Panmen Gate


Panmen Gate stands at the southwestern corner of the ancient city of Suzhou and can be accessed by taking Bus No. 7. With a history of 2,500 years, this city gate is the most completely preserved part of the ruins of the ancient city of Suzhou. Stepping onto the top of the gate, you can see the Wumen Gate Bridge and the Auspicious Light Pagoda. Together, they are popularly known as the Three Scenes at Panmen Gate.

Brief Introduction

Panmen Gate (Pan Men, or Panmen) is a historical landmark in Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. It is located on the south-west corner of the Main Canal or encircling canal of Suzhou. Panmen Gate is China's existing only water and land parallel gate, is one of the signs of the ancient city of Suzhou. It is now part of the Panmen Gate Scenic Area. It is known for the "three landmarks of Pan Gate". They are the Ruiguang Pagoda, the earliest pagoda in Suzhou built in 247, the Wu Gate Bridge, the entrance to the gate at that time over the water passage and the highest bridge in Suzhou at the time, and Panmen Gate. The Ruigang Pagoda is constructed of brick with wooden platforms and has simple Buddhist carvings at its base. On the top of the gate, you can see the three landmarks.History of Panmen Gate 

It was first built in B.C.514 as one of eight city gates in the Spring & Autumn Period (770-476 BC) when Suzhou was the capital of the Wu Kingdom, that surrounded and protected Suzhou, historians estimate it to be around 2,500 years old.Pan Gate is part of the ancient city wall built in 514 BC that surrounded and protected Suzhou. Panmen Gate was the only entrance to the wall that surrounded ancient Suzhou. The architecture of the wall is truly amazing. The present gate was reconstructed in 1351, and consists of Water and Land Gates, Panmen Gate is a fortress suitable for ancient water-towns like Suzhou in the southern part of China. It is also known in China for its architecture complex of both land and water city gates. Therefore it is also often called the "Land and Water Gate". 

How to get

Bus routes:
Route 1: take Bus No. 70 East, 70 West to "Pan gate" station.
Route 2: take Bus No.39, 47 , 305 , 935, 949, travel line2, 5 northbound line, 5 south line to "Pan Gate Scenic Area North Station

Information

Opening Time: 7:30am-5:00pm
Admission Fee: CYN 40
Address:  No. 49 Main Street, Suzhou

Client’s Reviews

  • annikaii

    Reviewed 25thMarch2019

    The gate leads to a rather large park/garden area with historic buildings, Ruiguang pagoda, bridges... This place is less crowded and more easy-going than some other popular tourist spots in Suzhou. In fact, this was one of the highlights during my first trip to Suzhou....More

  • TaliL

    Reviewed 25thNovember2018

    After several days in Suzhou we visited this site and what a surprise! Very beautiful place, lots to see, impressive park with various pagodas and small buildings. A restoration of the ancient wall which encircled the city and was the water gate and land gate....More

  • TAMAN1951

    Reviewed 4thNovember2018

    Quite historic and a fairly decent restoration. You have to go in and walk around if you want to appreciate the significance of this fortification. You won’t be disappointed. Part of the other grounds in the surrounding gardens are also quite nice. If in the...More

  • Aleph_999

    Reviewed 13thOctober2018

    It is not the best part of Suzhou but it has been quite restored and the surrounding are is very nice and enjoyable. So if you have some free time please go to this place to see both the historic place and how lively is...More

  • PushExplore

    Reviewed 12thAugust2018

    We had crossed the famous Panmen Gate once we were driving around the city. Its a sight you cannot miss, but not a lot you can do while being driven around.

  • David G

    Reviewed 10thApril2018

    Pan Men is part of the ancient city wall and was the river gate to the city. It has been tastefully restored can be visited free of charge (outside) you can walk along the old city wall, see the canal and sometimes there are people...More

  • bobcD6871YK

    Reviewed 4thDecember2017

    I spend an hour or so there this afternoon strolling through the gardens absorbing the historical feelings of the place. Seeing the pagoda, the land and sea gates on a nice day is very enjoyable

  • Anthony F

    Reviewed 20thNovember2017

    After visiting the Tongli Water Village we went to Suzhou for a very nice lunch and to see the last remaining piece of the city wall the only gate that is left and the moot defence system . There is lots to see in this...More

  • Ron B

    Reviewed 16thNovember2017

    The Pan Men gate area of Suzhou is outstanding. Even if you can't get enough of the traditional gardens of this town, you should make a visit here part of your exploration. Access is relatively easy - get off at Nanmen station on the blue...More

  • Romhulio

    Reviewed 18thOctober2017

    Big park with a lot of green space, small water falls, ancient walls and stone caves Suitable for families with small kids Not a lot places to eat in, so if you really hungry bring food with you have some gift shops

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