Tiger Hill

In the far northwest of town, Tiger Hill is popular with local tourists. The hill itself is artificial and is the final resting place of He Lu, founding father of Sūzhōu. He Lu died in the 6th century BC and myths have coalesced around him – he is said to have been buried with a collection of 3000 swords and to be guarded by a white tiger.

The most popular point (and a sort of beacon drawing the visitors) is the leaning Cloud Rock Pagoda (云岩塔; Yúnyán Tǎ) atop Tiger Hill. The octagonal seven-storey pagoda, also known as Hǔqīu Pagoda, was built in the 10th century entirely of brick, an innovation in Chinese architecture at the time. The pagoda began tilting over 400 years ago, and today the highest point is displaced more than 2m from its original position. Comparisons by local guides to the Leaning Tower of Pisa are inevitable though the tower cannot be climbed.

Tourist buses Y1 and Y2 from the train station go to Tiger Hill.