[2025 Suzhou Attraction] Travel Guide for Ancient Panmen Gates (Updated Mar)

#chinatrip Our first stop in China is Suzhou, a city that truly embodies beauty and history. As our cab cruised along the tree-lined streets, we were captivated by the stunning architecture, feeling as if we had been transported back in time. Our accommodation, the Pan Pacific Suzhou, was a highlight of our visit. This remarkable hotel has been preserved for centuries and is directly connected to the heritage site Pan Men (盘门). Built during the period of the state of Wu, historians estimate it to be around 2,500 years old. The Pan Gate Scenic Area, where it is located, features the "Three Landmarks of Pan Gate" - Ruiguang Pagoda, the Wu Gate, and the Pan Gate itself. While Suzhou's daytime views are breathtaking, the nighttime scenery is nothing short of magical. When the lights come on, the place transforms into a scene straight out of a movie - with performances and street stalls. Within the scenic area, there is a café/bar that offers panoramic views of the lake during the day. The barista recommended visiting again at night when it transforms into a lively bar with unblocked performances. Taking his advice, we returned in the evening and were not disappointed. The night views and the vibrant atmosphere were unforgettable. The day and night views offered contrasting yet equally captivating experiences, making Pan Men a memorable and mesmerising first stop. We left with a deep appreciation for this city's timeless charm and a desire to return someday.

In the gardens of the Panmen Scenic Area in Suzhou, you can enjoy cakes and Chinese tea that look great on social media at the teahouse "Panmen Wenrui Pavilion" 🍵 The cake "Zui" that imitates the Zuiguang Tower in the garden looks great 🤭 I had "Jasmine Green Tea" for cold brew tea and "Zhengshan Xiao Zhonghong Tea" for hot tea. Both were delicious 😊 This teahouse is located in the Panmen Scenic Area, so you need to pay the admission fee to the scenic area, but if you buy a paper admission ticket for 40 yuan at the ticket booth at the entrance to the scenic area, you can use it as a 40 yuan ticket for the teahouse. Please note that this does not apply if you purchase the admission ticket online. 📍Panmen·Wenrui Pavilion ☑︎Address No. 49 East Street, Suzhou City, Panmen Scenic Area ☑︎Opening hours 10:00-18:00 ☑︎Access About a 13-minute walk from the subway "Nanmen" station ※ The admission fee to the "Panmen Scenic Area" is 40 yuan for adults, 20 yuan for children 140-150cm and 60-69 years old, and free for children under 139cm and those over 70 years old. #overseastravel #chinatravel #chinatourism #suzhou #china #teahouse #cafe #cafehopping

Panmen Scenic Area was built in 514 BC as an amphibious gate to protect Suzhou Castle, and the current gate was also built in 1351. It is located in the southwest of Suzhou Castle. The curved roof symbolizes Chineseness. The surrounding area has been developed as a park. Access: 10 minutes walk from Nanmen Station on Suzhou Subway Line 4 Opening hours: 8:30am - 8:30pm Admission fee: 40 yuan #ChinaTourism #China #Suzhou #Panmen

Panmen is a gate located in the southwest corner of the ancient city of Suzhou. Its distinctive water gate and land gate, as well as the Ruiguang Tower in the scenic area in front of the gate, have been designated as national key conservation units. The Lijing Tower, Ruiguang Tower, and Shuangtinglang Bridge are well-balanced and well-placed around the pond, making for a spectacular sight. There is also a cafe on the premises, which is perfect for taking a break. #overseastravel #china #placesthatfeelhistory #historicalsitesthatfeelhistory

#chinatransit The Ancient Panmen Gates are really cool! These historic gates in Suzhou are over 2,500 years old, making them a significant part of China's history. As I walked through the gates, I felt like I was stepping back in time. The gates are surrounded by ancient walls and a beautiful canal. I felt a sense of awe and wonder as I explored the area. It's amazing to think about all the people who have walked through these gates over the centuries. The gates are also surrounded by lovely gardens and walking paths, making it a great place to relax and take in the history. Visiting the Ancient Panmen Gates was an unforgettable experience!

| Lantern Festival Night in a Dreamy Sea of Lanterns. ✨ This year, I chose to experience the most beautiful lantern festival at Panmen in Suzhou! As night falls, the Panmen Lantern Festival poetically showcases the traditional Chinese art of lanterns, with dazzling lights and colorful displays that transport you to a dreamlike world. 🎆 Each lantern tells a story unique to Suzhou, and walking through the sea of lanterns feels like a conversation with history and an intimate encounter with culture! 📸 Beautiful Photos | Capturing Moments at the Lantern Festival Every step is full of surprises, as lanterns gently sway in the wind, casting a soft glow that outlines a picturesque night scene. Each photo captures a flowing story - this is Suzhou, a beautiful blend of ancient and modern! 📷✨ 💡 Highlights of the Beautiful Lantern Sets: 🔮 Giant Lanterns: Resembling scenes from classical paintings, reflecting the unique charm of Jiangnan 🐉 Dragon Dance Lantern Array: A dragon dance lantern array that dances in the night sky, exuding vitality and energy! 🎭 Flower Lantern Group: A variety of flower lantern decorations, colorful and staggered, creating stunning photos! 💖 Lantern Festival Night | A Collision of Tradition and Modernity Here, traditional lanterns are not only preserved, but modern creativity is also integrated, making the entire lantern festival fresh and visually impactful! Walking through the streets of Panmen feels like stepping into another era, with lights, air, and music all telling the romance and history of this city. 🌟 🍡 Lantern Festival Food | A Bite of Happiness Of course, the Lantern Festival wouldn't be complete without delicious food! I tasted a warm tangyuan at a small stall next to the lantern festival, sweet but not greasy, with a soft glutinous rice skin wrapped around the filling, melting in my mouth instantly, bringing a sense of happiness. 🍡💕

