Tiger Hill

Introduction 

Tiger Hill is also known as Surging Sea Hill. It is a large hillock covering an area of 14,100 square meters and is 36 meters high. It is renowned as the number one scenic sight in Suzhou and a national AAAAA scenic spot. The set up was initially constructed to become the cemetery of the king.

Things to see and do on a visit

The Tomb of King He Lu

King He Ku was buried in the hill by his son in 496 BC during the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC-476 BC). He lost his life fighting the war against Yue state. After his burial three days later at the hill came a white tiger came and sat on the grave as if guarding it and it is since then that the location was named the Tiger Hill.

Tiger Hill Pagoda

This is the oldest pagoda in Suzhou and over the years it has become a symbol of the city and also China's Leaning Tower. The Pagoda of the Yunyan Temple stands on the hill's summit and was built during the Northern Song Dynasty between 959 and 961 as a seven-storey octagonal tower following the style of the timber pagodas built during the Tang Dynasty. It is 48 meters high and has tilted to 3.59 degrees to the northwest over the past four hundred years. 

Sword Testing Stone and Sword Pool

King He Lu was sword collector and every time he got a sword he tested it on this particular stone evidenced by crevices made on the rock. The swords are believed to be buried below a sword pool as funeral objects. 1000 workers are believed to have gone missing after completion of the construction of the tomb.

Lu Yu Well

Lu Yu was an old man who lived on Tiger Hill and this is the location where he wrote his first book named ‘The Treatise of Tea’. He dug a well in this area and believed that the water from that well was the third best in the whole of China. His expertise through research in matters tea rendered locals go develop a tea culture in their daily life

Broken Beam Hall 

Broken Beam Hall is a single-eave building made from wood and bamboo only. With a history of more than 600 years, this hall was constructed in the Yuan Dynasty and is divided into two sections reflecting the wisdom and creation of the workers in ancient times. There are four echoing stone tablets perching in the hall with records of the construction and restoration of the Tiger Hill and the Tiger Hill Pagoda.

Verdant Mountain Villa (Yongcui Shanzhuang)

A masterpiece of beautiful gardens that gives Suzhou its fame being the only garden with lakes. It was set up in the tenth year of the leadership of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty between 1644 and 1911. Its structure takes the form of a hill having paths, pavilions and naturally decorated by luxuriant flowers and wood. The Mountain Villa blends harmoniously with its vistas, halls and porches to form the most eye-catching views. 

Wanjing Villa

This villa has the perfect display of bonsai trees of different varieties and specimens. There is a miniature of the different specimens representing full-sized gardens that fascinate visitors in terms of the artistry, science and skill put in their nurturing. Most of the bonsai specimens have even been awarded prizes in prestigious bonsai competitions.

Autumn Temple Fair

The autumn temple fair is normally held between September and October to exhibit Suzhou folk culture, to recreate traditional ancient times and to display the harmonious blend between nature and man. During this time visitors enjoy folk performances such as art performances with gongs and drums, lion dances and dragon dances, taste Suzhou local snacks and experience the vibrant Suzhou culture. The dominant colors of the fair are red and gold representing bumper harvests, joy and happiness. 

Artistic Flower Show

When spring reaches the flowers at the Tiger Hill get into full bloom and create a beautiful sea of colorful flowers. The Annual Artistic Flower Show takes place from March to May and during this period, there are interesting performances like tea making performance, a music show and folk dances. Each year the theme is different and the hill is normally decorated according to the chosen theme. Visitors may see cartoon figures made from flowers, farmers made from straws can be seen pulling a cart and carrying loads and bamboo sticks are created to replicate hands that can be seen waving and greeting visitors.