Outside Gusu City, find Zen by mooring at Fengqiao at night.

Hanshan Temple was first built during the Tianjian period of the Southern Liang Dynasty. During the Zhide period of the Tang Dynasty, the poet Zhang Ji passed by Hanshan Temple and wrote the timeless masterpiece "Night Mooring Near Maple Bridge" (Photo 7), which made Hanshan Temple famous.

Most of the buildings in Hanshan Temple are from the Qing Dynasty, including the Mahavira Hall, Sutra Depository, Bell Tower, Stele Gallery, Fengjiang Tower, and Shuangzhong Pavilion. The layout of Hanshan Temple does not have a strict central axis. The stone arch bridge in front of the temple gate is Jiangcun Bridge, and the yellow wall between the bridge abutment and the gate is called Zhaobi. Two ancient camphor trees stand on both sides of the gate. Inside the yellow wall, classical pavilions with upturned eaves stand on either side: Fengjiang Tower on the right and Shuangzhong Tower on the left, both inspired by the poem "Night Mooring Near Maple Bridge."

The highlight of Hanshan Temple is its traditional Chinese architectural aesthetic. Of course, it's also a place for prayer and spiritual solace, where you can worship and touch various sacred artifacts (Photos 1–6).

🕙 Opening hours: 7:00 am–6:00 pm, ticket sales stop at 5:00 pm, and entry stops at 5:30 pm.

🎫 Ticket price: 18 yuan/person.

📍 Address: Fengqiao Road, Gusu District, Suzhou City.

🚉 Transportation: Take bus routes 44, 442, Tourist Line 3, or 40 East Line within Suzhou City.

Post by GraceHolmes111 | Mar 23, 2025