Hanshan Temple is situated in the town of Fengqiao (Maple Bridge) in the west suburbs of Suzhou, only one kilometer west of the Lingering Garden. It was first constructed in the Liang Dynasty (502-557). During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), a famous monk called Hanshan lived in the temple. the temple was later renamed after his name. The temple used to be one of the 10 most famous temples in China. Zhang Ji, a noted Tang-dynasty poet once wrote a poem "A Night Mooring by Maple Bridge," which, as a result,made the temple even more famous all over China. Hanshan Temple has gone through many restorations. The present compound was rebuilt in the reign of Emperors Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty.
The Bell Tower is an important part of the Hanshan Temple. The bell depicted in Zhang Ji's poem has long been lost and the present one was bilt in 1906. When it tolls, its deep sounds produce far-reaching echoes. Listening to the bell tolls of the Hanshan Temple on the Chinese New Year Eve is a grand routine ccasion for visitors to Suzhou and people in nearby areas. It is believed that the 108 bell tolls can bring peace and happiness for people in the coming new year.
The Hanshan Temple can be viewed very clearly with its grey roof tiles and yellow walls among the surrounding pine and cypress trees. The main houses and towers of the Temple building area provide a good view of the area.
Chinese visitors like to purchase the tickets to ring the bell in the Bell Tower for this action of Buddhist devotion is believed to bring good fortune and good luck, but they maybe just do it for enjoying themselves.
Open hours: 7:00-18:00
How to get there: Take bus 33,44,301,307 or tourist bus 3
Entrance Fee: RMB 20
Hanshan Temple has gone through many restorations. The present compound was rebuilt in the reign of Emperors Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty.
