Tiger Hill

» Suzhou, Jiang Su

Tiger Hill Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Tiger Hill is an artificial hill and the burial place of He Lu. Regarded as the founder of Suzhou (in the 6th century B.C), he is believed to be protected by a white tiger which came to visit the grave. Tiger Hill is famous for its scenery and popular with tourists. The brick leaning Cloud Rock Pagoda (built in the 10th century A.D.) stands on the Hill. Other temples on the hill are composed with the Sword Pool and the Thousand Men Stone.

Another Part of the Wonder in China

There can be little doubt that Tiger Hill is a wonderful sight with its leaning pagoda, waterfalls and landscaped paths. It is hard to believe that the hill was man made to be the burial place of king but this is yet another part of the wonder that is China, a land that will never cease to amaze and enthral the visitor with its heritage.

Two names

Entitled as "the most famous place in Wuzhong", Tiger Hill, also named "Surging Sea Hill", "Surging Sea Peak", is located at the northwest suburbs of Suzhou city, 3.5 kilometers from the Chang Gate.

How it got its name

It is recorded that it was the very place of the tomb of Wu King Helu in the Spring and Autumn Period (770 B.C - 476 B.C). In 496 B.C., Wu King Helu died in the war between Wu Kingdom and Yue Kingdom, his son then buried him under the Tiger Hill with his excellent sword. Three days after the burial of Wu King Helu, people found a white tiger was squatting on the tomb, hence the name Tiger Hill.

How many years "tiger hill" past

During the Eastern Jin dynasty, with a temple built on the hill, Tiger Hill changed into a Buddhism hill from the tomb of the kings. In successive dynasties, more and more architectures were added here and with the change of the dynasties, Tiger Hill experienced the rise and the fall endlessly during 2400 years, which leaves us numerous relics of legacy of history.

A scenic spot must see

Su Dongpo, literary master of the Song dynasty once remarked, "It's a thing for regret to visit Suzhou without seeing the Tiger Hill". So popular is the saying that the Hill becomes a must on the itinerary of every visitor to Suzhou.

A famous Song Dynasty poet, Su Shi said, 'It is a lifelong pity if having visited Suzhou you did not visit Tiger Hill.' This epitomises the general opinion of those who have seen this local beauty spot with its many attractions that we shall endeavour to describe for you.

What to see

The Tomb of King He Lu

In 496 B.C. during the Spring and Autumn Period (770 B.C. - 476 B.C.), He Lu, King of the Wu perished during the war fought against the Yue. His son buried him within the hill and three days after the funeral a white tiger came and sat upon the grave as though guarding it. From that time on it has been known as Tiger Hill.

Tiger Hill Pagoda

The pagoda stands on the hill's summit and is the Pagoda of the Yunyan Temple. As the oldest pagoda in the vicinity of Suzhou it has come to be a symbol of the city and has the distinction of being China's Leaning Tower. Built during the Northern Song Dynasty (959 - 961) it is a seven-storey octahedron after the style of the timber pagodas built during the early Tang period. It is 48 metres high (158 feet) and for the past four hundred years has leant 359' to the northwest.

Sword Testing Stone and Sword Pool

King He Lu was a zealous collector of rare swords and it is said that he tested them upon this stone. The crevice thus made in the rock is the only evidence of the existence of these swords, as it is believed that they were buried beneath the Sword Pool as funerary objects. Another mystery that surrounds the tomb is the whereabouts of the remains of the 1,000 workers who built it and who were put to death upon completion of the task.

Lu Yu Well

Lu Yu was an authority on the art of tea and wrote the first ever book on the subject entitled 'The Treatise of Tea'. As an old man, he lived on Tiger Hill and it was here that he wrote the final part of his book. Lu Yu excavated the well and declared that the water from it was the third best in all China. Consequent upon the research and teaching of Lu Yu tea growing and consumption came to be important factors in the daily life of the citizens of Suzhou.

Verdant Mountain Villa

Built in the tenth year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) the villa is a masterpiece of the splendid gardens for which Suzhou is so famous. The Verdant Mountain Villa (Yongcui Shanzhuang) was designed so that it embraced the natural vistas and views from the halls and porches are most pleasing to the eye.

Wanjing Villa

The ancient art of bonsai tree growing originated in China and there are thousands of magnificent specimens on display at this villa. Many of the specimens you can see have been awarded prize palms in prestigious bonsai competitions. The miniature replicas of full sized gardens are sure to amaze you and will give an insight into the skill and artistry of Chinese master gardeners that has been handed down from long ago.

When to visit

Opening time: 7:30a.m. - 6:00p.m.

Getting there

By bus

Buses 8, 32, 49, 146 or tourist bus 1, 2 all get to tiger hill.

