Tiger Hill Pagoda - one of the famous landmarks of Suzhou
Last Update: 15th October 2020
Originally built in 601 and located on the top of Tiger Hill, Tiger Hill Pagoda was a wooden structure. The original one was unfortunately destroyed by the thunder. The existing one was built between 959 and 961. The plane of the pagoda is an octagon. It is the oldest large high-rise octagonal tower around China.
Tiger Hill Pagoda Fast Facts
- Chinese Name: Huqiuta (虎丘塔)
- Height: 47.5 meters
- Things to do there: Photography, History and Culture, Buddhism
- Who visits: Photographers, History and Culture Lovers, Buddhist Disciples
- Time required: 1 – 2 x hours
Interested in visiting Tiger Hill Pagoda on a Tour?
Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including the Tiger Hill Pagoda, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.
What to expect at Tiger Hill Pagoda
The seven-layer Tiger Hill Pagoda is a brick structure, weighing more than 6,000 tons. In the reconstruction in 1956, many cultural relics, including a stone box, a box for preserving the Buddhist texts, a copper Buddha statue, a copper mirror, Yue Kiln lotus bowls and the forth were found in the interlayer of the third floor.
Due to the base, since the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644), the pagoda inclined to the northwest. The slope is 2o40’. In 1956, the government of Suzhou invited ancient architecture experts to use iron hoop grouting methods strengthen and repair the pagoda. Finally, the pagoda survives.
Corridors and cores on every floor in the pagoda features exquisite brackets, caisson ceilings, and divers patterns piled with lime which are typical of its kind in the Song Dynasty (960 – 1279). The patterns of peonies are the highlights.
There are also other types of scenic spots to visit. Erxian Pavilion originally built in the Song Dynasty offers two stone statues of two fairies. You can also explore the attractive bonsai in the Suzhou style in Wanjing Estate. Broken Beam Hall in the Yuan Dynasty (1271 – 1368) stands out for the broken main beam which is made of two wooden poles. On the lunar festivals, the local traditional festivals are regularly held in the area as well.
Best time to visit Tiger Hill Pagoda
The best time to visit the pagoda is in the morning.
The best months to visit are from April to October.
Additional Tiger Hill Pagoda Travel Advice
- Opening hours: 07:30 – 17:00 (May 1 – October 7); 07:30 – 16:30 (October 8 – April 30)
- As at 15th October 2020, the entrance pricing to the garden is 60 CNY per person; children between 1.2m tall (1.2m tall included) and 1.4m tall (1.4m tall not included) are charged 30 CNY per person; the elder between 60 years old (60 years old included) and 70 years old (70 years old not included) are charged 30 CNY per person; the elder above 70 years old (70 years old included) and children under 1.2m tall (1.2m tall not included) are free of charge.
- The entrance ticket for the shuttle bus to the top of the hill is 20 CNY per person.
- For the latest pricing, please contact us via email (info@wendyweitours.com)
- Please book the entrance ticket via Suzhou Tourism Official Account (苏州旅游总入口)on WeChat.
- Please present your passports to the staff at the entrance.
Interested in visiting Tiger Hill Pagoda on a Tour?
Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including Tiger Hill Pagoda among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.