Mudu Ancient Town (木渎古镇), also known as Duchen, Xujian, is located in the southeast of Jiangsu Province, in the western part of the ancient city of Suzhou. Situated in the Taihu Lake basin, Mudu is a renowned scenic area in southern Jiangnan, often referred to as the “first town in Wuzhong” and the “beauty of Jiangnan.”
With a history spanning over 2500 years, Mudu Ancient Town is a Han Chinese water town that emerged contemporaneously with the city of Suzhou. Legend has it that during the late Spring and Autumn period, the states of Wu and Yue were in conflict, and after the defeat of the Yue state, King Goujian used the strategy of “beauty trap” by presenting the beautiful woman Xi Shi to King Fuchai of Wu. King Fuchai was enamored with Xi Shi and built the Guanwa Palace for her on the picturesque Lingyan Mountain, and also added the Gusu Platform to Purple Stone Mountain, a construction effort that took three years to gather materials and five years to complete. The constant flow of wood used in the construction blocked the river port below the mountain, giving rise to the name “Mudu” which translates to “wood blocking the port.”
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Map of Mudu Ancient Town
- Highlights of Mudu Ancient Town
- Vlog about Mudu Ancient Town
- A Brief History of Mudu Ancient Town
- Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
- Other Ancient Towns in Suzhou
Basic Information
| Website | http://www.mudu.com.cn/ |
| Estimated Length of Tour | Half a day |
| Ticket Price | The town itself is free. The combined ticket for all the attractions in the town costs 78 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.30 – 17.00; Last admission: 16.30 (1st April – 31st October) 8.30 -16.30; Last admission: 16.00 (1st November – 31st March the next year) |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0512-66561218 |
Location and Transportation
Mudu Ancient Town, one of Suzhou’s cherished gems, is nestled within the city’s broader urban area. Specifically, it lies about 12 kilometers west of Suzhou’s city center, making it easily accessible for both local residents and tourists alike. To get there, you can choose the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 2, 64, 65, 312, 326, 505, 506, 508, 511, 512, 621, 663, 691, 692, Tourist line 1, or Tourist Line 2, get off at Family Yan’s Garden in Mudu Ancient Town Stop (木渎古镇严家花园), and you will be standing at the north edge of the town.
Metro: The nearest metro station to Mudu Ancient Town is Lingyan Mountain (灵岩山) on line 5. After getting out of the station from Exit 1, you will be standing at the southwestern corner of the town.
Map of Mudu Ancient Town
Highlights of Mudu Ancient Town
Yan Family Garden
Yan Family Garden, situated in the north of Wangjia Bridge in Shantang Street, was initially the residence of Shen Deqian, a prominent figure in Suzhou during the Qing Dynasty. In 1828, the descendants of Shen Deqian handed over the property to Mudu poet Qian Duanxi. Over the course of more than two hundred years and three generations, the garden underwent various renovations and was eventually named “Xianyuan” by Mudu’s first wealthy resident, Yan Guoxin. The locals affectionately refer to it as “Yan Family Garden,” attributing a cultural and prestigious atmosphere to it.
Natural Scenery
Lingyan Mountain
Situated in the northwest of Mudu Ancient Town, Lingyan Mountain stands at 182 meters high, covering an area of 124 hectares. The mountain is known for its unique rocks, with Lingzhi Stone being the most prominent, giving the mountain its name. Due to its appearance resembling a giant elephant lying on the ground when viewed from a distance, it is also known as Elephant Mountain.
Tianping Mountain
Located in the ancient northwest of Mudu Ancient Town, Tianping Mountain has an elevation of 201 meters and covers nearly one hundred hectares. Its name, meaning “flat sky mountain,” is derived from the flat summit. Additionally, it is known as Fanfen Mountain because the ancestor of Fan Zhongyan is buried at the foot of the mountain. Suzhou Tianping Mountain, along with Beijing Fragrant Hills, Hunan Yue Lu Mountain, and Nanjing Qixia Mountain, is renowned as one of China’s four major maple leaf viewing spots.
Hongyin Mountain Villa (Hongyin Shanfan)
Located 200 meters east of Yan Family Garden, Hongyin Mountain Villa is a famous Qing Dynasty garden in the suburbs of Suzhou. Because it faces Xiangxi, with Lingyan as its backdrop, the scenery surpasses that of other gardens. Emperor Qianlong, during his visits to Mudu, would make it a point to visit Hongyin Mountain Villa, where he enjoyed strolling through the garden, watching performances, tasting tea, and composing poetry. It was often called the “private palace” of Emperor Qianlong by the locals.
Crafts and Souvenirs
Mudu is a hub for traditional Han Chinese handicrafts. Renowned artists like Yuan Yuchang in clay sculpture, Zhu Bishan in silverware, Lu Zigang in jade carving, and Shen Shou in embroidery have produced nationally recognized masterpieces. Today, local crafts include silk products, double-sided embroidery, mahogany carvings, clear clay inkstones, calligraphy and painting, stone carvings, and more, all available for purchase as souvenirs.
Ancient Pine Garden (Gusong Yuan)
Built by the wealthy businessman Cai Shaoyu at the end of the Qing Dynasty, Ancient Pine Garden is a classic example of a Qing-style residence and garden. Cai Shaoyu, known as one of the “Four Wealthy Men of Mudu” alongside Yan Guoxin, Zheng Lingjiu, and Xu Fenglou, constructed a layout featuring a front residence and a rear garden. The buildings in the estate are elegantly simple, with intricate carvings and artistic value. The garden is particularly famous for its ancient pine tree from the Ming Dynasty, known as the Luohan Pine, earning it the name “Ancient Pine Garden”.
