Suzhou Xiangshan Park

Suzhou Xiangshan Park

Suzhou Xiangshan Park is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Xiangshan Park is located at the southern foot of Xiangshan Mountain in Suzhou City. It is the city's only large comprehensive park. Covering an area of 100 hectares, Xiangshan Park features the “Ten Scenic Spots of Xiangshan,” including Xiangshan Temple, Sonata, Wan Zhang Stele, Fishing Terrace, and Horse-Drinking Pool. The park also has a zoo, an ice-skating rink, a children’s playground, and Xiangshan Lake.

The mountain range of Xiangshan Park stretches from Xuzhou and winds its way here. The main peak of Xiangshan Park is the highest point in northern Anhui and the origin of surrounding mountains. It boasts peculiar peaks, cloud caves, forests, ancient cypresses, old temples, and Han Dynasty steles. Cultural attractions include Emperor Qianlong’s inscription “Blessing My Southern People,” Buffalo Tomb, Sonata Platform, Horse-Drinking Pool, and Scripture Cave, among dozens of others. Atop the mountain, the Cloud Cave swallows and exhales clouds and trees, changing endlessly by the minute; the Incense Burner Peak is steep and majestic; the Layered Green Peak is refreshingly lush. Xiantong Temple (commonly known as Xiangshan Temple) was built during the Jin Dynasty. The newly built children’s playground and Xiangshan Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) integrate cultures from ancient to modern, China and abroad, making Xiangshan Park a great place for leisure and recreation.

Xiangshan Park is the only large comprehensive scenic park in Suzhou City, famous for its “Ten Scenic Spots of Xiangshan.” The Cloud Cave atop the mountain swallows and exhales clouds and trees, shifting forms by the moment; the Incense Burner Peak is steep and imposing; the Layered Green Peak is verdant and enchanting. Xiantong Temple (commonly called Xiangshan Temple) was constructed in the Jin Dynasty. The newly added children’s playground and Xiangshan Tianchi combine traditional and modern elements from both China and overseas, serving as a wonderful destination for leisure and relaxation. With the rapid development of reform and opening up, Xiangshan Park, as an important window and link between Suzhou City and the outside world, will play an increasingly significant role.

Xiantong Temple, also known as Xiangshan Temple or Xianji Wang Temple, is located in the valley between Longshan and Hushan peaks. Surrounded by mountains on three sides with lush forests, it enjoys a beautiful environment. From the temple’s gate tower, one can overlook the entire urban area. Xiantong Temple features a grand architectural scale and a spacious layout, with four courtyards where ancient cypresses and ginkgos tower overhead. In 1973, the municipal government funded renovations of the temple. In 1976, it was repurposed as the site of the city museum. Further renovations were carried out with government funding from 1980 to 1985. In 1992, the Xiangwang Hall was established in the east wing of the main hall. In April 2006, the Mahavira Hall was built north of the main hall, blending architectural styles of ancient temples from both northern and southern China. Its grand and solemn design reflects a distinct contemporary style, adding a new cultural landmark to Suzhou City.

According to a stele inscription from the eighth year of the Tongzhi reign in the Qing Dynasty: In the fifth year of the Taikang era of the Western Jin Dynasty, an imperial decree ordered feudal lords to record the mountains and rivers within their domains. Guo Qing from Pei County built a temple and inscribed: “Majestic Xiangshan, lush and towering, aligned with the celestial heart, resonating with heavenly spirits, producing clouds and rain to enrich the harvest.” It was rebuilt in the first year of the Yonghui reign of the Tang Dynasty. In the 24th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, Anhui Governor Gao Jin petitioned for imperial funds to renovate the temple. It was restored again during the Republican era. The temple still houses 22 stone tablets from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, among which Emperor Qianlong’s calligraphy “Blessing My Southern People” and Gao Jin’s “Shenshui Cliff” steles are the most eye-catching. Xiantong Temple features a grand architectural scale and a spacious layout, with four courtyards where ancient cypresses and ginkgos grow tall. There are 52 rooms in total, including a three-room main gate tower, three-room treasure vault, 14 corridors, seven rooms on each of the east and west wings, a five-room main hall, a three-room rear hall, one stage, one hexagonal pavilion, and a newly built stele corridor. The existing structures follow Qing Dynasty architectural styles, with only the main gate tower, main hall, and hexagonal pavilion featuring glass tiles, while the rest have grey brick roofs with double-sloped designs. During the Huaihai Campaign, Deputy Commander Su Yu held meetings here to strategize and draft the “No. 14 Order of the East China Field Army.” In May 1985, the People’s Government of Anhui Province designated it as a key cultural relic protection unit.

Located on the east side of the southern avenue leading from the eastern entrance of Xiangshan Park to Xiantong Temple, this structure is an auxiliary building of Xiantong Temple. It served as a high platform for welcoming officials and gentry who came to worship and offer music during their mountain pilgrimages.

The cliff carving, also known as Shenshui Cliff, is situated at the base of the rock face on the eastern side of Longshan Mountain, near Xiantong Temple. Surrounded by dense foliage and well-preserved in terms of water and soil, it is relatively hidden. During heavy rain, it becomes a scene of “sudden torrents and cascading waterfalls, yet leaving no trace behind.” When mountain floods rush down the valley, fierce and powerful, the water here vanishes instantly, only to reappear dozens of meters away. The sound of the water varies, resembling either galloping horses or lovers whispering softly.

Located to the north of the “Shenshui Cliff” cliff carving, this peak is covered with peculiar rocks, resembling a giant dragon lying dormant in a deep ravine. Among the jagged rocks, one peak stands out prominently, like a crane among chickens, while the surrounding peaks seem to bow in reverence.

Situated to the northwest of Xiantong Temple, at the concave intersection of the ridgelines of Longshan and Hushan peaks, west of Fishing Terrace. The original stele was about 2 meters tall, 56 centimeters wide, and 20 centimeters thick, with the seal characters “Main Mountain Ten Thousand Zhang” and “Namo Amitabha” engraved in intaglio on the front and back respectively. Originally a boundary marker for the three provinces of Jiangsu, Henan, and Anhui, it was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. Legend says the stele was originally located here but was blown away by mountain winds, traveling through several counties and covering a thousand miles before being blown back to its original spot. A new stele nearby now reads “Greening Xiangshan.” From this vantage point, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Suzhou City.

The Memorial Hall of Liu Kaiqu, a renowned Chinese sculptor and People’s Artist, is nestled within Suzhou Xiangshan Park in Anhui Province. Surrounded by mountains and water, it enjoys a serene and elegant environment.

The Liu Kaiqu Memorial Hall displays a large collection of the master’s precious works and letters, showcasing the brilliant life of Mr. Kaiqu as an outstanding artist and art educator. In May 1995, the Anhui Provincial Party Committee and Government designated the Liu Kaiqu Memorial Hall as a patriotic education base.