Mudu Ancient Town
木渎古镇
An ancient town as old as Suzhou itself, where the Yan Family Garden, Hongyin Mountain House, and the Qianlong Imperial Road showcase Jiangnan gardens and market-town culture.
Mudu Ancient Town lies in Wuzhong District. According to legend, the name comes from the timber piled up and blocking the river when King Fuchai of Wu built the Guanwa Palace for his consort. The town's history is as old as Suzhou itself. Within it are the Yan Family Garden, Hongyin Mountain House (where Emperor Qianlong stayed during his southern tours), the Gusong Garden, and the residences of Bangyan (Number Two Scholar) officials. The Xiang Creek and Xu River meet here, and you can take a sculling boat along the waterways. Entry to the ancient town is free, and a combined garden ticket costs about 78 yuan. It is near Mudu Station on Metro Line 1, and Lingyan Mountain and Tianping Mountain are very close by.
Opening hours
08:00–17:00 (garden attractions)
Nearby sights
- Lingyan Mountain
- Tianping Mountain
- Suzhou Museum West
- Wangshan Eco-park
- Hanshan Temple
- Suzhou Amusement Land Forest World
- Shihu Lake & Shangfang Mountain
- Mount Qionglong