Qiandeng Ancient Town

Qiandeng Ancient Town is a historical and cultural water town featured for stone bridges over the river, slate streets and folk houses along the river bank, an ancient tower, a temple and former residences of celebrities. It has a history of about 2,500 years and is the hometown of famous Chinese scholar Gu Yanwu. It is also the birthplace of Kunqu, one of the oldest Chinese operas.

Qiandeng Ancient Town is located to the south of Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province which is 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the city center of Suzhou, the capital of Jiangsu Province.
 Walking into the ancient town, you can see three bridges over the river built together, representing the characteristics of the Ming (1368 - 1644 AD), Qing (1644 - 1911 AD) and Song (960 - 1279 AD) dynasties. On the west side of the river, there is a slate street with a total length of about 2,000 meters (2,200 yards) running through the ancient town. There are a lot of small shops on both sides of the slate street selling various things including crafts, special snacks and tourist souvenirs.
 The most famous historical remains of the Yanfu Buddhist Temple are Qinfeng Tower and the Buddha statue of Sakyamuni located in the Palace of Jade Buddha. Qinfeng Tower, also known as Sakyamuni Tower, is the landmark building of Qiandeng Ancient Town. The tower is a brick and wood building standing 38.7 meters (42.3 yards) high, with seven floors. It is slim and beautiful, like a lady, making it known as the “Beauty Tower ”.

The Buddha statue of Sakyamuni is a reclining jade Buddha from Burma. It is 8.9 meters (9.7 yards) long and 2.45 meters (2.68 yards) high. Its body is well-proportioned and the image is very vivid. The Buddha statue is inlaid with more than 1,500 rubies, sapphires, amethysts and jadeites. The clothing and lotus table are made of gold. Moreover, it is said that the Jade Buddha is the largest jade Buddha statue all over the world and is extremely precious.
 There are nearly a thousand different kinds of lights in the Lights Houses of Qiandeng which are from different dynasties and made of different materials. If you are interested in history and antiques, it is worth visiting.
 The Former Residence of Gu Yanwu is a folk house built in the Ming and Qing dynasties. It has five courtyards from front to back and the decoration inside is exquisite.
 Qiandeng Ancient Town is a place not only to have a visit but also to taste great snacks. The sesame sugar, green dumplings, rice cake, glutinous rice reed all come very recommended.
 Take the Kunshan bus line 112, 113, 250, 252, 253, 254 and get off at Qiandeng Station.
 Take a high speed train from Suzhou Railway Station or Suzhou North Railway Station to Kunshan South Railway Station, which takes 10-30 minutes. Then take Kunshan bus 111 to Kunshan South Bus Station and then change to Kunshan bus 112 or 113 to Qiandeng Station.

 Click to check  the real-time China Train Schedule.
 

Admission Fee	Free CNY 60 for attractions
Opening Time	The village is available all day around 8:00-17:00 for attractions

 Other Water Town in Kunshan:
Jinxi Town