After visiting Xiyuan Temple four times, I finally figured it all out!

📍Address

No. 18 Xiyuan Lane, Liuyuan Road, Gusu District, Suzhou. Nestled in the bustling old city, this temple features yellow walls and black tiles harmonizing with classical gardens, making it one of Suzhou's rare "temple-garden" complexes with over a millennium of history.

🚇Transportation

- Metro: Take Line 2 to Shilu Station, transfer to Bus 406 to Xiyuan Station (3-minute walk).
- Bus: Community Bus 9002 directly to Xiyuan Station (91m walk).
- Drive: Navigate to "Xiyuan Temple" ⚠️Limited parking—arrive before 8am on holidays.
- Taxi: Set destination to "East Ticket Office of Xiyuan Temple" for easiest access.

🌿Introduction

Originally named "Jiechuang Lü Temple," Xiyuan Temple was built in the Yuan Dynasty (1264 AD) with 700+ years of history. Converted to a private garden during the Ming Dynasty, it was later donated back as a Buddhist monastery. Blending Jiangnan gardens with religious architecture:

- Architecture: Grand yellow walls, imperial archway, and Mahavira Hall (Qing Dynasty double-eaved hip roof).
- Garden: Zigzag bridges, koi-filled liberation pond, and lakeside pavilion for scripture copying with wind chimes.
- Highlights: 100+ rescue cats 🐱 (nicknamed "Cat Temple"), 400-year-old softshell turtle (only one remains), and 500-statue Arhat Hall (one of China's top four).

🎯Must-Do Activities

1. Blessing Rituals
- Get three incense sticks→Worship clockwise at Heavenly King Hall→Insert incense: center→right→left.
- Toss coins at Mahavira Hall pagoda for luck.
2. Unique Experiences
- Arhat Fortune: Pick an Arhat statue by intuition, count according to your age, and get a fortune card (¥15).
- Scripture Copying: Free sessions at the lakeside pavilion with rain-chime ambiance.
- Cat/Pigeon Feeding: Bring cat treats/bread for koi and chubby pigeons (feed sold at ¥5/bag).
3. Ideal Route: South Gate→Screen Wall→Heavenly King Hall→Mahavira Hall→Arhat Hall→West Garden→Liberation Pond→Lakeside Pavilion→Vegetarian Canteen.

⚠️Tips

- Timing: Arrive at 7:30am⏰ for serenity; vegetarian noodles sell out by 3pm (best before 11am).
- Attire: Plain outfits (horse-face skirts/cheongsams photograph well); avoid short skirts/bare shoulders; step over thresholds (never on!).
- Taboos: No Buddha photos, meat food, or forced cat petting (temperaments vary).
- Duration: 3hrs for in-depth visit; 1hr for quick blessings.

🍜Food

- Temple Vegetarian:
- Guanyin Noodles💰15: Bamboo shoots+mushrooms+gluten in sweet broth (add chili oil!).
- Veggie Buns💰10/5: Greens/red bean paste—buy left of Drum Tower.
- Nearby Eats:
- Shanxiaotang Dumplings: Thin-skinned veggie dumplings near east gate.
- Cat-shaped Ice Cream: Jasmine/matcha flavors, Instagram-worthy.

🛏️Stays

- Near Pingjiang Rd/Shantang St:
- Pingjiang Boutique Inn: Renovated Suzhou mansion, 10min to metro.
- Shantang Scholar's Residence: Riverside rooms, 3km to temple.
- Luxury: Park Hotel Suzhou: 20min drive to Jinji Lake, premium comfort.

🚲Nearby Attractions

1. Lingering Garden: 10min walk—top Suzhou garden famed for spatial design.
2. Shantang Street: 15min bike ride—sunset boat rides under lanterns.
3. Hanshan Temple: 10min taxi—poetic "midnight bells" landmark.
4. Changmen Ancient Wall: Panoramic old-town views.

💡 Ultimate Insight:

Xiyuan's Zen essence lies in dawn incense, afternoon cat naps, vegetarian flavors, and the yellow-wall motto "Awaken self to awaken others." Escape crowds—meditate at the pavilion with wind chimes for the true Jiangnan temple experience! ✨
(Info synthesized from Suzhou cultural resources and multiple visits.)