Don't make the same mistakes I did! Tianping Mountain maple leaf viewing tips and tricks!

Tianping Mountain, formerly known as Baiyun Mountain, is located on Lingtian Road in Wuzhong District, Suzhou. It is the core scenic area of the Taihu Lake National Scenic Area. Tianping Mountain is famous for its "red maple leaves, strange rocks, and clear springs". It is 221 meters above sea level and is named after its flat top. During the Song Dynasty, Emperor Renzong of Song gave this mountain to Fan Zhongyan as his family mountain. There are buildings such as the Fan Zhongyan Memorial Hall on the mountain, which introduce Fan Zhongyan's life and works. 2. Itinerary Morning: Gaoyi Garden Archway: As soon as you enter the mountain gate, the first thing you see is the "Gaoyi Garden" archway given by Emperor Qianlong, which is very magnificent. Jiejia Pavilion: Behind the archway is Jiejia Pavilion. There are small bridges, flowing water, and stone paths along the way, which are great places to take photos. Fan Wenzhenggong Zhonglie Temple: This was once the burial place of Fan Zhongyan's ancestors, full of historical atmosphere. San Taishi Temple: There is a huge ginkgo tree here, which is a great place to take photos. Lunch recommendations: Fengfan Square: Offers specialty snacks such as duck blood vermicelli soup and pot stickers. The Red Maple Market in Fengfan Square also offers Suzhou-style delicacies. Afternoon: Fan Zhongyan Memorial Hall: Admire the calligraphy on the wall. There are also many ginkgo trees in the small courtyard outside the memorial hall. Climbing: Tianping Mountain is 271 meters above sea level, not high, but a bit steep. If you like climbing, you can start now. Wanghu Terrace on the top of the mountain: You can overlook the entire scenic area from the top of the mountain, which is definitely worth the trip. Maple leaf viewing on the way down: After going down the mountain, start to enjoy the maple leaves all the way. The red and yellow leaves are beautiful. 3. Scenic spot opening hours and prices Opening hours: 8:00–17:00, ticket inspection stops at 16:30. Ticket price: CNY 30 per person, CNY 15 for visitors over 60 years old. 4. Is a reservation required? Currently, only the southeast gate of the scenic area is open, with separate entrances and exits. It is recommended to book tickets online in advance to avoid peak tourist periods. 5. Transportation Self-driving: Depart from Suzhou, pass through Shishan Road and Yushan Road, 9.0 km in total, about 23 minutes. Bus: Take Bus 511 → Bus 4 in Suzhou, 11.7 km in total, about 1 hour and 13 minutes. 6. Travel tips and photo spots Ancient Maple Forest: There are ancient maple trees over 400 years old, which are great places to take photos. Shijing Pond: Dug by Fan Yunlin in the late Ming Dynasty, there is a bridge over the pond and a red fence, which is suitable for taking photos. Baiyun Temple: Located west of Tianping Villa, it was originally named Baiyun Nunnery and was named after Baiyun Spring. It is a great place to take photos.