Tiger Hill is located 3 miles (5 kilometers) northwest of Suzhou. Although it is only a little over 110 feet (36 meters) high, the hill resembles a crouching tiger and is notable for its intricately woven pathways and pagodas. This hill is a must-see for history enthusiasts and anyone up for a stroll.
The most famous attractions on the hill are the Pagoda of the Yunyan Temple and Sword Pool. With a history of more than 1,000 years, the Pagoda of the Yunyan Temple is obviously quite ancient and has become the symbol of Suzhou.
As the world’s second “leaning tower,” the Pagoda has a height of more than 150 feet (48 meters) leans 3.59 degrees to the northwest. As for Sword Pool, a legendary story recounts that a He Lu was once a fanatic collector of rare and precious swords, so he ordered the burial of these swords beneath an artificial pool as funerary objects. Emperor Qinshihuan once tried to find these swords but failed.
At the east foot of Tiger Hill, Wanjing Villa, a miniature replica of Suzhou gardens, is an ideal place to enjoy the ancient art of bonsai tree growing. With dense and lush vegetation and rich kinds of plants, the villa display thousands of different specimens.
In the springtime, a flowers show near Tiger Hill impresses tourists with numbers of rare flowers like peony and tulips on display. In autumn, a temple fair is held to highlight folk art and customs.
Opening Time: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m
Admission: RMB 60 (October 31-April 5), RMB 80 (April 6-October 30)
Address: 585 Huqiu Hill, near Shantang Street
Telephone: 512 6532 3488
How to Get there: Take the tourist buses Y1 and Y2.