Tiger Hill Pagoda Tower
Leaning ancient pagoda on Tiger Hill, Suzhou
The Yunyan 'Leaning' Pagoda at Suzhou's Tiger Hill tilts noticeably; visitors photograph the seven-story brick tower, stroll surrounding gardens and sample local Suzhou tea and silk shops nearby.
Tiger Hill Pagoda at a Glance#
Address: Tiger Hill (Yunyan) Pagoda area, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
Hours: Typically 7:30am-17:00pm (confirm locally)
Admission: Admission typically ¥40-¥60 (varies by season and management)
About Tiger Hill Pagoda#
Tiger Hill Pagoda, commonly called the Yunyan Pagoda, is a historic brick pagoda on Tiger Hill in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, originally built in 961. It is notable for its multi-storey octagonal form and an observable tilt from vertical.
The pagoda stands as the focal point of the Tiger Hill cultural complex, which also includes gardens, small temple remains and the nearby Sword Pond and burial mound. The pagoda itself rises through multiple stories and is a prominent visual landmark visible from around the hill.
The pagoda was constructed in the mid 10th century during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period and has survived through successive repairs and conservation efforts, which have attempted to stabilise and preserve the leaning structure. The hill and its features have long been associated with local historical traditions and burials.
Tiger Hill is immediately west of central Suzhou and forms a wooded cultural-heritage park on a limestone ridge. The site is accessed from the city and is a common short excursion for visitors to Suzhou.
- Construction date: The pagoda dates to the 10th century (built in 961) and is an important leaning tower in China, often compared visually to other leaning towers.
- Site layout: The site combines archaeological remains, gardens and short walking trails and is concentrated within a compact cultural-heritage park in Suzhou.
What to See#
- Yunyan Pagoda (Tiger Hill Pagoda): The Yunyan (Tiger Hill) Pagoda, a seven-story brick pagoda built in 961 that stands about 47 metres tall and leans noticeably from vertical.
- Sword Pond and burial features: Sword Pond and the nearby burial mound traditionally associated with King Helu of Wu, forming part of the Tiger Hill complex with gardens and smaller temple ruins.
How to Get to Tiger Hill Pagoda#
Tiger Hill is about a 20-30 minute taxi or bus ride from Suzhou Railway Station; local buses and tourist shuttles also serve the attraction. The site is well-signposted in central Suzhou.
Tips for Visiting Tiger Hill Pagoda#
- Visit early to avoid tour buses and to see the pagoda's silhouette in morning light across the surrounding gardens.
- Climb the nearby paths to get a higher-angle view of the leaning pagoda and the gardens below.
- Seek out local tea houses in the streets nearby for a calming drink after the climb.
Best Time to Visit Tiger Hill Pagoda#
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable and photogenic times to visit the pagoda and surrounding gardens.
Weather & Climate near Tiger Hill Pagoda#
Tiger Hill Pagoda's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 32°C. Moderate rainfall (945 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 1° - 7° | 1° | 44 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 2.8 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.2h |
| February | Good | 2° - 9° | 3° | 55 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 3.0 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.9h |
| March | Good | 6° - 13° | 8° | 57 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.7 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 72 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 3.1 m/s | 1.1 high | 12.8h |
| May | Very Good | 17° - 25° | 21° | 93 mm | overcast | 74% | 2.7 m/s | 1.3 high | 13.6h |
| June | Good | 21° - 28° | 25° | 153 mm | overcast | 78% | 2.5 m/s | 1.2 high | 14.0h |
| July | Good | 25° - 32° | 34° | 132 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 2.4 m/s | 1.7 very high | 13.8h |
| August | Good | 25° - 32° | 33° | 125 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.6 m/s | 1.6 very high | 13.1h |
| September | Very Good | 20° - 27° | 24° | 105 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 2.5 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.2h |
| October | Excellent | 15° - 22° | 19° | 31 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 2.3 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.3h |
| November | Very Good | 9° - 16° | 12° | 39 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.2 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.4h |
| December | Good | 2° - 10° | 4° | 39 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.6 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.0h |