Hi, everyone! 👋 Is there a song that reminds you of the water towns in Jiangnan, like a dream? I was inspired by the song "Beautiful Suzhou" to visit Suzhou. The lyrics "Heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below, gardens in the city, green hills outside the city, oh, beautiful Suzhou" describe the beauty of Suzhou in a poetic way, making me want to visit this ancient city to explore its gentleness and elegance. In February, I embarked on a journey to Suzhou with anticipation. Check out my travel guide! 🌆 Suzhou is a famous water town in Jiangnan with a history of over 2,500 years, located in the middle of the Yangtze River Delta. Here, you can find exquisite classical gardens with a Jiangnan charm, where every step offers a different view; the thousand-year-old Grand Canal, where the ripples of time are created by the gentle rocking of oars; and old streets and alleys with white walls and black tiles, where the smoke and fire of life fill the air. In February, Suzhou is still cold, but it has a unique poetic charm, making it a great time to experience the slow life of Jiangnan. 🚗 Transportation Guide ✈️ By Air: After arriving at Sunan Shuofang International Airport, you can take an airport bus to downtown Suzhou, which is economical and affordable. You can also take a taxi, which takes about 30–40 minutes to reach the city center. If you take a high-speed train, Suzhou Station and Suzhou North Station have many trains. Suzhou Station is close to the city center, with well-developed facilities and convenient public transportation and taxis, and you can reach popular attractions as soon as you leave the station. Suzhou North Station is a bit further away, but the transportation connections are smooth. Most city buses operate from 6:00 to 20:00, and you can pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay. Check the bus app for real-time information before traveling. 🗺 Recommended Travel Routes Day 1️⃣: Humble Administrator's Garden - Suzhou Museum - Pingjiang Road Day 2️⃣: Tiger Hill - Shantang Street - Lingering Garden Day 3️⃣: Hanshan Temple - Fengqiao Scenic Area - Panmen Scenic Area 🌟 Must-visit Attractions 📍 Humble Administrator's Garden: As a representative of Jiangnan classical gardens, it is centered around water, with pavilions, rockeries, ponds, and plants arranged in an orderly manner. Walking through it is like being in a poetic painting of ancient literati, with every corner exuding an ancient and elegant atmosphere. Whether it's a secluded path or a pavilion by the pond, you'll want to stop and admire it, and take photos with a great sense of atmosphere. 📷 📍 Hanshan Temple: Famous for Zhang Ji's "A Night Mooring by Maple Bridge," "The moon sets, crows caw, frost fills the sky, river maples and fishing lights make me sleepless. Outside Gusu City, Hanshan Temple, the midnight bell reaches the guest boat." The temple is filled with ancient trees and incense, and listening to the bell tolls feels like traveling through a thousand years, experiencing the weight of history and Zen. 📌 Practical Tips 1. You can book tickets for Humble Administrator's Garden online in advance to avoid peak times on weekends and holidays. Take your time to appreciate the garden scenery and protect the cultural relics. Suzhou Museum is free but requires advance reservation. The museum has a rich collection and unique architecture, and can be visited together with Humble Administrator's Garden to experience the beauty of the fusion of ancient and modern. 2. The same goes for gardens like Tiger Hill and Lingering Garden. Plan your itinerary in advance and arrange your time reasonably. Shantang Street and Pingjiang Road are famous old streets in Suzhou with many delicious foods. You can stroll and taste Suzhou snacks like sweet porridge and begonia cake, but pay attention to food hygiene. You can buy tickets for Hanshan Temple on-site, and visit Fengqiao Scenic Area and Panmen Scenic Area to learn about the history of Suzhou's ancient city gates. 🍜 Local Food Recommendations 🥘 Suzhou-style Noodles: A favorite of Suzhou people, with thin noodles and fresh soup, and a variety of toppings such as braised meat, fried fish, and shrimp. A bowl in the morning, steaming hot, with chewy noodles and rich soup, will start your day full of energy. 👍 🍰 Suzhou-style Pastries: Like plum blossom cake and victory cake, they are delicately shaped, soft and glutinous, sweet but not greasy, full of Jiangnan characteristics, and are great souvenirs when visiting old streets. You can enjoy the sweet taste while walking. 🏨 Hotel Accommodation 📍 Gusu District: Suzhou Nanyuan Hotel, with a prime location in the center of Gusu District, close to many attractions, with a quiet environment, elegant and comfortable rooms, and attentive service, allowing you to immerse yourself in the ancient charm of Suzhou. 📍 Near Pingjiang Road: Suzhou Pingjiang Mansion Boutique Hotel, close to Pingjiang Road, with easy access to the old street. The hotel is decorated in an ancient style with Jiangnan elements, and you can fall asleep to the tranquility of the Jiangnan water town at night. 💖 Travel Experience During these three days in February in Suzhou, I felt like I was immersed in a dreamlike, poetic world. The elegance of Humble Administrator's Garden, the tranquility of Hanshan Temple, and the delicious food all intoxicated me. Humming "Beautiful Suzhou" while strolling through the streets of Suzhou, I truly felt the charm of this city. Everything here is like an endless poem, an endless painting, and I look forward to coming back next time to continue exploring this Jiangnan water town. 💕

