Tieling Pass, also called the Fengqiao Fortress, was originally built during the 36th year of the reign of the Jiajing emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1557 AD).

According to historical records, Japanese pirates began attacking the Changmen and Fengqiao area in 1554, and in 1555, extended their attacks from the Hushu Pass to Fengqiao but the soldiers and civilians of Suzhou fought back and eventually killed all the pirates.

During the Ming, to better protect Suzhou and the area from Fengqiao to Changmen, the people built the Fengqiao Fortress (Tieling Pass) and the Feng Gate and Mudu at about the same time, but neither of the latter two remains. Tieling Pass is Suzhou’s only remaining historical pass that was used in the struggle against Japanese pirates.

On the morning of April 27, 1949, the People’s Liberation Army fired the first shot at Fengqiao to signify the liberation of Suzhou. After defeating the enemy at Fengqiao and Tieling Pass, the army entered Suzhou city and announced its liberation. More recently, Tieling Pass, at Fengqiao, has become one of the major patriotic education bases and a provincial relics protection unit.