The Fengqiao (Maple Bridge) resort, known for its historical relics, sits alongside a river 3.5 kilometers to the west of downtown Suzhou.
The Fengqiao scenic resort includes the Hanshan (Cold Mountain) Temple, Fengqiao Bridge, Jiangcun Bridge, Tieling Pass, Jiangfeng Islet, Jiangfeng Bridge and the canal. Standing on the bridges, tourists can get a panoramic view of Suzhou.
Tieling Pass, also known as the Fengqiao Lookout Tower, was built in the 36th year of the Jiajing emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1557), at a time when Japanese pirates harassed the boats along the Yangtze River. Suzhou built up Tieling Pass to defend itself and strengthen its defenses from the Fengqiao Bridge to Changmen Gate. The pass is the city’s only relic showing the military and civilian struggle against the Japanese of that period.
Jiangfeng Islet combines older parts of the town, the drum tower, trees and flowers, birds twittering, and the sound of bells in a water-friendly setting, and provides a vivid picture of Suzhou folk customs, traditional art, and modern culture.
Ticket prices: 25 yuan ($3.96) per person, 45 yuan per person for the boat sightseeing and Pingtan opera.
Getting there: Take buses Nos 9, 931, 406, 313, 301, 45, or 324, or tourist bus No 3.