Suzhou suzhou 📍Location: About 110km northwest of Shanghai ⏰Time required: About 30 minutes by high-speed train from Shanghai, about 1-2 hours by local train, about 2 hours by bus 🚇How to get to Suzhou from Shanghai: Train, taxi, bus 📆Recommended itinerary: Day trip, 1 night 2 days “How to get to Suzhou from Shanghai“ 1️⃣Train Usually take the train at Shanghai Station or Hongqiao Station and get off at Suzhou Station or Suzhou Nan Station. It takes about 30 minutes by high-speed train and about 1-2 hours by local train. 2️⃣Taxi If you take a Didi taxi from Shanghai to Suzhou, the price is about 200-300 yuan. It takes about 2 hours. It's a long time "Places to visit in Suzhou" 1️⃣Panmen It is the only remaining city gate in Suzhou built during the Spring and Autumn Period. It is said that this is the only remaining water and land gate in China with a water gate and a water gate. In Panmen Park, you can see not only Panmen but also Wumenqiao and Ruiguangshi Tao, so you can see the ancient appearance. 2️⃣Santangjie Suzhou is a city of canals, so there are many water villages and they are well preserved. Among them, Shantangjie is a famous and representative water village in Suzhou. This place is also famous for its beautiful night view. Like Wuzhen Water Village, the red lights are turned on and the night view is so beautiful. Santangjie is also huge like Wuzhen. You can enjoy various Chinese street food on each street. 3️⃣Suzhou Garden Suzhou is called the city of gardens in China. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it is full of traditional Chinese architecture and landscaping art. It's so beautiful Suzhou has four major gardens: Humble Administrator's Garden, Yuyuan Garden, Lion Forest, and Canglang Pavilion These four major gardens are all listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites If you don't have time to see all four gardens in Suzhou, I recommend Humble Administrator's Garden and Lion Forest #Travel Itinerary

Panmen Scenic Area is a must-see! 😍 Step into Panmen Scenic Area and travel back in time. The ancient city walls and magnificent gates tell the story of a glorious past. The scenery is breathtaking. The lush trees and flowers bring life and vitality to this ancient land. Stroll through the area and feel the breeze on your face. The water gate is also a highlight. The river flows gently, and boats sail slowly by, giving you a taste of the unique charm of the Jiangnan water towns. Here, you can also admire traditional architecture and cultural relics. Each one has a story to tell, and you can't help but be immersed in history. Come to Panmen Scenic Area and embark on a journey through time! 💖

A place to experience while traveling in Suzhou, Panmen-zaifen.. Recommended by a local bicycle driver From Lion Forest to Panmen-zaifen, it takes about 40 minutes by bicycle rickshaw(?).. The driver drives to the pier and guides you through the alleys that are not well known to ordinary travelers. The fare is 50 yuan. You can get there quickly by taxi but it is an excellent choice that allows you to see the alleys while going slowly and also helps a little with the hard-working driver's daily wage. After arriving at the pier, take a boat and ride along the big river for about 40 minutes one way. 138 yuan per person.. It seems a little expensive, but the time on the cruise is not short. During the boat ride, a girl guides you, and they play the pipa and sing. This is called pingtan (评弹). Playing music while riding a boat is the very definition of leisurely. The place we arrived at after about 40 minutes is called Panmen (盘门), and when we first got off, we thought, "What is this?" But come to your senses a little and take a walk along the riverbank. There are many places to take pretty pictures, so you'll be busy taking pictures. In particular, I recommend that you take the last boat we took at 4:40 PM, and make sure to take the boat back at a dark time. I thought the boat ride back was a bit boring, but when it got dark, lights came on on both sides of the river, and a really pretty scenery unfolded. I took a picture of it. Please refer to it~~~#TravelLunar #Couples #HistoricalTraces #ScenerySpots #TravelLunar #Panmen

🏰 Discover the Ancient Charm of Suzhou - Panmen Gate Travelogue Location: Gusu District, Suzhou 🅿️ Parking Tip: There's a parking lot north of the east gate, costing CNY 15 per visit, which is quite convenient. 🚇 Travel Suggestion: The subway is a good option, as the South Gate subway station is only 600 meters away, just a short walk. 🌟 Three Highlights of Panmen Gate: 1. Panmen Water and Land Gate: Standing here, you can almost feel its solemnity as the southwestern gate of Suzhou. 2. Wumen Bridge: This ancient bridge spans the canal, witnessing countless historical changes. 3. Ruiguang Pagoda: Standing under the pagoda, you can feel the ancient tranquility. 🚶‍♂️ My Tour Route: Start from the South Gate, visit Wumen Bridge first, then Panmen Urn City, followed by Ruiguang Pagoda, and finally exit from the East Gate. 🚣‍♂️ If you want a different perspective, you can take a boat tour: Navigate to Panmen Wharf, and enjoy the unique scenery of the canal. 🍵 Ticket Secret: - Remember to keep your ticket, as it can be used as cash at the teahouse in the scenic area. - Enjoy a Suzhou-style afternoon tea and try some local snacks for a unique experience. 🎨 Creative Experience: - You can buy a water lantern for CNY 18, DIY your blessings, and release it into the canal, feeling the blend of tradition and modernity. 📸 Photography Tips: - Between 6-7 pm, the lighting is just right, perfect for taking beautiful photos of both lights and people. - After dark, taking photos of lights is fine, but for portraits, you might need to use a flash. 🍽️ Dining Suggestion: - If it's not a market day, there are no dining services in the park, so it's recommended to eat before coming or bring some snacks. 👘 Outfit Recommendation: - Highly recommend wearing Hanfu, as the park is perfect for photos, making you feel like you've traveled back in time. Panmen Gate is not just an ancient city gate of Suzhou, but a witness to history. Visiting here, you can feel the charm of the ancient city and experience a different Suzhou journey! 🌉🌌

