East China

Cold Mountain Temple Travel Guide

Mooring by Maple Bridge at Night · Big Bell · Poem Monument

Hanshan Temple became one of the most famous temples in China because of Zhang Ji's line, 'Beyond Gusu City, Hanshan Temple, the sound of the midnight bell reaches the traveler’s boat.' The temple is not large, but together with the bell tower, the poetry stele, and Maple Bridge, it forms the most classic set of cultural imagery in Jiangnan.

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Destination Details

Key facts

Best seasonThroughout the year, the New Year's Eve bells are the loudest.

Suggested stay1–1.5 hours

Key highlightsGreat Hero Hall · Bell Tower · Maple Bridge and Iron Bell Pass · Poetry Stele

Admission ticketTickets for Hanshan Temple and Maple Bridge Scenic Area are purchased separately

TrafficOutside Xichang Gate of the ancient city of Suzhou, about 5 kilometers from the city center

Hanshan Temple was originally built during the Tianjian period of the Southern Liang dynasty and was initially named Miaoli Puming Pagoda Temple. It was renamed during the Tang dynasty because Hanshan Zi became the abbot. The existing buildings were rebuilt in the late Qing dynasty and in recent years; the scale is not large, but the layout is complete.

Highlights

Bell Tower and Large Bell

The temple houses a Tang-style large bell that visitors can pay to ring. The bell-ringing event on New Year's Eve is the most popular way to celebrate the new year in Suzhou and requires advance booking.

Maple Bridge and Tieling Pass

The Maple Bridge scenic area outside the temple is the real location described in Zhang Ji's poem "A Night Mooring by Maple Bridge" (Jiang Feng Yu Huo Dui Chou Mian). The bridge, the pass, the canal, and commemorative steles form an independent scenic area, separated from Hanshan Temple by only a wall.

Poetry Steles

There are poetry steles of "A Night Mooring by Maple Bridge" both inside the temple and in the Maple Bridge scenic area, with inscriptions by Yue Fei, Wen Zhengming, and others being the most precious.

Suggested Duration

1 hour: Hanshan Temple itself.
Half a day: add the Maple Bridge scenic area and canal boat tour.

Local Tips

New Year's Eve bell-ringing requires advance reservation; tickets are basically unavailable on the day.
There are many tour groups during the day, but it becomes much quieter after evening.