24 Hours Hotline: +86 137-3541-1378
Email:[email protected]
24 Hours Hotline: +86 137-3541-1378
Email:[email protected]
West Garden Temple ("???", also refer to the xiyuan temple of Suzhou)
Brief Introduction of West Garden Temple
West Garden Temple, located in No.18 West Garden Lane, Liuyuan Road, Gusu district, Suzhou city. West Garden presents factually a garden style temple now. It was first built in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), covering an area of 1.6 acres and its layout like a shapely plan. With over 700 years history, West Garden Temple features Buddhism temples and Chinese classic gardens, it has been the largest temple in Suzhou, which consists of Arches, Mountain Gate, temples and Fengsheng Pond and so on. This is a good choice for Buddhists pray to Buddha. West Garden Temple is the largest temple in Suzhou City. It blends together garden art andtemple art. In the temple you can see the ancienttrees flourish, the temple houses, the bendingriver, the green grass, the birds singing and thefragrant flowers. What a splendid spectacle it is!
History of West Garden Temple
The temple was founded in the Yuan dynasty, was ruined and then became part of a large classical garden, Xiyuan or West Garden. The garden belonged to a Senior Government Official during the Ming Dynasty. When he died, his son donated the garden to the monastery. Most of the buildings were destroyed during the Taiping Rebellion in 1860. It was rebuilt after the war.
The temple is known for its statues, Arhat Hall and Free Life Pond, where 2 famous long-life Asian Giant Softshell Turtles lived. One turtle died in 2007 at the age of 400, and the other has disappeared.
The highlights of West Garden Temple
Arhat Temple
The Arhat Temple is the feature of West Garden Temple, was built in Ming Dynasty. There are five hundred Arhat statues in total, they all have specific names and totally different facial expressions, these statues are same size as human and seated with clothes of good texture. These five hundred arhats were carved and painted with special care by the skillful craftsman in the southern area of China, they all kept the Ming and Qing Dynasty style. In Buddhism, they are regarded as the symbol of power and luck by everyone in all walks of life containing the deep connotation of Chinese Buddhism and Chinese Culture.
Fangsheng Pond
Fangsheng is a Buddhism language, means to free captive animals. In the center of the Fangsheng Pond, there is an octagonal pavillion standing in the water and connected with the bank by zigzag bridges. Many fish are swimming freely in the pond as well as many turtles, among all of which, there is one turtle with over 300 years old, it will come out of the pond in summer only, Buddhist regarded this as a wishing pool.
Transportation
How to get to West Garden Temple
Bus Routes
1. Take bus no. 6, 10, 11, 17 and get off at Xiyuan stop
2. Take tourist bus No. 1, 2, 3, 5 and get off at Xiyuan East stop
Information
Address: West of Lingering-in Garden, XiajinqiaoRoad
Admission Fee: CNY 25
Opening Time: 7:30am - 17:30pm
Best Time to Visit: 1 Hour
Duration：10+ Hours
Attractions(Cities)：Humble Administrators Garden, Tiger Hill, Hanshan Temple, Pingjiang Road
Tour Style：Embark on the ultimate Suzhou day trip from Shanghai, where you’ll explore the city’s most iconic highlights with a private guide. Discover the beauty of the Humble Administrator’s Garden, a UNESCO-listed masterpiece of classical Chinese landscaping, before heading to Tiger Hill, home to the leaning Yunyan Pagoda and centuries-old legends. Visit the tranquil Hanshan Temple, famous for its ancient bell chimes, and end your journey with a stroll along Pingjiang Road, a charming old street lined with traditional houses, boutique shops, and teahouses. With seamless private transportation and expert guidance, this journey offers an immersive cultural experience in the “Venice of the East.”
Duration：10+Hours
Attractions(Cities)：Lingering Garden, Panmen Gate, Hanshan Temple, Shantang Street
Tour Style：A Shanghai to Suzhou day trip offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and scenic beauty, all within easy reach of Shanghai. Begin your journey with a visit to the Lingering Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its classical Chinese landscaping and tranquil atmosphere. Next, explore the iconic Panmen Gate, an ancient city gate that provides a glimpse into Suzhou's rich history and impressive architecture. Continue to the peaceful Hanshan Temple, famous for its ancient bell chimes and historical significance. Finally, stroll along Shantang Street, a charming waterway street lined with traditional buildings, shops, and teahouses. This day trip promises a wonderful exploration of Suzhou’s most famous landmarks.
Duration：6-8 Hours
Attractions(Cities)：Humble Administrators Garden, Tiger Hill, Hanshan Temple, Shantang Street
Tour Style：Embark on the ultimate Suzhou day trip, where you’ll explore the city's most famous landmarks with convenient hotel or train station pickup. Begin your journey at the tranquil Humble Administrator’s Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its classical landscaping and serene beauty. Next, visit Tiger Hill, home to the iconic Yunyan Pagoda and steeped in historical significance. Continue to Hanshan Temple, known for its peaceful atmosphere and ancient bell chimes. Finally, stroll along Shantang Street, a picturesque waterway lined with traditional houses, teahouses, and local shops. This Suzhou day trip offers an immersive experience of the city’s cultural heritage and natural beauty.
Duration：6-8 Hours
Attractions(Cities)：Lingering Garden, Hanshan Temple, Panmen Gate, Pingjiang Road
Tour Style：Experience the best of Suzhou with our Suzhou 1 day tour, designed to showcase the city’s most iconic sights. Begin your adventure at the stunning Lingering Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its classical Chinese landscape design. Continue to Hanshan Temple, a peaceful retreat famous for its ancient bell chimes. Visit the historic Panmen Gate, an ancient city gate offering a glimpse into Suzhou's rich history and architecture. End your day with a leisurely stroll along Pingjiang Road, a charming street lined with traditional houses, teahouses, and vibrant local life. This Suzhou 1 day tour offers a perfect mix of culture, history, and beauty, with convenient pickup from your Suzhou hotel or train station.
Duration：10+ hours
Attractions(Cities)：The Master of Nest Garden, Pingjiang Road, Zhouzhuang Water Town
Tour Style：Embark on a Suzhou and Zhouzhuang Water Town tour from Shanghai and discover the charm of Suzhou’s classical gardens and ancient water towns. Begin your journey at The Master of Nets Garden, a masterpiece of traditional Chinese landscaping known for its elegant pavilions and tranquil ambiance. Stroll along Pingjiang Road, a historic canal-side street lined with traditional houses, teahouses, and boutique shops. Then, travel to Zhouzhuang Water Town, one of China’s most picturesque water towns, where stone bridges, ancient alleys, and serene canals create a timeless atmosphere. This Suzhou and Zhouzhuang Water Town tour from Shanghai offers a seamless and immersive experience, with private car transport ensuring a comfortable and convenient journey.
Wechat: Chinaprivatetour
24 Hours Hotline:
+86 137-3541-1378
Certificate of Excellence
2012~2025
Your Way Holiday
(Your Privacy is Protected)
1 to 1 tailor-made service from our professional travel advisors for the most sophisticated
Constantly excellent reviews for attraction, hotel and service Competitive price
Local experts provide quality tours Best selected knowledgeable local guides Authentic local restaurants
7*24 hours available to create you a worry-free tour. No Hidden Fees and absolutely no pressure to buy. Secured
Copyright © 2017 Suzhouprivatetour.com All rights reserved. 浙ICP备18056007号-4
