Mudu’s long history civilization, elegant gardens and well- known legends make it the most valuable place of interest for the people in modern times, who are eager to enjoy relaxation and luxury, developing their interests and appreciation. She, surrounded by quiet, delicate landscape and connected to the Taihu Lake through lots of waterways, wins a good reputation of superb grace and elegance. Two clear and charming rivers, Xiangxi River and Xujiang River, wind their ways through the peaceful and beautiful town. All the gardens in town were designed in a style that pursued elegance. The walls are white and tiles on the roofs are black in a fine contrast. Time has deprived the pavilions and halls of their bright colors. In addition, Qianlong, Emperor of Qing Dynasty had been to this beautiful town six times.
Mudu, a historic cultural town, is located at the foot of Linyan Hill in the west of Suzhou. Mudu is the only ancient town worth the reputation of Chinese garden town. The town was built beside the mountains and its people all live near the water, which is rarely seen in the ancient towns located to the south of Yangtze River.
During the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, more than thirty private gardens in the town were built, modified, and bought by scholars, retired government officials, business tycoons and others. Showing different personalities, these gardens, however, have something in common: exquisite workmanship, elegance and subtlety in design. When approach Mudu Town, visitors can’t help stepping into these private gardens with a history of hundreds of years and tasting the classical elegance and leisure.
History and Culture
There is a legendary story about its name, "Mudu", meaning "timbers blocking the river". It is said that during the Spring and Autumn Period, when King Wu was building the "Guanwa Palace" for his concubine .jpg)
Xishi (a famous beauty of that time), the huge amount of timbers floated there and blocked the river, giving the town the name of "Mudu".
Thanks to the nearby Taihu Lake and the Grand Canal, as well as a mild climate and fertile soil, Mudu is truly "a land of fish and rice." Moreover, Mudu has developed the most important part of the Wu Culture. In fact, the folk customs of Mudu Town are more typical and characteristic of the Jiangnan area as a result of its prosperous economy.
Mingyue Temple
Mingyue Temple located at the Shantang Street, was built in Qingtai 2 years (935) of the late Tang Dynasty, with a history of a thousand year. Li Guo of the Qing Dynasty composes verse like “pear flower effloresce in Mingyue temple, aroma grass were gave to the buffalo”, spread at that time. Repaired in 2000, the new temple had Deity fane, fane, Eremite’s house etc. and now Lection Cache was been built. Inside temple, flowers twigs bushiness, and it looks like a garden.
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. It was originally the residence of a rich man Cai Shaoyu of Mudu, in the late Qing Dynasty. This garden is compact in overall arrangement and well preserved to the date. The well-decorated brick-carving gate tower is vivid both in appearance and manner. The eight lutes inscribed on the square rafters of the garden have the auspicious meaning of the get-together of eight notes. Such a style has no comparison among the gardens and architectures in the south of the Yangtze River. Being the prior-period pieces of the Engraved Building of the Dongshan town, the Phoenix Tower presents exactly the same architecture and engraving art. The rear garden is featured as delicate, elegant, charming and gentle. Standing in the two-storeyed long corridor, people are able to enjoy the charming scenery of gardens and lively ancient pines; admiring the graceful view of the Linyan Hill in the distance. West side of the rear garden is the Chinese craft art master, the inheritor of Shen Shou---Yao Jianping’s Embroidery Showroom.
Hongyin Mountain VillaHongyin Mountain Villa is a famous private garden dating back to the reign of Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty, its beauty of stream, rockery, wind and moon, its charm of pond, pavilion, flower and tree surpassing the other gardens. Emperor Qianlong visited Hongyin Mountain Villa each time during his six south tours. Here he went ashore from the boat and started appreciating the garden and enjoying dramas. The escorted officials led by Liu Yong lodged at Hongyin Mountain Villa for twice, leaving many legends behind. Hongyin Mountain Villa consists of two Ming Dynasty gardens i.e. Xiuye Garden and Xiaoyin Garden. At the end of Qing Dynasty,Xiaoyin Garden became the residence of Embroidery Empress Shen Shou. Xiuye Garden now is the Imperial Edict Museum of Mudu.
Admission fee: RMB60/person
Opening hours: 8:00 am-16:30 pm