Suzhou Xiyuan Temple Cat Café

Suzhou | Not just stunning gardens, but also the cat star team of Xiyuan Temple✨
Attention all travelers to Suzhou! Besides checking out the gardens, the Buddhist-style cat army at Xiyuan Temple is the real hidden highlight🐈‍⬛

📍Address: No. 18 Xiyuan Lane, Liuyuan Road, Gusu District (near the thousand-year-old Qilishantang Street)
⏰Opening Hours: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM (see guide for special winter dates)

Step into this ancient temple with over 500 years of history, surrounded by the serene scent of sandalwood and the morning and evening bells🕊️
BUT! Don’t be fooled by the tranquility—around the corner you’ll encounter a group of "Sweeping Monk"-level cat masters😽

Some stretch lazily under the ancient ginkgo trees,
some elegantly strut in front of the scripture pavilion,
and the clever ones will even rub against visitors’ ankles asking for pets🐾
These "Buddhist residents" are all worldly-wise and camera-ready!
(ps: On rainy days, you’re more likely to catch their lazy poses~)

📸Photography Tips:
1. Cats are most active early in the morning when there are fewer people
2. Bringing cat treats makes it easier to win the "model" cats’ favor
3. Ancient temple red walls + cats = perfect composition

Every cat here seems enlightened by Buddhist teachings,
whether lying down or standing, they embody Zen spirit,
adding endless vitality to this Ming Dynasty temple🎋

Recommended activities:
✅ Spend 1 hour petting cats
✅ Visit the vegetarian restaurant (highly recommend the vegetarian noodles!)
✅ Walk around the temple to pray for blessings

Friendly reminders:
🙅 Please do not forcibly hold the cats
🙅‍♀️ Do not feed them human food
🙏 Maintain the peaceful atmosphere of the ancient temple

Come meet these healing little Bodhisattvas! Which cat is your favorite?👇