An Introduction

Mudu, a historic cultural town, is located at the foot of Linyan Hill in the west of Suzhou city. Surrounded by quiet, delicate landscape and connected to the Tai Lake through numerous waterways, it gains a reputation of superb tranquility and elegance. Two clear and charming rivers, Xiangxi River and Xujiang River, wind their ways through the peaceful town. History told us that Fucai, the Emperor of the ancient Wu State 2500 years ago, especially had his Guanwa Palace built here for his queen Xishi, one of the Four Beauties in the history of China. In addition, Qianlong, Emperor of Qing Dynasty had visited this beautiful town six times.

 

Mudu may be the only ancient town worth the reputation of Chinese Garden town. Its architectural style is unique from many ancient towns sitting south of the Yangzi River. She has more than 30 private gardens built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, including Yan Family Residence, Hongying Mountain Villa, Ancient Pine Garden and Bangyan Mansion, etc. All these gardens have been renovated and open to the public. Yan Family residence, used to be the residence of the former Taiwan Politician Mr. Jiagan Yan, is now one of the most renowned gardens in China with meticulously designed details. Hongyin Villa was once the temporary dwelling for Emperor Qianlong and it treasures up to 20 original imperial edicts of Qing Dynasty, which are especially rare.

No matter walking on the stone-paved streets along the ancient canals, or stepping into the private gardens, we are savoring the history and classical grace of Mudu Town with the relaxation and peace that we many times so much desire as tourists.

Mudu is rated as AAAA State-level Tourism Spot and Best Tourism Spot of China in 2006.

Some of the Highlights in Mudu Town

• Yan Family Garden

The Yan Family Garden was built in Ming Dynasty and was the former residence of Mr. Jiagan Yan of Taiwan, which occupies 2.6 acres of land. An ancient magnolia stands in the yard with extensive crown blotting out the sun. As the legend goes, the tree was planted by Qing Emperor Qianlong when he put up for the night at Yan Family Garden on his tours to the south of the Yangtze River. Built in Ming Dynasty, the Virtue Emphasizing Hall --the nanmu hall (nanmu is a very special kind of tree in China, superb as construction material), spacious and imposing, is rare in the region. The Four Seasons Gardens, with four uneven layouts, zigzags, ups-and-downs, exquisite and tasteful, deep and tranquil, graceful and restrained, demonstrated the builders’ high artistic skills. This garden has been rated by modern architects as a “classical piece of architecture work”.

• Hongying Mountain Villa

Hongying Mountain Villa is a private garden of Qing Dynasty. The beauty of streams, rocks, winds and moon, the charm from ponds, pavilions, flowers and trees, are unique among other gardens. Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty visited the Villa each time during his six tours in South Yangtze River area. Here he went ashore from the boat following the cannel and started enjoying the garden and theatre plays. The escorted officials led by Liu, Yong (famously wise but hunchbacked man in Chinese history) lodged at the Villa twice, leaving many legends behind. Hongying Mountain Villa consists of two Ming Dynasty gardens: Xiuye Garden and Xiaoyin Garden. At the end of Qing Dynasty, Xiaoyin Garden became the residence of “the Embroidery Queen of China”, Ms. Shou Shen. Xiuye Garden now is the location of the Imperial Edict Museum of Mudu.

• Ancient Pine Garden

The Ancient Pine Garden at Shantang Street is famous for a 500-year-old LuoHan pine of Ming Dynasty in the garden This garden is compact in overall arrangement and well preserved to the date. Standing in the two-storied long corridor, people are able to enjoy the charming scenery of gardens and lively ancient pines with the graceful view of the Linyan Hill in the distance. West side of the rear garden is right now the Embroidery Showroom for two masters in embroidery art- Ms. Shou Shen in the past and Ms.Jianping Yao of today.

• Bangyan’s Mansion

       Shown: Bangyan’s Mansion

Bangyan’s Mansion at Xiatang Street was the former residence of Feng, Guifen, a political critic and disciple of Lin, Zexu (the leader of Chinese forces during the Opium War). Mr. Feng was a “Bangyan”, the No. 2 candidate in the highest imperial examinations in 1840 in Qing Dynasty. Therefore, his residence is called “Bangyan’s Residence” or “Bangyan’s Mansion”. The residence with the structure of a house in the front and a garden in the rear, occupies a land of nearly 1.6 acres of land, a typical garden style of Qing Dynasty. The mansion has major characteristics in the three carvings (brick carving, wood carving and stone carving). The rear garden, with a pond in the center, and decorated by pavilion, balcony, corridor, bridge and yellow rocks dispersing around and strewing in high and low manner, presents a poetic and idyllic picture.

• Lingyan Mountain Scenic Area

Lingyan Mountain Scenery Area is located at the foot of the Lingyan Mountain which is always quoted for its “exceptionally beautiful scenaries in the South of Yangtze River". There are attractions like Gusu Platform of the King of the Wu State(2500 years ago), the residence of Bi Yuan (No.1 Scholar in the highest imperial examinations in Qing dynasty) named Lingyan Mountain Villa, and the Memorial Hall of the poet Zhang Yongfu of Qing Dynasty. All the buildings in the area are built acclimate to the surroundings. This mountain was one of the most scenic spots in the Wu Region. Climbing up the Lingyan Mountain, you can find relics of the Spring and the Autumn Period(2500 years ago), the Guanwa Palace, Xishi Cavity, Qintai. You can be a pious pilgrim in the most prestigious Buddhism temple-the Lingyan Mountain Temple in Southeast China.

Lingyan Mountain, presents the history of the Wu and Yue States of the Spring and the Autumn Period with its simple and unsophisticated natural landscape.

• Lingyan Peony Garden——Jointly owned with the Institute of Plant of Chinese Academy of Sciences, it contains the most species collected in south of Yangtze River region
• Mingyue Temple——One of the 481 temples of Nan Dynasty, and ancient monastery in latter Tang Dynasty.
• Yao Jianping Embroidery Art Museum——The museum of the works of Ms. Shou Shen the queen of Suzhou embroidery, and recent work from the embroidery artist Ms. Jianping Yao whose work has been shown to worldwide or as state gifts to foreign countries.
• Museum of Ming & Qing Dynasty of Ancient China ——Learn about the culture of Ming & Qing Dynasty from different views.
• The Amorous Street of Suzhou’s 12 Beauties——the beauties of ancient Wu State and the culture of Wu region.

Chinadreaminn.com has provided many tours for you to join a groupto thi s unique water town. Tours can start from Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou or Wuxi cities.  Check the web site Tours for details or contact us at info@chinadreaminn.com.