NORTH TEMPLE PAGODA

A first pagoda of eleven levels was erected during the Northern and Southern Dynasties (502-557). During the following centuries, it suffered numerous degradation and a nine-level pagoda was built by the Emperor Yuan Feng (1078-1085) of the Northern Song. The current building is in Ming style. The brick foundation dates from Song, the avant and wooden rails are from the period of the Qing. The last refurbishment dates back to the 1960 s.

From the top of the pagoda, we have an interesting view of Suzhou's future, including the surrounding countryside of bushes and fruit trees that left space for urban development.

In the east of the pagoda, the hall of the goddess of Piety, reconstruction dating back to 1612. Just behind the pagoda, a pavilion with a stele of the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368) in honour of Zhang Shicheng, a former Suzhou ruler. Bas-relief represents Zhang Shicheng in the centre who receives emissaries from the Imperial Court. In the western part of the temple is an exhibition room of antique instruments.