"The Great Wall is majestic in the north, while Panmen is beautiful in the south." Suzhou's Panmen Gate was one of the eight gates of the ancient city of Wu, and is the most complete ancient water and land gate in China. The Panmen Lantern Festival has a long history, dating back to the Southern Song Dynasty. At that time, the imperial court set up a naval base near Panmen Gate, and every Lantern Festival, the naval officers and soldiers would hold a lantern festival at Panmen Gate to pray for a successful expedition. In recent years, the Panmen Lantern Festival has become an important cultural event in Suzhou during certain festivals. This year's Panmen New Year Lantern Festival was recently lit, with the theme of "Fish Leaping and Lion Dancing: Panmen's Dream of the Lantern Festival," and features several creative check-in points such as "Red Wall and Happy Drums," "Dragon Gate and Good Fortune," "Lantern Corridor," and "Lantern Festival Dream." In addition, there are five wonderful cultural performances every night at 6:00 pm at Ruiguang Pagoda, Wengcheng, Shuilian Cave Pavilion, Lake Center, and Water Stage. Visitors can enjoy the colorful lanterns, gardens, performances, and markets, and experience the lively atmosphere of the New Year and the Lantern Festival. The entire lantern festival runs from December 21, 2024, to February 12, 2025. If you like lanterns and gardens, don't miss it! Lantern Viewing Tips: Location: No. 49 Dongdajie, Gusu District, Suzhou Transportation: Take Metro Line 4 to Nanmen Station (Exit 7), and walk 1.2 km; take Bus 308 to Nanmen Station, and walk 893 m; take Bus 51 to Xinshiqiao South Station, and walk 1.2 km; take You 5 North Line to Panmen Scenic Area North Station, and walk 691 m. Opening hours: 8:30 am–9:00 pm Ticket price: Daytime, adults CNY 40; minors aged 6 (exclusive) to 18 (inclusive), seniors aged 60 (inclusive) to 69 (inclusive), and full-time university students and below pay half price; children aged 6 (inclusive) and below, seniors aged 70 (inclusive) and above, people with disabilities, and military personnel (including veterans) are free. Nighttime, CNY 50 for all ages.

#2024mapped The Suzhou Panmen Gates are a must-visit historical landmark in Suzhou, offering a glimpse into the city's ancient defensive architecture. The gates, which date back to the Ming Dynasty, are an impressive blend of water and land defenses, featuring a grand archway, a watchtower, and a surrounding moat. Visitors can explore the beautifully preserved structure, walk along the city walls, and enjoy stunning views of the water and surrounding landscapes. Don’t miss the nearby Panmen Scenic Area, which includes traditional gardens and peaceful walking paths, making it a perfect spot for history and nature lovers alike.

🎉The New Year’s Eve countdown event at Panmen Scenic Spot is coming? 👀 📅 The New Year’s Day holiday is getting closer~✨ 🎉 Who are you going to have fun with on New Year’s Eve? Where to go? 🤔 🎆 In addition to watching the gorgeous fireworks show, The countdown is also an activity full of ritual feeling! 🎉 👀 Is Panmen Scenic Area counting down this year? So looking forward to it! Countdown to 3️⃣2️⃣1️⃣, let the sky lanterns fly🏮, super romantic! 👭 When we count down together "3️⃣2️⃣1️⃣", The moment the clock 🕰️ turns to the New Year, Thousands of sky lanterns ✨ rise into the sky at the same time, As bright as the stars, dreamy and shocking! 🌌 🐉 The lion dance brings five blessings🧧 and brings good luck! The five lions of metal, wood, water, fire and earth 🦁 make their debut, It’s hidden in Panmen Garden waiting for you to find it! 🔍 🎉 At that time, let’s look for lions and seek good luck together! 🍀 The fish lanterns🐟 are swimming, the flower lanterns🏮 are bright, and the sky lanterns are dreamy and beautiful! 📸 The antique scene check-in area is waiting for you! 👗 An antique scene full of atmosphere, Immersive interpretation takes you through ancient and modern times! 🎭 🛍️ Stroll around the dimly lit Yuanmeng Market, Welcome the beauty of the New Year with fun interactions! 🎈 🏮 The lights and shadows are like a dream, let’s go to the garden for a joyful night together! 🎉 📝 The play guide is here! 📝 ⏰ Activity time: December 21, 2024 to January 1, 2025 📍 Event location: No. 49 East Street, Gusu District 🚇 Transportation guide: Exit 7 of Nanmen Station of Metro Line 4/5 🎟️ New Year’s Eve admission: 16:00-00:00 the next day 💰 Scenic spot ticket prices: Early bird tickets on New Year’s Eve only start at 29.9 yuan! 🎟️ How to purchase tickets: Search "Panmen" online to get it! 🔍

