#Sword Gate Scenic Area Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)
Mountains
Historical Architectures
Address:
Yushan Middle Rd, Changshu Shi, Suzhou Shi, Jiangsu Sheng, China
Opening times:
Open today at 8:00-16:00Opening Soon
Recommended sightseeing time:
1-2 hour
Phone:
0512-52225000
The Fushui Twin Bridges in the Yu Mountain Jianmen Scenic Area of Changshu
One of the 'Eighteen Scenic Spots of Yu Mountain', the famous 'Fushui Qingyan' is a spot many people do not know where to appreciate as the 'best viewing point'. The photos used online now are taken from below, looking up at a waterfall that resembles the Threefold Spring, but in fact, this is just the flow of Fushui Stream, not the spectacle of 'Fushui Qingyan'.
Outside the gate of Canghai Temple, on a huge rock, there are two ancient stone bridges. The single-arched one is called 'Xianghua Bridge', with extremely exquisite bridge inscriptions and carvings. The one lying flat above the Fushui Stream on the outside is called 'Changshou Bridge'. The older generation in Changshu all know that this bridge is very efficacious; children are taken to walk on the bridge every year to ward off illness and disaster. Together, they are known as the 'Fushui Twin Bridges'.
The 'Changshou Bridge' is the 'best viewing point' for 'Fushui Qingyan'. When the rainy season arrives, the Fushui Stream is abundant with water, which cascades down the mountain majestically. In the Jianmen Scenic Area, the strange rocks are stacked, and the water flows rapidly, striking the rocks on both sides, forming water vapor that rises and drifts upward. Even on clear days, the giant rocks of Jianmen are as wet as if they have been rained on, glistening and reflecting the sunlight.
This is the famous 'Fushui Qingyan', but unfortunately, the stream is now overgrown with miscellaneous trees and weeds, making it very difficult to witness the spectacle of the past.
3th@n C@rt3r
The Sword Gate of Yu Mountain in Changshu offers the best view overlooking Shang Lake
Changshu Yu Mountain Park is definitely worth a visit, with attractions like Bao Yan, the City Wall, and Sword Gate scenic areas. The most comfortable part is that you can take a bus to Yanzi Tomb to get there, which is really great! You can go up the mountain without any effort!
The Sword Gate scenic area is the highest point, and from there, looking down, you can clearly see Shang Lake and the Fushui Dyke in the middle. Of course, besides overlooking Shang Lake, there are also many ancient relics here, including the Canghai Temple, with a couplet written by Yu Youren at the temple gate.
JERRY ARNOLD
One-day tour of Changshu Yushan
Suzhou Changshu, the two most lingering attractions are Yushan and Shanghu Scenic Area. This time I went to Changshu for a trial sleep, thinking about climbing the Yushan near the hotel.
Our route: Xingfu Temple—Guixiang Garden—Jianmen Scenic Area—Jiandao Downhill—Baoyan Scenic Area—Yushan City Wall—Xingfu Temple,
First stop: Xingfu Temple
Depart from the hotel at 8:40 in the morning, and arrive at the parking lot near Xingfu Temple at about nine o'clock. It happens to be the first day of the lunar month. The incense of Xingfu Temple is very prosperous. The road in front of the mountain gate is blocked, and cars are lined up. I was worried that the car would not be able to get out later, so I turned around and parked in the outside parking lot. Considering that I had to drive back, I didn’t go into Xingfu Temple first, and went straight to Jianmen Scenic Area.
Second stop: Guixiang Garden
After passing Xingfu Temple, you will see high stone steps. This is the official mountain climbing. The steps are high and irregular. Stop and go, walk for about twenty minutes on the stone road, and arrive at Guixiang Garden. It is said that there are thousands of osmanthus trees in Guixiang Garden, but because there is no sign, non-plant lovers can only watch the excitement. If you come here when the osmanthus blooms in late autumn, you can look forward to the full garden of osmanthus fragrance!
Third stop: Jianmen Scenic Area
If you don't plan to climb the mountain, you can also choose the cable car easy mode to reach Jianmen Scenic Area directly. Jianmen Scenic Area is the highest point of the entire Yushan, where you can overlook the entire Shanghu. Of course we walked up on foot, it's actually not far, about half an hour to reach the gate of the scenic spot. I originally thought about going around the scenic spot clockwise and going out from the entrance, but when we got to Jiandao, looking at the rugged path ahead, while hesitating, we met a local teacher from Changshu passing by us. He walked and suggested that we go down the mountain from Jiandao. The scenery along the way is beautiful. We can follow him. The road that just entered Jiandao is not easy to walk, but the teacher said that the road is not long. Sure enough, after this road, it is a good road. There are many forks along the way. The teacher led us while explaining the attractions along the way. He said that he would be our free guide today, haha. Knowing that we are going to Yushan City Wall, the teacher took us to the bus station and let us get off at Yushan Park. He said that it is not so tired to go up the city wall here.
Fourth stop: Yushan City Wall
Yushan City Wall is a green brick ancient city wall built along the mountain, known as the "Little Great Wall of Jiangnan". After entering Yushan Park, we walked along the city wall plank road, entered from Yushanmen City Tower, and walked towards Zhenhaitai. Finally, we went out from Zhenhaitai City Tower. The Yushan in late autumn is colorful and very beautiful. I took many photos along the way.
Fifth stop: Xingfu Temple
Changshu Xingfu Temple is a garden-style temple with the layout of Jiangnan Garden. It is both a temple and a garden. Turn left at the gate to offer incense. It may be that the temple is doing ceremonies on the first day of the lunar month. Hundreds of monks heard zhou language in the Daxiong Treasure Hall, which was indeed a bit shocking. The entire temple is not big, there are Wealth God Temple, Wenshu Hall, Yuantong Hall, Heavenly King Hall, Dragon King Hall, Pagoda Courtyard, etc. It takes about an hour to go around, and there is a large area of tea houses and noodle houses near Xingfu Temple. Changshu's special mushroom oil noodles must come for a bowl.