[Suzhou] - Panmen Scenic Area East & Ruiguang Pagoda

We joined the tour and Pan Gate (Panmen = 盘门) is one of the famous attractions in Suzhou. It's a historical landmark that encircles the canal of Suzhou.

 It said that Great Wall is famous for its magnificence while 

Panmen City Gate is famous for its elegance.

 

As a landmark of the ancient city of Suzhou, Pan Gate is the only existing ancient parallel city gate with both water entrance and land entrance in China, which is provided with great historical and cultural values. 

 

We took a boat to Panmen Scenic Area passing this canals

with beautiful pavilion on top of the bridge...

 

During the boat ride, the tour guide told us that this crafted wall belongs to

 Pan Pacific 5-star hotel. You may check out the video below... 

Suzhou Water Town...

 

Pan Men Gate is a red house building with curved roof sitting on a solid base.

 

According to historical records, Panmen, or Pan Gate, built in 514. It was one of the eight gates of the capital of Wu Kingdom. The present gate was constructed in 1351 during Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368) and repaired for several times in later dynasties.

  

It is now part of the Pan Gate Scenic Area. It is known as 3 Scenic Area: 
the unique ancient Pan Gate, the prestigious and ancient Ruiguang Pagoda Tower
and the famed ancient Wumen Bridge.  

 
Entrance to Ruiguang Pagoda...

  
Ruiguang Pagoda (Auspicious Light Temple) was built in 247 AD
during the reign of King Chiwu Sun Quan of Three Kingdom Era.

This 175 feet seven story octagonal pagoda is one of
the oldest Buddhist pagodas built in Suzhou.

 

 

Ruiguang Pagoda is listed as national key cultural relics protection site in 1988.  

   

During the succeeding dynasties it was destroyed and rebuilt many times 

for political and religious reasons."


The Ruigang Pagoda is constructed of brick with wooden platforms 

and has simple Buddhist carvings at its base. 

 

 

Attractive Scenery Pavilion facing Fabled Aquatic Abode of Immortals.

 

 Stunning yet tranquil view from the Hall of Four Auspicious Merits.

 

You can find Giant White Turtle Listening to Buddhist Scriptures outside this hall.

 

Dharma Drum.

Exquisite ancient building, arch bridge and reflection of pavilions on the water 

looks like a pretty painting from the bygone Wu Dynasty...

Billows-hiding green Forest Pavilion &

School of koi fish swimming in this pretty Taiji Captive Fish Freeing Pool!

Su Fwi Yuan & Water Curtain Cavity.

 

Wish that I can sit inside this pavilion and enjoy a cup of aromatic tea

and admire this lovely garden with calming waterway / big pond...

 

I'm falling in love...

Life does not come with instructions on how to live, but it does come 

with trees, sunsets, smiles and laughter, so enjoy your day~!

[Tongyeong] - Dongpirang Mural Village (동피랑마을)

We arrived at Dongpirang Mural Village, which I think it's one of the famous attractions in Tongyeong. Well, I didn't see any foreigners around, but a lot of locals and students everywhere.

 The word "Dongpirang" (동피랑) is made of two words. 

 "Dong" (동 = East) and "Pirang" (피랑 = Hill in a Tongyeong dialect). 

Eye-catching Murals were painted in year 2007. 

Just follow the green signage to the filming location of 

JTBC Drama "Ppadam Ppadam" (빠담빠담), starring 

Jung Woo-sung, Han Ji-min and Kim Bum.


The last episode of "The Innocent Man" or "Nice Guy"
(세상 어디에도 없는 착한 남자) 

 

starring Song Joong Ki and Moon Chae Won was took place
at this beautiful Village where he proposed to her on the bench...

and Seo Eun-gi was caught snapping photos of 

Kang Maru at her bread shop (cafe at the hill).

Photo with Mr Lee, our Kisa-nim cum Guide-nim.

 Isn't this cafe with a bright red roof attractive?

  

Unique and interesting cafes can be found in the alleys. 

 My kiddos would be so happy to see Totoro if they're here.

 Hot or cold drinks? Coffee or Tea?

Light snacks are also available... 

take a seat and enjoy the free beautiful view from the top of East Cliff.

Beer at the rooftop... refreshing?!

 I wanted to "swim" around like a fish in the alleys 

but we didn't have enough time as we needed to visit other places

and return to the guesthouse within 3 hours.

Dongporu Pavilion is sitting on the hilltop.

This place was where Admiral Yi Sun Sin built 

East Fortress during Joseon Dynasty. 

I think the students were having an excursion to Dongpirang Village. I would have liked to sit inside the pavilion to enjoy 360 views before leaving. But maybe next time because it was too crowded.  

From there, you can have a perfect view over Tongyeong city and and Gangguan Port.

Can you see the Turtle ship docked at the port?

Ok, lets palli palli march down there~!

oops... I forgot my Angel's Wings... *Flap Flap*

Add: 100, Dongpirang-gil, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do

경상남도 통영시 동피랑길 100 (태평동)

Dongpirang Mural Village somehow gave me a similar vibe to Jaman Mural Village in Jeonju because of the wall art painting and there's Omokdae Pavilion  where King Taejo, founder of Joseon Dynasty  stopped by there to celebrate his victory after defeating Japanese invanders.

  

Jaman Mural Village (자만벽화마을)

Omokdae (오목대) Pavilion