Winter in Suzhou, a four-day walking guide is here! Avoid the crowds and enjoy the charm of the ancient city. Start your heartwarming journey now! -------- 🚩Itinerary: D1: Fengqiao Scenic Area—Hanshan Temple—Tiger Hill Scenic Area—Shantang Street Visit historical and cultural sites on the first day. Experience the simplicity of Fengqiao and Hanshan Temple, the beauty of Tiger Hill, and the charm of old Suzhou on Shantang Street. D2: Humble Administrator's Garden—Suzhou Museum—Lingering Garden—Suzhou Garden Museum On the second day, experience the beauty of Suzhou gardens. Enjoy the exquisite Humble Administrator's Garden, the historical Suzhou Museum, the unique Lingering Garden, and the Suzhou Garden Museum to learn about garden art. D3: Tianping Mountain—Mudu Ancient Town On the third day, climb Tianping Mountain to enjoy the scenery, then head to Mudu Ancient Town to experience the charm of the water town and its rich history. D4: Lion Grove Garden—Soochow University (Tiancizhuang Campus)—Couple's Retreat Garden—Panmen—Suzhou Ancient Canal On the last day, visit the strange stones of Lion Grove Garden, visit Soochow University to experience the academic atmosphere, stroll through the classical Couple's Retreat Garden, visit the ancient city wall of Panmen, and end your wonderful Suzhou trip along the ancient canal. -------- Must-see attractions: 🌟 Humble Administrator's Garden: Water and mountains, changing scenery, as if in a classical painting. 🍁 Fengqiao Scenic Area: Ancient bridges, canals, and ancient towns complement each other, full of Jiangnan charm. 🔔 Hanshan Temple: A thousand-year-old temple, the sound of the blessing bell echoes in the sky. The stele gallery is full of famous inscriptions, showing the charm of ancient calligraphy. -------- Tips: - Customs: Respect local traditions, avoid loud noises in gardens, and enjoy the slow pace of life in Suzhou. 🍃 - December climate: Suzhou is cold and humid in winter, so bring a warm coat and rain gear. 🧣 - Airport transportation: You can take the subway or taxi from the airport to the city center, which is convenient and fast. 🚖 - Food: Try Suzhou-style snacks, such as xiaolongbao and squirrel fish, and don't miss the local specialties. 🍜 -------- On your Suzhou trip, may every step be a scenery, every place a story, and may you take away memories and peace of mind. 🍃

🏖️Ambiance/Facilities: Good. We can see a lot of efforts have been put in to maintain the attraction. The night view is stunning. 🕰️Business Hours: close before 9pm. must come at night to see the building gets lights up.#panmen #suzhou We were here at 5pm and were amazed by the tower and the panmen gate (water gate and land gate). You will need to pass by the Ruiguang tower and walk straight to the end for the gates. Don't bother to visit the qili shantang street, it is a waste of time.#qili shantang

Old friends! Come to Suzhou to experience the soft Wu dialect and small bridges over flowing water, and enjoy the beautiful mountains and rivers and elegant gardens. Have a comfortable trip to the gentle Gusu City! -- 🏃Itinerary: D1: Fengqiao Scenic Area -> Hanshan Temple -> Tiger Hill Scenic Area -> Shantang Street A one-day trip to enjoy the classical style of Suzhou, from the poetic Fengqiao to the Zen of Hanshan Temple, and then to the historical heritage of Tiger Hill. In the evening, take a stroll along Shantang Street to enjoy the beauty of the ancient city at night. D2: Humble Administrator's Garden -> Suzhou Museum -> Lingering Garden -> Suzhou Garden Museum Experience the delicacy and charm of Suzhou gardens, the beauty of the Humble Administrator's Garden, the cultural heritage of Suzhou Museum, the uniqueness of Lingering Garden, and end with the scroll of the Garden Museum. D3: Tianping Mountain -> Mudu Ancient Town Climb Tianping Mountain to enjoy the beauty of nature; in the afternoon, visit Mudu Ancient Town, wander through the ancient streets and alleys, and feel the leisure and tranquility of the water town in Jiangnan. D4: Lion Grove Garden -> Soochow University (Tiancizhuang Campus) -> Couple's Retreat Garden -> Panmen -> Suzhou Ancient Canal Explore the Lion Grove Garden, feel the academic atmosphere of Soochow University, enjoy the elegant life of Couple's Retreat Garden, appreciate the ancient city style of Panmen, and then take a walk along the ancient canal to end your wonderful trip to Suzhou. -- Travel Essentials: 🎒Going to Suzhou, you need to bring these! 👗 Clothing: In November, the temperature in Suzhou is moderate but changeable, so it is recommended to bring a light jacket or a thin down jacket. You can choose comfortable jeans or casual pants, and wear comfortable flat shoes, as you will be walking in Suzhou gardens and alleys to savor the beauty. 🎒 Accessories: When traveling, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are essential, as the autumn sun in Suzhou is also very gentle. Don't forget to bring rain gear, as the autumn rain in Jiangnan can come at any time. Also, bring a power bank, as you will need enough power to take photos and post them on social media! 📇 Documents: ID card and bank card should be carried with you. If you have a student ID, senior citizen card, or other discount cards, don't forget to bring them, as many attractions in Suzhou offer discounts. 🍵 Others: The beautiful scenery of Suzhou gardens, paired with a cup of good tea, is a perfect combination. It is recommended to bring a small teacup, so you can enjoy good tea anytime. Of course, if you like taking photos, bring a portable camera to capture beautiful moments! -- 🎉Suzhou is waiting for you to explore, don't miss more beautiful scenery and delicious food!✨

You said it's not too late for spring, and I arrived in the real Jiangnan. I have to say, Suzhou is so beautiful that I don't mind coming here many times. There are few idle palaces in the ancient city, but there are many water lanes and small bridges. Especially the moat with a history of more than 2,500 years, which has witnessed the historical changes of Suzhou. When you come to Suzhou, don't miss Panmen, Moat, Wumen Bridge, Panlong Bridge, Renmin Bridge, Nanyuan Bridge... The romance unique to Suzhou Water City, And the ancient (Ruiguang Tower) and modern (Gate of the Orient) of Suzhou are in the same frame. - 📍Panmen Ⓜ️It is very close to Xinshiqiao Station on Suzhou Metro Line 5.

