Gate to the East
The Gate to the East is the tallest building in Suzhou, Jiangsu, China and is intended to be a symbolic gateway to the city. At a height of 301.8 m (990 ft), the office building has been described as the largest gateway building in the world.
Built between 2004 and 2016, The Gate to the East was designed by British architectural practice RMJM, and cost US$700 million. The location was chosen to mark the intersection of the historic east-west axis of Suzhou Old Town and the west bank of Jinji Lake.
The two-columned tower rises above the lake and is adjoined by a towering arch. It sits directly above a major underground rail interchange which is fully integrated into the building.
Despite being praised for its acknowledgement of geographical and cultural context, it has received considerable media criticism, with some commentators referring to it as a climactic icon of 21st century ‘architecture of spectacle’. Others have derided it as resembling a giant pair of trousers, with locals calling it ‘humiliating’ and describing walking through its gaping arch as ‘like being forced to crawl between someone else’s legs’.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”