Vlog about Mudu Ancient Town
A Brief History of Mudu Ancient Town
Mudu Ancient Town, located in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, has a history that dates back over 2,000 years. It was established as part of Wu County during the Qin Dynasty in 221 BCE. During the Wang Mang Xin Dynasty, Mudu was part of Taide County, and it remained under Wu County’s administration thereafter.
In the Northern Song Dynasty, Mudu developed into a bustling town. The famous Hongqiao Bridge, a landmark of the town, was built during the Song Dynasty. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Mudu was one of the six towns of Wu County. The Yongan Bridge was completed in 1497, enhancing the town’s infrastructure. In the Qing Dynasty, the region was part of the Chángshòu township.
In 1912, following the establishment of the Republic of China, Mudu and Jinshan were integrated into Wu County. In 1949, Mudu became the seat of the Mudu District People’s Government. The town saw a major renovation of its historical sites, including the iconic Shan Tang Ancient Street in 1999. Today, Mudu Ancient Town is known for its cultural heritage, ancient bridges, and traditional architecture, making it a popular historical and tourist destination.
Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
Peaceful and Leisurely Atmosphere: Compared to popular streets like Pingjiang Road and Shantang Street, Mudu Ancient Town has fewer visitors, offering a serene and slow-paced environment. Embrace the tranquility and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.
Price Variations Based on Location: Be mindful of pricing differences among stores of the same brand within the ancient town. Similar products may be priced 20%-40% higher in shops closer to the entrance compared to those deeper into the town. Consider exploring the town before making purchases to find better deals.
Explore Different Parts of the Ancient Town: Venture beyond the entrance and explore the deeper parts of Mudu Ancient Town. You may find less crowded areas and discover unique shops and attractions away from the main entrance.
Attend Immersive Night Theater: Don’t miss the immersive theater experience titled “Encounter Suzhou: Memories of Mudu (Night Show).” Reviews suggest that the night performances provide a better and more enjoyable experience compared to daytime shows. Consider attending this captivating theatrical production for a unique cultural experience.
In Mudu Ancient Town, many plum blossoms have already withered, but the camellias are still blooming quite well, and the magnolias will need a bit more time. However, the lights turn off too early in the evening, leaving it completely dark.
The weather was not great; it rained persistently.
The Suzhou gardens, which are beautiful even in the rain, were unfortunately overcrowded, and the lighting was poor, making photography difficult.
I spent the afternoon sipping tea and listening to the sound of the rain.
In the evening, I went to “Ershibali” (二十八里) for dinner. The dishes and the ambiance were quite nice and had a distinctive character.
It’s not as bustling as Pingjiang Road and Qili Shantang, but the area is not deserted; it has a lively atmosphere with fewer tourists.
In the morning, we took a tricycle in Mudu Ancient Town which brought us to various attractions and gave us some commentary. It cost a total of 40 yuan, and I ended up giving 50 yuan. Personally, I feel it’s unnecessary to take this kind of vehicle; walking around is quite enjoyable. They charged 20 yuan for each photo, with a minimum purchase of five, and it would be an additional 5 yuan for lamination, but the photos were average.… Read more »
Mudu Ancient Town is located quite close to downtown Suzhou and can be reached via Metro Line 1. There is no entrance fee for the town itself, but some smaller attractions do require a ticket. Personally, I think the smaller attractions in Mudu are definitely worth visiting, as each garden has its own unique charm. There’s the 500-year-old Araucaria tree, the residence where Emperor Qianlong docked six times during his trips to the south, the home of Lin Zexu’s disciple,… Read more »
The commercialization is indeed quite serious here. There are three attractions that require an entrance fee, while shopping does not require a ticket. The three attractions are the gardens of three families, and the scenery is decent, although there are many people taking photos. Visiting in the summer can be quite hot. It’s nice if you’re looking to experience some culture, but if you’ve been to other gardens, the scenery here may not seem as impressive.
We had a vegetarian buffet at 福居德 (Fu Ju De) for lunch. Since we arrived quite late, the owner was very kind and informed us that there weren’t many options available. However, he offered us a discount of 10 yuan per person. Despite the limited selection, there was certainly enough food for us to feel satisfied.
This place is not very big, just a street, you can visit four paid attractions in one afternoon. The size of the tourism area can’t be called an ancient town, it’s too small. Visitors who want to experience the atmosphere of a Jiangnan ancient town will definitely be disappointed.
However, it is full of life, with many residents living here.
On a leisurely afternoon, I decided to take a bike ride and ended up at Mudu Ancient Town. The town is beautifully landscaped with lush trees and flowing streams, embodying the charm of a typical Jiangnan water town. There were only a few tourists around, and many shops along the main street were closed. Only a few stores offering antique costume photos and sesame cakes were open. Surprisingly, the store that used to sell my favorite stinky tofu was closed.… Read more »
Mudu is not considered part of downtown Suzhou. Some areas are still underdeveloped, with the lively places being just okay, and the deserted places truly deserted. However, the Suzhou noodles at the traditional Suzhou style noodle shop in the ancient town are quite tasty, but overall not as good as the ones on Pingjiang Road. The parking lot is very small and full, so we parked in the guesthouse parking space.