This national AAAA tourism site is located in the northwest of old Yushan town in Kunshan city, Jiangsu province, and is a short distance away from the motorway network connecting the site to Shanghai, Nanjing and Suzhou. Tinglin Garden dates back over 100 years - as it was established in 1906, at the end of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). However, Ma'an hill, an important part of the garden –dates back 1,500 years, as records show temple building activity during the Liang Dynasty (AD 502-557 ).

Tinglin Garden covers a total area of 700 acres and Ma'an Hill reaches a height of 80.8 meters. The garden features beautiful scenery and historical relics. The Ma’an Hill got its name due toits saddle shape which was formed by a long and complicated geographic transformation that began during the Neolithic age.

It is said that the looks as if it were painstakingly carved by the spiritual powers of nature as every rock and tree has its own unique appearance. Since Tinglin Garden was re-opened to the public, many new facilities have been established to attract more visitors, for example the national defense education base, amusement park and zoo, and the Qiong flower festival has been held at the garden annually since 2001.

The main tourism attractions include: Kun stone hall, Gu Yanwu memorial hall, Kunqu Opera Museum, Jade Peak three treasures (Kun stone, Qiong flower and joint-root Lotus), Yufeng ancient cultural relics, West hill Sceneries, Literary Pen peak, Jade palaces and halls, and the Wall of nine dragons.

The Kunqu Opera Museum opened in 2003. Kunqu opera originated in Kunshan during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), and many other types of Chinese operas are associated with Kunqu opera, which is known as the "progenitor of all operas".

Gu Yanwu Memorial Hall: Gu Yanwu (1613–1682), was a patriotic thinker in Kunshan who devoted all his life to the study of social systems, history, geography and linguistics. He left more than 500 volumes of work and is also known for saying that "everyone is responsible for the country's fate."

Stone Museum showcases precious and pieces of stone art.

According to legend, the rare Qiong flower originated from a piece of jade which an immortal brought down to earth. Emperor Yang Di of the Sui Dynasty (AD 581-618) was said to be fascinated by this flower.

Joint-root Lotus: also called the "thousand buds flower", is a rare ornamental plant. This slim sized plant was a precious type in ancient India, the flower buds ranging from two to thirteen, whilst the "double budded and jointed root" ones are the best.

Rating: AAAA

Add: No 1, Ma'anshan east road, Kunshan

Tel: 0512-57510070, 57510923