China Guide
Jiangsu and Zhejiang
Beisi Ta (North Temple Pagoda)
Opening time: Daily 7.45am–5pm
Price: ¥35
Address: Renmin Lu
The Beisi Ta (North Temple Pagoda) looms up unmistakeably. On the site of the residence of the mother of Wu Kingdom king Sun Quan, the Beisi Ta was first built in the third century AD, and rebuilt in 1582. The pagoda is, at 76m, the tallest Chinese pagoda south of the Yangzi, though it retains only nine of its original eleven storeys. Climbing it gives an excellent view over some of Suzhou's more conspicuous features – the Shuang Ta, the Xuanmiao Guan, and, in the far southwest corner, the Ruiguang Ta. There's also a very pleasant teahouse on site.