Eleven kilometres southwest of Sūzhōu is Língyán Shān, the ‘Cliff of the Spirits’ that was once the site of a palace where Emperor Qianlong stayed during his inspection tours of the Yangzi River valley. The mountain is home to an active Buddhist monastery. The exhausting climb to the peak offers panoramic views of Sūzhōu. Tourist bus 4 goes to Língyán Shān from Sūzhōu’s train station.
On the way up the mountain, take the path on the left for an exciting clamber over rough-hewn stone and paths.
