Huqiu Mountain, though a small hill, boasts natural landscapes such as cliffs, precipices, and ravines. Its historical construction has led to numerous cultural attractions. The architecture and flora within the garden complement each other, embodying the exquisite style of a Jiangnan garden. Here, you can learn about stories from the Spring and Autumn period and observe the iconic tilted Yunyan Temple Pagoda.
The entire Huqiu scenic area is roughly square-shaped, covering an area of about 500 meters in both length and width, with a hill height of approximately thirty meters. It is ideal for walking tours. The area is primarily divided into three parts: Qianshan, Qianren Stone, and the summit. Each section offers many scenic and cultural attractions to explore, with the Yunyan Temple Pagoda and the Sword Pond, among others, being highlights.Huqiu is also an important gathering place for Suzhou’s folk. Based on the history of ‘three markets and three festivals,’ the scenic area has innovatively introduced the Spring Art Flower Fair (from late March to May), showcasing the enchanting elegance of precious flowers such as peonies, tulips, Belgian azaleas, and lilies, which are highly appreciated for their artistic value. In contrast, the rich folk customs of the Golden Autumn Temple Fair (in September and October) recreate the grandeur of the Shantang outing, presenting folk art performances that blend the cultures of the north and south, greatly loved by tourists.
Entering the Huqiu scenic area from the South Gate (the main entrance on Huqiu Road), you first arrive at the front mountain. The stone arch bridge that catches your eye is the first attraction of the front mountain, named Haiyong Bridge. Standing on Haiyong Bridge and looking ahead, the shape of the mountain resembles a tiger crouching on it, which is said to be the true origin of Huqiu’s name. You can also see the characteristic of the mountain hidden within the temple, with the temple wrapping around the small hill. Further ahead, you can see the Sword Testing Stone, legendary as the place where King Helü of Wu tested the Mo Ye sword. Today, visiting the Sword Testing Stone reveals a crack through the large stone, resembling a sword cut.
The front mountain also features attractions such as the Broken Beam Hall, the Resounding Stele, the Simple Spring, and the Pillow Stone, each with fantastic and ancient legends that can be learned about through the guide’s narration. Moving forward, you reach the Qianren Stone area, with main attractions including the Qianren Stone, Nodding Stone, Erxian Pavilion, and the Sword Pond. The Sword Pond is a key point of interest in Huqiu, with its unique natural scenery.
The Yunyan Pagoda is currently not open for interior visits; external appreciation is sufficient. Huqiu Mountain features a scenic spot called ‘Lengxiang Pavilion’, which was built in the sixth year of the Republic of China. Surrounding the pavilion are plum orchards that bloom with subtle fragrance from February to March each year. Visitors to Huqiu for plum viewing can enjoy a pot of fragrant tea at Lengxiang Pavilion, sitting alone to savor tea and appreciate the plums, adding to the elegance of the experience.
The Yulan Mountain House is located above the secluded corridor on the north side of Huqiu Mountain. There was once an ancient magnolia tree here, renowned in Wu Zhong, said to have been transplanted from Min by Song Zhu Mian. Every early spring, when the magnolias are about to bloom, the area becomes a serene and beautiful haven, tranquil and comfortable, making visitors reluctant to leave. Opening hours: 07:30-18:00 from May 1st to October 31st; 07:30-17:30 from November 1st to April 30th. Preferential policies: Children aged 6 years (inclusive) or below 1.4 meters (inclusive) in height, with valid identification, enter for free; minors aged 6 years (exclusive) to 18 years (inclusive) enjoy half-price. Elderly aged 70 years (inclusive) and above, with valid identification, enter for free (except for major garden events, Jiangsu Province elderly aged 60 years (inclusive) and above with senior cards or identification enter for free). Students with valid identification who are full-time undergraduates or below enjoy half-price. Active military personnel of the People’s Republic of China with military IDs and retired military officers with retirement certificates enter for free. Disabled persons and one accompanying caregiver for severely disabled persons with valid identification enter for free. Preferential targets with ‘People’s Republic of China Veterans’ preferential certificates’ and ‘People’s Republic of China Martyrs, Military Personnel Who Died in Service, and Deceased Military Personnel’s Dependents’ preferential certificates’ (except for garden within the garden, in-park charges, and night tour projects) enter for free. Suzhou medical staff can enjoy free visits to the scenic area for seven days starting from International Nurses Day on May 12th and Chinese Physicians’ Day on August 19th (May 12th to 18th, August 19th to 25th). Suzhou medical staff should present their ‘personal ID’ and ‘Suzhou Medical Staff Free Garden Card (electronic card)’ for direct access without appointment, exempt from the first ticket fee. Additional notes: 1. Elderly aged 60 years (inclusive) to 70 years (exclusive) in the city or province with valid resident ID or ‘Elderly Preferential Certificate’ and other valid documents can enter scenic spots (Huqiu, Shangfangshan National Forest Park, Shangfangshan Forest Animal World) for free. During large garden events, a half-price policy is implemented. 2. Electric sightseeing cars, horse-drawn carriages, and boats within the Huqiu Scenic Area have a height restriction of 1.Children under 2 meters (inclusive) need to purchase child tickets at the ticket exchange office. For those above 1.2 meters (exclusive), the price is the same for adults and children. Service facilities: Parking lot: [Huqiu South Parking Lot]. Reference price: ¥6/hour. Address: Huqiu North Parking Lot, No. 8 inside the mountain gate, Huqiu District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province. Number of parking spaces: 400.
Charges: For parking within one hour, small vehicles are charged 6 yuan and large vehicles are charged 12 yuan. (Charging standards are for reference only.) Luggage storage: Reference price: free. Scenic area interpretation: There are interpretation services at the tourist centers at the north and south gates. There are free interpretations at specific times and paid interpretations. The paid interpretation costs 200 yuan for 10 people, and an additional 10 yuan is charged for each additional person. Scenic area map: The tourist center in the scenic area provides scenic area maps, which can be taken and consulted by tourists in need. Transportation within the park: Reference price: charged. Rain gear rental: Reference price: free. Address: Tourist center. Toilets: There are multiple toilets in Huqiu, located near the Broken Beam Hall, Yanghejian, Xixi Huancui, Lengxiang Pavilion, tea garden, Yixie Garden, Sun Wu Shrine, and the tourist center at the north gate, etc. , and are marked with eye-catching signs. Mother and baby room: Address: There is a mother and baby room in the toilet of Huqiu. Vending machines: There are vending machines at the south gate exit of the scenic area.
