In the center of the famous Tiger Hill Park in Suzhou rises one of the most recognizable symbols of the city—the Cloud Rock Temple Pagoda. This ancient pagoda, also known as the Tiger Hill Pagoda (Huqiu Ta), is not just an architectural monument but a true emblem of the city, shrouded in legends and possessing a unique architectural feature—a noticeable tilt.
Appearance and Architecture
The pagoda is a majestic seven-story structure made of brick and wood, standing 47.7 meters tall. It is executed in a style characteristic of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (10th century).
• Form: A classic octagonal shape, symbolizing the eight directions of the compass in Buddhism. Each tier is separated from the next by a cornice made of brick but imitating traditional wooden construction with curved angles.
• Materials: The main building material is brick. Wooden beams, internal stairs, and flooring were added for strength and to provide access to the upper floors.
• Color: The pagoda has a noble color of dark red brick and gray stone, which over the centuries has blackened from time and Suzhou`s humid climate, giving it the appearance of an ancient, silent guardian.
Main Feature: The Pagoda`s Tilt
The most famous characteristic of the pagoda is its tilt. To date, the deviation of its top from the vertical is about 2.34 meters, making it more "leaning" than the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa (which has a deviation of about 4 meters but is almost twice as tall).
• Cause of the tilt: Unlike the Leaning Tower of Pisa, whose tilt is caused by soft ground, the cause of the Tiger Hill Pagoda`s tilt is complex.
• Foundation: Initially, the pagoda was built on an unstable hill consisting of partially loose soil.
• External influences: The main reasons were natural disasters. Over its thousand-year history, the pagoda has survived several strong earthquakes and fires. The most destructive fire during the Ming Dynasty (16th century) destroyed all the wooden parts of the temple complex surrounding the pagoda. The fire damaged the brickwork, making it more fragile.
• Groundwater and erosion: The constant washing away of soil by rain and groundwater led to subsidence and uneven settling of the foundation.
Despite its dangerous appearance, the pagoda has been stabilized, and its position is carefully monitored. Its stability is a testament to the supreme skill of ancient Chinese builders.
Construction History
The history of the pagoda is inextricably linked with the history of the entire hill.
• Foundation of the temple: The first temple on this site was founded back in the 6th century.
• Construction of the pagoda (961 AD): The current brick pagoda was built in 961 AD during the Later Zhou dynasty. It was part of a huge Buddhist monastery complex, the "Cloud Rock Temple," which burned down and was rebuilt repeatedly.
• Fate: Of the majestic temple complex, practically only the pagoda itself has survived to this day, making it an priceless architectural monument of that era.
Legends of Tiger Hill
The pagoda is a central element of the hill, with which several legends are associated:
Legend of the Swords of King Helü: This legend is directly related to the pagoda. It is said that the very tomb of King Helü is still located at the base of the hill, and buried with him are three thousand of his best swords. One of these swords, supposedly, was magical and possessed incredible sharpness. According to belief, the pagoda was built on this very spot for a reason—it serves as a giant "safe," locking and guarding the untold treasures and weapons hidden beneath it. This belief gave rise to another name for the pagoda—the "Pagoda-Treasury."
Legend explaining the tilt: There is also a folk explanation for the pagoda`s tilt. Supposedly, every time the hill settles or shifts (disturbed by people or nature), the underground treasures begin to emit energy that sways and tilts the tower, thus warning that the king`s peace has been disturbed.
Cultural Significance
The Cloud Rock Temple Pagoda is not only an architectural masterpiece but also a most important cultural symbol. It is the oldest pagoda in Suzhou and one of the oldest brick pagodas in China. Its image has become the unofficial emblem of the city of Suzhou. In 1961, it was included in the list of the First National Cultural Heritage Sites of China among the first and most important monuments of the country.
Today, the pagoda is closed for climbing inside to ensure its preservation. However, its majestic and somewhat mysterious appearance, enhanced by its centuries-old tilt, continues to attract thousands of tourists wishing to touch history and feel the breath of ancient legends.
