successful completion of its lighting project, the area also plans to introduce special events such as Mid-Autumn Moonlight Lantern Festivals.

The Tiger Hill Scenic Area presents a stunning tableau where Wu culture and Jiangnan landscapes blend seamlessly. It stands as a shining jewel among the many tourist destinations in East China.

Address: No. ??, Tiger Hill Gate, Gusu District, Suzhou City

Type: Historical Site

Rating: AAAAA

Recommended Visit Duration: 3–4 hours

Phone: 0512-65323488

Official Website: http://www.tigerhill.com/

Opening Hours:

May 1 – October 7: 7:30–17:30; October 8 – April 30: 7:30–17:00 (Last entry at 16:00; please plan your visit accordingly)

Ticket Information:

Peak Season (April, May, July–October): Adult ticket 80 RMB; Off-Season (June, November–March of the following year): Adult ticket 60 RMB.