Sunday, 6 February 2022

[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~!