Nestled in the heart of Suzhou, Huqiu—is a 2,500-year-old marvel where ancient myths, dramatic natural scenery, and elegant Jiangnan garden architecture converge. Spanning just 500m² with gentle slopes, this compact hill promises an immersive journey through China's imperial past, all accessible by foot along winding stone paths.
The scenic area is divided into three main parts, the Thousand Hills, the Thousand-Man Rock and the Peak.
In this scenic area, what you can see:
- Enter via the historic South Gate, where the first landmark greets you: Haiyong Bridge, a graceful stone arch spanning a tranquil canal. Pause here to admire the hill’s silhouette—locals say it resembles a crouching tiger, inspiring the name "Huqiu" ("Tiger Hill").
- Front Hill: Step onto the moss-covered trails of the Front Hill, where every stone whispers history, such as Trial Sword Stone.
- The Broken Beam Hall (Duanliang Dian): Astound with its 14th-century architecture—built without central support beams, a testament to ancient engineering.
- Thousand-Man Rock (Qianren Shi)：a historic gathering place named for its capacity to hold 1,000 people.
- Sword Pool (Jianchi): a narrow, cliff-bound reservoir whose waters shimmer beneath steep gray walls.
- Climb the gentle steps to the Hilltop, where the Cloud Rock Temple Pagoda dominates the skyline.Tilting 2.34 meters northwest, this 1,000-year-old Song Dynasty pagoda earned its nickname: "China’s Pisa Tower" and "World’s Second Leaning Tower."
- Lengxiang Pavilion (Cold Fragrance Pavilion): surrounded by plum groves, bursts into pink and white blooms from February to March.
- Yulan Mountain House: home to a millennium-old magnolia tree, planted in the Song Dynasty by imperial gardener Zhu Mian, dazzles in early spring with snow-white flowers, creating a serene oasis in the north of the hill.
Why Huqiu?
A Microcosm of China’s Cultural Legacy More than a scenic spot, Huqiu is a living tapestry of China’s past: every path connects Spring-Autumn warrior legends to Ming-Qing garden artistry, while its natural cliffs and groves offer rare contrast to Suzhou’s manicured canals. Whether you’re tracing the cracks in Trial Sword Stone, marveling at the pagoda’s engineering feat, or losing yourself in a sea of spring blooms, Huqiu reveals layers of beauty with each step.