Panmen Garden is located next to the Pan Pacific Hotel in Suzhou. Personally, I found it more serene and beautiful than the Humble Administrator's Garden. At night, there's a night market, making it a great place for a stroll. If possible, stay at the Pan Pacific Hotel, as guests can enter for free. I recommend staying at the Pan Pacific and visiting the garden.

Suzhou, a city full of poetry. Here, you can enjoy the beauty of classical gardens and feel the prosperity of modern cities. Today, I will take you to the Panmen Scenic Area in Suzhou. This is the earliest and only ancient city gate in China with two water gates side by side. Climb up and overlook the city of Suzhou. Panmen at night is even more unique, with dim lights, as if traveling back to ancient times. When you visit Panmen at night, you can also enjoy the large-scale live performance "Panmen Love". This performance combines historical stories with modern technology, as if you are on the ancient battlefield thousands of years ago. After the performance, you can also take a painted boat to enjoy the night view of Suzhou and feel the unique charm of this city.

Did you know that Suzhou has an ancient (not rebuilt) city wall? And a pagoda spanning several centuries that is not Tiger Hill and you can visit it's interiors? We went to Panmen get in the Southwest corner of Gusu district to see history unfold. To our surprise, the canal nearby had a SUP race. There were colorful lanterns to celebrate the mid-autum festival. We got to climb the panmen pagoda and step on the same stones as the people of Suzhou hundreds of years before us. The surrounding area is a blend of tranquil canal-side gardens and bustling markets. Don't miss this hidden gem when in Suzhou! 🕰️Business Hours: Varies depending on special activities in the evenings 🏖️Ambiance/Facilities: Chill vibe, history, snacks, special events. Easy access to bathrooms, tea houses, etc. #Suzhou #visitsuzhou

Panmen Scenic Area is located at No. 49, Dongdajie, Gusu District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province. It is the only ancient city gate relic in Suzhou and the only existing water and land city gate in China, with extremely high historical and cultural value. Here is a guide to Panmen: - Opening hours: 08:30-21:00 (Monday-Sunday, January 1-December 30); 08:30-23:59 (Monday-Sunday, December 31-next year December 31). - Ticket price: CNY 40 (Monday-Sunday, January 1-December 31). Half-price tickets are available for seniors aged 60 (inclusive) to 70 (exclusive) and students (excluding adult education and postgraduates); free tickets are available for children under 1.4 meters (exclusive) and seniors aged 70 (inclusive) and above. - Recommended tour duration: 1-3 hours. - Recommended tour route: - Enter from the south gate of the scenic area: Wumen Bridge-Panmen Wengcheng-Ruiguang Tower, and finally exit from the east gate of the scenic area. - Boat tour: Navigate to Panmen Wharf to take a boat tour of the canal. - Recommended attractions: - Panmen: It is the only ancient city gate in China with both water and land, and has extremely high historical and cultural value. - Wumen Bridge: It is one of the highest single-hole stone bridges in Suzhou. You can climb the mountain stone bridge to see the Panmen City Tower in the distance. - Ruiguang Tower: The ancient tower of the Song Dynasty in the scenic area, you can spend CNY 6 to climb the tower for sightseeing. - Wu Xiangci: It was built to commemorate Wu Zixu, and is composed of halls, corridors and gardens. There are often traditional cultural performances such as Pingtan in the east courtyard. - Shuicheng Tanyou Wharf: You can take a free sculling boat to enjoy the beautiful scenery under the two water gates of Panmen. - Precautions: - Panmen Scenic Area may launch night garden activities on various holidays. The opening hours are not fixed. It is recommended to pay attention to the official website or call the scenic area for consultation. - There are tourist service centers in the scenic area that provide maps, mobile phone charging, and tour guide services. You can also check the scenic area information. - The number of people climbing the tower must be strictly controlled. - You can feed small fish and black swans in the scenic area. - There is a treetop adventure park on the left before climbing the city wall, which is popular with children. - The sculling lady may charge some tips for singing and cheering.

The weather is too hot and I want to take a cruise to visit another section of the Grand Canal (I have already taken the Grand Canal cruise at Xinshiqiao, which is included in the Jiangsu Water Charm Annual Pass). Then I can take a cruise to visit Panmen, Xiangmen, Xumen and other ancient canal waterways and ancient city gates. There are water buses that stop at one stop; "Water Charm Jiangsu Annual Pass" also includes it... Because Suzhou is preventing typhoons🌀, all water cruises have been suspended [Facepalm] The sun is shining🌞, let's take a look at the Panmen waterscape, it's also very nice [Joyful]

