Tiger Hill (Huqiu)

Tiger Hill (Huqiu) at 8 Huqiu Shanmen Road in Suzhou's Huqiu District, in China's Jiangsu province, is a low hill in the northwest of the city crowned by the Yunyan Pagoda, a leaning tower first built in 961 during the Five Dynasties period. The hill has been a place of legend for over two thousand years. Tradition places the tomb of King Helu of Wu here, and a white tiger is said to have appeared to guard the grave, giving the hill its name.

The visit follows a route uphill from the main gate. Along the way are Sword Pond, a rocky pool said to conceal the king's burial treasures, and 1,000-Men Rock, a broad flat stone where thousands of workers were supposedly executed after the tomb was built. Other stops include a tea-tasting pavilion, stone steps carved with inscriptions and a series of small halls. The Yunyan Pagoda at the summit is the main landmark; it leans noticeably, and access to the interior is restricted, so visitors mainly view it from outside.

The circuit takes about two hours at an unhurried pace. The best vantage points are the terrace beside the pagoda, which gives a wide view over the surrounding gardens and rooftops, and the stone steps below Sword Pond, from which the pagoda appears above the trees. The pagoda's lean makes it a popular photo subject from several angles, especially in low light.

Crowds are heaviest on weekends, public holidays and mid-morning, when group tours arrive. Early morning on a weekday in spring or autumn is the most comfortable time. Hours are 07:30 to 18:00 in the peak season and slightly shorter in winter. Admission is CNY 70 in peak season and lower in winter, with free entry for children under 1.2 m and reduced fares for students and ages 6 to 18. The site limits daily numbers, so a dated ticket booked through WeChat or Trip.com is advisable, and foreign visitors book with a passport number and carry the passport for entry. Comfortable shoes are important because the paths include many stone steps. Tiger Hill is the northern end of Shantang Street, and it combines well with Lingering Garden and Hanshan Temple, all in the west of Suzhou. A bus or Didi from Lingering Garden costs about CNY 15.