North Temple Pagoda [Suzhou]

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North Temple Pagoda is one of Suzhou's less restored and therefore more authentic, temple attractions. Built in the 3rd century, and rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty, North Temple Pagoda (Beisi Ta) towers over modern Suzhou and is a great place to get a fantastic view of the city. The temple is said to be the tallest pagoda south of the Yangtze River.

North Temple Pagoda is less popular with Chinese tourists and should not be as crowded as other Suzhou sights. If you have a few extra days to spend in Suzhou, it is nice to spend an afternoon visiting this ancient pagoda. You can also enjoy a cup of Biluochun tea (a famous regional tea) at the teahouse on the premises.
Open: 8am to 5:30pm daily.

How to get there: The Pagoda is very close to Suzhou Railway Station off Xibei Jie in the north of the city.
Cost: Tickets are RMB10 (for the grounds) and RMB5 to climb the pagoda itself

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This pagoda can be seen as a landmark all over Suzhou. Make it a nice backdrop for a picture. However did not get to go inside and curious what it is like inside. Have to save it for another a trip. But it has a nice exterior. You may have heard this before that many of Chinese temple art were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. So slowly more furniture or work of arts are being reintroduced to fill the halls of China many beautiful temles and pagodas.

Anonymous    Review at: 2008-03-06    Source: Luopan

The pagoda is one of the first things you see when driving down into the main town from the train station. It towers over the main part of the city looking remarkable. It was firt built in the third century AD, and rebuilt in 1582. Eventhough the Pagoda only retains nine out of its original eleven storeys it still stands at 76m! Of course climbing it would give you a perfect view of the whole of Suzhou, but 'unfortunately' we arrived there too late...oh what a pity! I'll have to go back again one day to climb the NINE storeys!!! I dont think so!!!!! Luckily my mum was with me so I can use her as an excuse for not doing it....'you know, I didn't want to leave her there at the bottom waiting for me all alone...'! It's open from 8am-5pm and costs a mere 15yuan to get in.

Anonymous    Review at: 2008-03-06    Source: Luopan