🌈 The annual Panmen Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival has begun! We couldn't wait to bring the kids to experience it, and it's really great! Suzhou-style gardens paired with the lantern festival, plus Mid-Autumn exclusive performances to watch, it's perfect for taking kids and photos. Panmen is also great to visit during the day. You can take the kids to walk around the city wall gate. The scenic area is not large, and you can finish touring in half a day. We had lunch and then entered the garden in the evening, just in time to enjoy the beginning of the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival. 🎫 Tickets: 💰40 (8:30-17:30) 🔺 Holders of the Jiangsu Water Transport Tourism Annual Card and Suzhou Tourism Annual Card must enter before 16:00 (scan the code to enter, no ID required) 🎫 Dream Hua Night Tour: Early bird ticket 💰19.9 (16:30-21:00) ⏰ Event time: 2024.9.7-2024.10.31 🅿️ Parking lot: Be sure to go early if there are many people 🗺️ Tour route: Ruiguang Pagoda ➡️ Sishui Hall ➡️ Wuxiang Shrine ➡️ Waterborne Penglai ➡️ Moon Market ➡️ Ancient Water and Land City 🎑 Mid-Autumn Event Time: Five performances daily during the event period ✅ Panmen • Moon Market Event: Open on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, with snacks, ✅ National Style SHOW: 18:00/19:10/20:50 Performance content: Ancient style performance Performance location: Ruiguang Pagoda Program names: Memories of Jiangnan | Qingping Music | Pipa Language ✅ Rowing to Elegance: 18:15/19:30/21:10 Performance content: Pipa Performance location: Waterborne Lake Heart Program names: Taihu Scenery | Blooming Flowers and Full Moon ✅ Lingbo Shengge: 18:25/19:50/21:30 Performance content: Kunqu Opera Performance location: Water Curtain Cave Pavilion Program name: Peony Pavilion ✅ Drumming Storm: 18:40/20:10/21:50 Performance content: Drum Dance Performance location: Wengcheng Program names: Elephant King Walk | Prosperous Dragon Soaring ✅ Blazing Sky: Mid-Autumn National Day Special Performance 18:50/20:20 Performance content: Fire Pot Performance location: Waterborne Lake Heart Program name: Surging Waves and Setting Sun ✅ Neon Dance: 19:00/20:30/22:10 Performance content: Dance Performance location: Waterborne Stage Program name: Dunhuang Dance

Wu Xiang Temple, originally built in the Yuan Dynasty, is located in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, within the Panmen Scenic Area, adjacent to the city river and next to the city tower. It was rebuilt in 1988 and is a temple commemorating the loyal minister Wu Zixu. Wu Xiang Temple is divided into east and west courtyards. The east courtyard consists of halls, corridors, pavilions, and gardens, with flowers, trees, and lake stones adorning the courtyard, surrounded by winding corridors, and bamboo and stone peaks peeking through the lattice windows. The west courtyard is solemn and respectful. The main hall, consisting of three rooms, is the Wu Xiang Temple. Under the horizontal plaque inscribed with 'Majestic as Mountains and Rivers,' stands a vividly painted statue of Wu Zixu, about 4 meters high, evoking deep respect. In front of the seated statue is a couplet on a pillar: 'The ancient city remains as before; climb the heroic pavilion to view the heights; the rebuilt structure, here the turbulent waves all bow.' Another couplet reads: 'The past is clear, passed down through millions of generations; the loyal spirit remains, still among us for hundreds of years.' Inside Wu Xiang Temple, there is a thousand-year-old stone clamp, which was the flagpole stone of the ancient temple. In ancient times, people performed Buddhist rituals in this temple, erecting poles and hanging flags in the stone clamp during the day and lighting eternal lamps at night. 'All who entered the city must salute it.' The stone clamp, over a thousand years old, expresses the Suzhou people's respect for Wu Zixu's immortal achievements and their lament for his 'loyalty met with slander, faith met with suspicion.'

Panmen Scenic Area is located in the southwest corner of the ancient city of Suzhou, covering an area of 24.86 hectares. It is rich in historical sites and cultural landscapes. The Ruiguang Pagoda, the Water and Land City Gate, and the Wumen Bridge within the scenic area are all national key cultural relics protection units. To promote historical culture and accelerate the development of tourism, in recent years, Panmen Scenic Area has restored the ancient city wall, renovated the Ruiguang Pagoda courtyard, rebuilt the Four Auspicious Hall, Wu Xiang Temple, and the Release Pond, and created a pool with three mountains, planted trees and grass, and meticulously constructed scenic spots such as Lijing Tower, Double Pavilion Corridor Bridge, and Water Curtain Cave. It is a project for the renovation and protection of the old city of Suzhou, with unique historical and cultural connotations. It is divided into five parts: the entrance area, the Ming and Qing commercial market area, the central courtyard area, the western residential area, and the city wall park area. The Wumen Bridge, the ancient Panmen Gate, and the Ruiguang Pagoda are organically combined to form a unique scenic tourism pattern.

Panmen, located in the southwest corner of the ancient city of Suzhou, was formerly known as Panmen. It is one of the eight gates of the Great City of Helu built by Wu Zixu during the Spring and Autumn Period, named after the wooden coiled dragon hanging on the gate. Panmen consists of water and land gates, an urn city, and walls on both sides. The water and land gates stand majestically side by side. The land gate is divided into inner and outer layers, with the inner and outer walls forming a square urn city. The urn city was one of the main defensive facilities of ancient cities. The design of Panmen Urn City breaks the norm; the outer and inner gates are not aligned in a straight line. If enemies invade, they must first pass through a winding and narrow passage, greatly slowing their attack speed. This gives the defending soldiers ample time to prepare for battle, shooting arrows and dropping stones from the city walls, achieving the effect of 'catching a turtle in a jar.'

