Panmen is a remarkable piece of ancient urban infrastructure: the only surviving gate in China that combined both a land gate and a water gate in a single structure, allowing simultaneous control of road and canal traffic entering the city. The current structure dates from the Yuan dynasty in the 14th century but preserves a design concept that goes back to the founding of the city in the 6th century BC. The gate towers and walls are largely intact and walkable.
The scenic area surrounding the gate includes the Ruiguang Pagoda, a seven-storey brick tower from the 3rd century, and a small stretch of the original city moat. The combination of surviving walls, pagoda, and waterway makes Panmen the best single site in Suzhou for understanding the city's ancient layout. Come early in the morning when the light is good and the canal reflects the pagoda cleanly. The site is outside the main tourist circuit and relatively peaceful.