[2025 Suzhou Attraction] Travel Guide for Taibo Temple (Updated Jan)

Taibo Temple is located at No. 250, Xiatang Street, inside Changmen Gate, in the Taohuawu Historical Block. It was built to commemorate Taibo, the eldest son of Gugong Danfu (King Tai of Zhou), and its history can be traced back to the Eastern Han Dynasty. It is the first temple in Jiangnan to worship Taibo, the ancestor of the development of Wu. The existing Zhide Bridge, Zhide Archway, three main halls, and three east and west wing rooms are all Qing Dynasty buildings. In the 44th year of the Kangxi reign, when the Emperor Shengzu Ren (Kangxi) visited the south, he bestowed the four characters "Zhide Wuming" (Virtue without Name) on the Taibo Temple in Suzhou. In the 16th year of the Qianlong reign, when the Emperor Qianlong visited the south, he bestowed the four characters "Sanrang Gaozong" (Three Abdications) on the Taibo Temple in Suzhou. During his visits to the south, Qianlong sent ministers to worship at the Taibo Temple in Suzhou. This shows the status of the Taibo Temple in Suzhou. In 1982, Taibo Temple was listed as a cultural relic protection unit in Suzhou. Taibo Temple is open to the public for free and is closed on Mondays.

Gusu Taibo Temple, also known as Zhide Temple, is dedicated to Taibo, the ancestor of the Wu people, his younger brother Zhongyong, and Zhongyong's descendant Jizha. The east wing houses a genealogy of the Wu rulers from Taibo to Fuchai, while the west wing displays historical events such as Taibo's three abdications, his journey to Wu, his hair-cutting and tattooing, and the founding of Wu.

Tai Bo Temple is located at No. 250, Xia Tang Street, inside Chang Gate in Suzhou City, within the Taohuawu Historical District, and was built to commemorate the eldest son of King Tai (King Wen of Zhou), Tai Bo. Its history can be traced back to the Eastern Han Dynasty, and it is the first temple in the Jiangnan region dedicated to the worship of Tai Bo, the founding ancestor of the Wu region. The existing structures include the Zhide Bridge, Zhide Archway, the main hall with three rooms, and the east and west wings, each with three rooms, all of which are Qing Dynasty buildings. The temple contains stone steles with records of renovations during the Kangxi, Guangxu, and Republic of China periods. In the 44th year of Kangxi, Emperor Ren of the Holy Ancestors (Kangxi Emperor) bestowed upon Suzhou's Tai Bo Temple the four characters 'Zhi De Wu Ming' written by the Emperor himself during his southern tour. Subsequently, during Qianlong's southern tour in the 16th year of Qianlong, he personally wrote 'San Rang Gao Zong' at Suzhou's Tai Bo Temple, and Qianlong sent ministers to offer sacrifices at the Tai Bo Temple during his visits to the south of the Yangtze River. This shows the status of Suzhou's Tai Bo Temple. In 1982, Tai Bo Temple was listed as a Suzhou municipal cultural relics protection unit. Zhide Bridge, commonly known as Tai Bo Temple Bridge, is a beam bridge with stone piers, although the bridge deck has been modified. Across the bridge stands a four-pillar, three-bay stone archway with cloud scroll carvings at the ends of the pillars and the inscription 'Zhi De Fang' engraved on the horizontal plaque, written by Wu Yuanbing, the governor during the second year of Guangxu. Originally, there were also three archways named 'San Rang Wu Cheng', 'Gui Hua', and 'Kai Wu', as well as a stone bridge and a square pond, but they no longer exist. The main hall is three bays wide, 14 meters across, and 10 meters deep, with a hard mountain roof and a front shed. Inside the hall, there are stone carvings such as the 'Reconstruction of Zhide Temple Stele' from the 24th year of Kangxi and the 'Governor of Jiangnan Tang Gong Longevity Stele' from the 25th year. Each of the east and west wings has three rooms, with walls inlaid with carved stone portraits of Tai Bo and various ancestors, engraved in the second year of Guangxu. Due to the dilapidation of the temple buildings and the occupation of the ancient architecture as a vegetable market, Suzhou funded the relocation of the market in 2009, restored the ancient buildings, added a front hall, and thus rejuvenated this group of ancient buildings.

The Tabor Temple is not too far from the Wufeng Garden and is also in the Taohuawu Historic District. The significance of coming here is that you can find the past and present life of Suzhou. The predecessor of Suzhou was Wu Guo, then Wu was first established by Taibo, the eldest son of Zhou Taiwang. Taber established the origin of Wu State, which is a story of rare brothers and friends in history who did not live because of the succession of the throne. In short, Tabers relative, Zhou Taiwang, likes to be the youngest son of the third child, but at that time the eldest son succeeded to the throne. To be placed in the palace drama, Taber must have hated the third brother. But not, Taber not only gave up the throne himself, but also took the second brother to the place where Suzhou is located today to establish Wu. It is a pity that the third brother was later killed. When Wu Bo went home and mourned, he gave up the succession of the throne again. Wang was inherited by the third brother's son Jichang. Zhou Wen Wang Jichang is the captain of the "Feng Shen Bang" who was imprisoned by the king of the shackles. His son, Bo Yi Kao, was sent to save him. Taber is a really big brother who is truly selfless and dedication. He gave Zhou Guo to the third brother. He never married or had children in his life, and gave Wu Guo, who had worked so hard for decades, to his second brother. Therefore, the Taber Temple has always been a very important place in history, and Kangxi Qianlong has come to worship. Tab Temple is now doing a Suzhou City Photography Exhibition, enjoying modern photography in the quaint temples. When the red light is on, it is beautiful to take pictures in the yard. Address: No. 250, Xiatang Street, Tuen Mun, Suzhou