| A great route to avoid the crowds. I heard that there are 100 million people in Suzhou during the Spring Festival! Take advantage of the tail end of the holiday to come to Suzhou for a day trip, perfectly avoid the crowds, and have a super smooth trip! Route: Master of the Nets Garden - Shiquan Street - Canglang Pavilion - Eslite Bookstore - Jinji Lake Sunset - Panmen Scenic Area Lantern Festival 👀Master of the Nets Garden: Make an appointment on "Suzhou Garden Tourism", it's so beautiful on a sunny day! You can take a super classic reflection shot. The bamboo shadows, framed scenery, and plum blossoms in the garden are all so easy to photograph. There is also an enthusiastic aunt who lives nearby who guides you on camera positions and movements, haha! 🎉Shiquan Street: It is right outside Wangshiyuan Garden. This street is full of coffee shops, dessert shops, ice cream shops, clothing shops, and record shops. Many people and cute dogs and cats are basking in the sun. The qelato from Red House CENE is amazing, and the Double Image and Swing Gallery records are a paradise for vinyl lovers! I really love this street~ 🌸Canglang Pavilion: Not far from Shiquan Street, it is a small and beautiful garden with red and white plum blossoms, as well as window views of spring, summer, autumn and winter with peach blossoms, lotus flowers, pomegranates and plum blossoms~ 📚Eslite Bookstore: It’s a bit difficult to take beautiful photos on the big staircase, but it’s really a pleasure to browse the bookstore carefully! The various books are clearly categorized and there is a wide variety of them. If you have time, you can spend an entire afternoon here. 🌅Jinji Lake Sunset: Finally checked in at Jinji Lake sunset! It's so beautiful, perfect for taking atmospheric photos. There are also many restaurants and bars nearby. 🎆Panmen Scenic Area Lantern Festival: This lantern festival is recommended to everyone. It has the atmosphere of ancient people visiting the garden. You can also release water lanterns and make wishes. It is extremely romantic! Suzhou, you will never get tired of it no matter how many times you come here. Just stroll around and you will feel the "real Jiangnan" and you will always be amazed by the aesthetic taste of the ancients!

Panmen Scenic Area, located at the southwest corner of the ancient city of Suzhou, covers an area of 24.86 hectares. It is a tourist attraction formed on the basis of the ancient Panmen, the city wall, and surrounding historical sites. With numerous historical relics and rich cultural landscapes, it is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. Panmen was built in 514 BC, during the first year of King Helü of Wu in the Spring and Autumn period, and was one of the city gates supervised by Wu Zixu. It was originally named 'Panlongmen' (Coiling Dragon Gate) because a wooden coiling dragon was carved and placed above the gate to intimidate the state of Yue. Later, it was renamed 'Panmen' due to the winding and interlacing waterways. The existing gate is a relic from the Yuan dynasty and is the only well-preserved ancient city gate in China that combines both water and land defenses, possessing unique historical and cultural value. It consists of a combination of two water gates, three land gates, and a barbican, reflecting the defensive and residential functions of ancient cities. 📍Location: No. 49 Dongdajie, Gusu District 🎫Ticket: 36 RMB 🕣Opening hours: 8:30-17:30 🚘Transportation tips 🚇Subway: Line 5, Xinshiqiao Station 🚗Self-driving: Xinshiqiao Tourist Boat Terminal parking lot is not expensive, and parking spaces are generally sufficient; ⭐️Recommended spots to check in 1️⃣Panmen Water and Land City Gate It is a relic from over 2500 years ago when Wu Zixu built the city. At that time, he constructed the great city of Helü, creating eight city gates. Suzhou is a water town, with streets and waterways closely intertwined, and the city walls and gates also combined water and land defenses. Time is ruthless, and the other seven water city gates have long been destroyed. The only surviving water and land city gate is Panmen, which is not only unique in China but also unparalleled in the world. The existing city gate is a relic from the Yuan dynasty and is listed as a national key cultural relic protection unit. 2️⃣Wumen Bridge A single-arch stone bridge that spans the Grand Canal outside Panmen, originally built during the Song dynasty and rebuilt during the Qing dynasty, is also a national key cultural relic protection unit. Wumen Bridge was originally the only ancient bridge in the old city of Suzhou that did not require boats to lower their sails to pass through, indicating its height. 3️⃣Ruiguang Pagoda Located within Panmen, it is a seven-story, eight-sided brick and wood structure pagoda, originally built in the first year of the Jingde era of the Northern Song dynasty (1004). Although Ruiguang Pagoda was burned down during the Jianyan era of the Southern Song dynasty and the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan dynasty, and underwent multiple restorations during the Chunxi era of the Southern Song dynasty and the Ming and Qing dynasties, these restorations were mostly limited to the wooden eaves or decorative surfaces, with little change to the brick structure of the pagoda itself, making it a national key cultural relic protection unit. In 1978, a group of truant children playing in the dilapidated Ruiguang Pagoda accidentally discovered a treasure of the Five Dynasties period used to suppress the pagoda's spirit: a pearl sarira treasure dais, which is now one of Suzhou's treasures and is preserved in the Suzhou Museum. The three sights of Panmen, the city gate, and the pagoda echo each other, while the ancient bridge and the canal shine together. Along with the scattered gardens within the city, they weave the historical coordinates of Gusu. 💌Tips: 1. You can climb the tower, with a ticket price of 💰6, and the number of visitors is strictly controlled. 2. In the scenic area, you can feed small fish and black swans. 3. There is a treetop adventure park on the left before climbing the city wall, which is quite popular with children. 4. During the Dragon Boat Festival, the Gusu International Coffee Culture Festival takes place, with several well-known milk tea shops participating, as well as beautiful cultural and creative ice cream