Suzhou (2) - Hanshan Temple

We visited The Hanshan temple (寒山寺) in the afternoon of 22/05. The ancient temple has a long history of more than 1500 years. It was named after Han Shan, a monk who lived here in the Tang dynasty. It is a popular tourist destinations in Suzhou especially during the eve of new year when the bell is rung for 108 times. It is a believe by buddhist that average people like us has 108 types of worries. When the bell is rung for 108 times, it clears these worries and increase the wisdom. The people believe that this will bring them a better luck and the courage to face the new year ahead.

The entry ticket was RMB 20 and our tour took us about an hour and the half. There is a stone wall painted in yellow with the stricking 3 large chinese chars 寒山寺 at the facade of the temple.

Stone Wall

In 1995, a five-storey Buddhism named Puming Pagoda was built. The Puming Pagoda is high as 42 meters (about 138 feet) high and it is the symbolic building of the temple.

Puming Pagoda

A view from the Puming Pagoda.

Alongside the temple lies the old Grand Canal

The view at the ancient bridge arched like a half moon

We walked to the nearby Bell Tower which houses the new big bell. The bell is 108 tonne in weight, 8.5 meter tall with the widest diameter 5.2 meter.

Bell Tower

The new big Bell - Could not fit the entire bell in the photo

The Puming Pagoda, view taken from the Bell Tower

Poem Stele

The pretty new Poem Stele, erected here since 30th June 2007, was visible within the garden compound of the Bell Tower. The facade of the Poem Stele is engraved with Zhang Ji's (Tang Dynasty) poem "To Moor at Night at the Maple Bridge" (楓橋夜泊).