Huqiu Hill, though small in stature, boasts natural landscapes such as cliffs, precipices, and gullies, and numerous cultural sites due to construction across various dynasties. The architecture and vegetation within the garden complement each other, embodying the exquisite style of Jiangnan gardens.
You can learn about stories from the Spring and Autumn period and observe the iconic tilted Yunyan Temple Pagoda. The entire Huqiu scenic area resembles a square, covering an area of about 500 meters in both length and width, with a hill height of only about thirty meters, making it easily navigable on foot.
The scenic area is mainly divided into three parts: Qianshan, Qianren Stone, and the summit. Each section offers many scenic spots and cultural attractions. Apart from the Yunyan Temple Pagoda, highlights include the Sword Pond and Qianren Stone. Huqiu is also an important gathering place for Suzhou’s folk, with the introduction of the Art Flower Fair in spring (from late March to May), showcasing the enchanting grace of precious flowers such as peonies, tulips, Belgian azaleas, and lilies, reflecting a high level of artistic taste.
The Art Flower Fair is complemented by the rich folk customs of the Golden Autumn Temple Fair (in September and October), recreating the grandeur of the Shantang outing and showcasing folk art performances that blend the cultures of the north and south, greatly loved by tourists.
Entering Huqiu scenic area from the south gate (the main gate of Huqiu Road), you first arrive at the front hill. The stone arch bridge that catches your eye is the first attraction of the front hill, named Haiyong Bridge. Standing on Haiyong Bridge and looking forward, the mountain resembles a tiger crouching on the hill, which is said to be the true origin of Huqiu’s name. You can also observe the characteristic of the mountain hidden within the temple and the temple wrapping around the small hill.
The Yunyan Pagoda is currently not accessible inside. You can only enjoy it from the outside. Huqiu Mountain has an attraction called ‘Lengxiang Pavilion’. It was built in the sixth year of the Republic of China. There are plum groves planted around the pavilion. From February to March every year, the sparse shadows and faint fragrance are enchanting. Tourists who come to Huqiu to enjoy plum blossoms can go to Lengxiang Pavilion, brew a pot of fragrant tea, sit alone in one place, taste tea and enjoy plum blossoms, adding more elegance.
Yulan Mountain House is located above Tongyou Pavilion on the north side of Huqiu Mountain. There used to be an ancient magnolia tree here. It is very famous in Wuzhong. According to legend, it was transplanted from Fujian by Zhu Mian of the Song Dynasty. In early spring every year, magnolia buds are about to bloom. This area is elegant and beautiful, quiet and comfortable. Tourists who come here are reluctant to leave and are so delighted that they forget to return. Opening hours: Open from 07:30 to 18:00 from May 1st to October 31st; open from 07:30 to 17:30 from November 1st to April 30th. Preferential policies: Children: Those under 6 years old (inclusive) or under 1.4 meters in height can enter for free with valid identity documents. Half price for minors aged from 6 years old (exclusive) to 18 years old (inclusive). Elderly: Those aged 70 years old and above can enter for free with valid identity documents. [Elderly people in Jiangsu Province aged 60 years old (inclusive) and above can enter with senior citizen’s card or identity card (except for major garden events)]. Students: Full-time undergraduate and below students can enter at half price with valid identity documents. Active-duty military personnel: Active-duty military personnel of the People’s Republic of China can enter for free with military ID cards. Retired military cadres can enter for free with retirement certificates. Disabled people: Disabled people and one accompanying person of severely disabled people can enter for free with valid identity documents. Preferential objects: Preferential objects with the ‘Preferential Certificate for Retired Soldiers of the People’s Republic of China’ and the ‘Preferential Certificate for Martyrs, Military Personnel Who Died on Duty, and Surviving Family Members of Military Personnel Who Died of Illnesses’ can enter for free (except for inner gardens, charged items in the park and night tour projects). Suzhou medical staff: Within seven days (from May 12th to 18th and from August 19th to 25th) starting from International Nurses Day on May 12th and Chinese Doctors’ Day on August 19th every year, Suzhou medical staff can visit scenic areas for free. When Suzhou medical staff visit scenic areas, please show ‘personal ID card’ + ‘Suzhou medical staff free park card (electronic card)’ to enter the park directly without reservation and the first entrance fee is waived. Supplementary note: 1. Elderly people aged 60 years old (inclusive) to 70 years old (exclusive) in this city or province can enter scenic areas (Huqiu, Shangfangshan National Forest Park, Shangfangshan Forest Animal World) for free with valid resident identity cards or ‘Senior Citizen’s Preferential Card’ and other valid certificates. During major garden events held at scenic spots, a half-price discount policy is implemented. 2. For battery sightseeing cars, carriages, and cruise ships in Huqiu Scenic Area, those under 1.Children under 2 meters (inclusive) need to purchase child tickets at the ticket exchange office. For those over 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. 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 of the scenic area provides scenic area maps. Tourists in need can take and consult by themselves. 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.