By taxi

All cab drivers know Tiger Hill, so just say out to them is ok.

Attractions around » Suzhou, Jiang Su

Historical Site

• Hanshan Temple
• Tongli Town
• Panmen Gate

Cultural Site

• Tiger Hill
• Humble Administrator's Garden
• Liuyuan Garden
• Panmen Gate
• Shizilin Garden
• Master-of-Nets Garden
• Canglang Pavilion

Shopping & Leisure

• Guanqian Street

Tiger Hill Highlights

Garden & Park in Great China

• Nanwan Monkey Island
• Summer Palace
• Norbulingka Park
• Tiger Hill
• Yuantouzhu
• Humble Administrator's Garden
• Mt. Lushan
• West Hill
• Diecai Hill
• Fubo Hill
• Elephant Trunk Hill
• Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone
• Yuexiu Park
• Liuyuan Garden
• Jinshan Temple
• Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden
• Stone Bell Hill
• Tianyi Pavilion
• Eling Park
• Long Island
• Window of the World
• Splendid China
• Seven Star Park
• Yuelu Academy
• Moon Hill
• Luhuitou Park
• Xinglong Tropical Botanical Garden
• Beijing Zoo
• Fragrant Hill
• Duxiu Peak
• Jinshitan Scenic Area
• Dragon Pavilion
• Schoolboy Hill
• Chongqing Zoo
• Wangjiang Park
• Wenshuyuan
• Beihai Park
• Old Summer Palace
• Siberia Tiger Park
• Turtle Garden
• Pagoda Hill
• Yueyang Tower
• Village of Ethnic Culture
• Mural Hill
• Snail Hill
• Yuquan Park
• Liyuan Garden
• Panmen Gate
• Shizilin Garden
• Yuyuan Garden
• Big Banyan Tree
• Grand View Tower
• Xinghai Park
• Merryland World
• Master-of-Nets Garden
• Heyuan Garden
• Geyuan Garden
• Laodong Park
• Grand View Garden
• Shenyang Forest Wild Zoo
• Botanical Garden
• Drum Hill
• White Pagoda Mountain Park
• Five Spring Park
• Waterwheel Park
• Guiyang Forest Park
• Sun Island Park
• Zhaolin Park
• Wenfeng Park
• Hangzhou Botanical Garden
• Guyi Garden
• Green Lake Park
• Canglang Pavilion
• Chakpori Hill
• Water Park
• Jade Buddha Park
• Orchid Pavilion
• Children's Park
• Jade Emperor Pavilion
• Qianling Park

Tiger Hill FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. How about the weather in Suzhou?
2. When is the best time to visit there?

  Travel

1. How to rent a bicycle?
2. Write down names and numbers if you don't speak Chinese.

  Customs

1. Could you tell me something about local festival - Ya Shenxian?

  Other Hints

1. People do tips there?
2. Do people speak English there?

• How about the weather in Suzhou?

  Suzhou is located in a subtropical monsoon zone, so the weather is mild and moist with four distinct seasons.

  The Plum Rain Season of June is followed by a hot July. After July, a harvest autumn arrives. Both the fresh fruits and the seafood will surely whet your appetite.

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When is the best time to visit there?

• It's best to visit Suzhou between January and April because the temperature is not too low and the flowers are in full bloom until June.

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• How to rent a bicycle?

  You can find bicycles for rent at a lot of place, but you will need to leave deposit and show your identity card.

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• Write dowm names and numbers if you don't speak Chinese.

  Being a foreigner in China, is quite demanding as you would have to struggle with the language barrier. Our best tip for people travelling from one place to another is to know the chinese character of the place you intend to go to and make sure you jot down the plate number of the bus, and it may prove very helpful once you leave some stuff behind.

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• Could you tell me something about local festival - Ya Shenxian?

  Ya Shenxian (April 14th in Chinese lunar calendar)
  April 14th is said to be the birthday of Lv Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals in Chinese Taoist mythology.

  On that day, he comes to Suzhou disguised as a human to spread happiness and prosperity. To receive more luck from the immortal, people from all over Suzhou crowd the streets in celebration.

  Today, this activity has turned into a bustling temple fair with various displays including handicrafts, plants, animals, and local snacks.

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• People do tips there?

  People here in Suzhou usually don't do tips. You don't have to pay porters for carrying things around for you. You don't have to pay waiter or waitress for bringing your dish.

  But some tips might make their life a bit easier. So tip or not tip, all depends on your personal preference.

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• Do people speak English there?

  The official language of China is Mandarin, though regional dialects pervade every corner of this massive country. Learning a few phrases in Mandarin is sufficient for travel in Suzhou.

  While younger Chinese and those involved with the tourist industry may understand varying degrees of English, it is still advised that visitors carry the name of their hotel and other important destinations written in Chinese characters.

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