Mudu, an ancient landscape water town south of the Yangtze River, is located to the southwest of the Suzhou City. Surrounded by groups of hills and next to Taihu Lake, Mudu has beautiful natural scenery and abundant natural resources. It now covers about 34.5 square kilometers (about 13.32 square miles).With a history more than 2,500 years long, Mudu has witnessed the rise and fall of many dynasties and it is also endowed with plentiful cultural connotations. Mudu is a traditional town and has typical landscape gardens, small rivers and bridges. Unlike the prosperous eastern cities in China, Mudu displays a simple, peaceful image.
History
The name 'Mudu' is derived from a story about Xishi, one of the Four Beauties in Chinese history. It is said in the Spring and Autumn Period (773BC-476BC), Fuchai, the king of Wu, obliged workers to build a Guanwa Palace in order to please the Beauty Xishi. Then, considerable wood was carried here so that the river in this area was blocked. This was called 'jimusedu' (which means the accumulated wood blocks the river). So, the town was named 'Mudu'. Early in the Three Kingdom Period (220-280), Mudu had been a crucial town in China both economically and militarily. During the coming Song（960-1279）, Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) periods, it still held an important position in Chinese culture and commerce. In the past thousands of years, Mudu has produced many outstanding scholars and wealthy businessmen. Some of their former residences have now become popular sights.
Yan’s Garden
Also named Xian Yuan, it was originally the residence of the famous scholar Shen Deqian in Suzhou during the reign of Emperor Qianlong in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Following this, it was rebuilt several times. With acreage of 16 mu (about 2.64 acres) and lots of well-designed chambers and pavilions, this garden has become the leading landscape garden in Suzhou. The most unusual part in it is the Shangxian Hall (Wisdom-respected Hall) which is a nanmu-framed hall built in the architectural style of the Ming Dynasty. The hall is simple but elegant in design and betrays a dignified look by its large finely-made nanmu pillars. The elaborate carvings on these pillars are decorated in plain colors but are very attractive in appearance. In this garden there are several southern magnolias which it is said were planted by the Emperor Qianlong. Nowadays, they have become lofty trees. Every spring when the flowers are in full bloom, the whole garden is enveloped in their fragrance.
Hongyinshanfang
Some 200 meters (about 219 yards) to the east of Yan’s Garden, there is the Hongyinshanfang. This was the private landscape garden of a scholar named Xu Shiyuan who lived during the Qing Dynasty. It is made up of two small gardens of Ming Dynasty--Xiaoyin Garden (Privacy Garden) and Xiuye Garden (Beautiful Field Garden).In contrast with other gardens in Suzhou, the Hongyinshanfang Garden combines the characteristics of a delicate southern landscape and a grand northern royal garden. In the eastern part of the Xiaoyin Garden, old trees, remarkable rocks and bamboo shows people a charming but peaceful natural scenery. In the western part of the Xiuye Garden, which is now a museum, 20 Decrees of the Emperors and the papers of imperial examinations in Qing Dynasty are exhibited. During the Qing Dynasty, the Emperor Qianlong visited the gardens to listen to opera every time when he traveled south of the Yangtze River. Now, many relics of this emperor, such as a tablet carved with a poem written by him remain in the garden.
Bangyan Mansion
In Xiatang Street, lies another garden called Bangyan Mansion ('bangyan' means the person who wins second place in the imperial exam). In this garden, there is a carving on the rock wall which shows the prosperous image of Suzhou. This carving is made up of 8 rocks; each of them is 1.2 meters (about 4 feet) high. Most of the sceneries on these carvings are about the fair, streets and people of Mudu. In the back yard, there is a beautiful lake in the center. Around the lake are sprinkled pavilions, chambers, corridors and artificial hills which are like the decorations. Among those buildings stand many vigorous green trees. All in this entire garden has a poetic feeling.
Lingyan Mountain
The Lingyan Mountain (Spirit Rock Mountain) is situated in the suburban area of Mudu. With a height of 182 meters (about 597 feet), this mountain covers about 124 hectares (about 306 acres). Because it looks like an elephant in the distance, it is named Xiang Mountain (Elephant Mountain). It is also called Yan Mountain (Inkstone Mountain) for many stones in the mountain could be made into inkstones. The small path up to the top of the peak is constructed with rocks. Along the path, there are over 18 different scenes such as an elaborate pavilion, old pine trees, ancient temple, or a spectacular sunset. Remarkable rocks with special shapes like an old man, a turtle or other animals are situated here and there on the mountain. On the top of the Lingyan Mountain is the majestic Lingyan Temple. Built in 503, this temple was originally named Xinfeng Temple. The large vivid and life-like josses make this temple much more magnificent. In the eastern part of the temple, there is the Lingyan Pagoda, also named the Duobao Pagoda which was also built in 503. With a height of about 34 meters (about 112 feet), this simple but dignified seven-storied pagoda has become the symbol of Lingyan Mountain.
Tianping Mountain
Three kilometers (about 1.9 miles) away from Mudu town is the Tianping Mountain (Flat Peak Mountain). This mountain is of a height of 201 meters (about 659 feet) and covers about 100 hectares (about 247 acres). It is a mountain with a charming natural beauty. Among its beautiful natural scenery, there are three marvels: remarkable rocks, natural springs and old maples. In the mountain, spectacular rocks which look like parrots, dragons, camels or other animals stand everywhere. Another marvel is the Baiyun Spring (White Cloud Spring). Its headstream is in the hillside. The pure cool water in this spring keeps running all year round and has never dried up. As a popular resort for maple scenery, the Tianping Mountain, which has over 160 maple trees planted during the period 1573-1619, takes on a totally different appearance during the autumn. The mountain in this season appears very colorful. The dense leaves of the maple trees, some of which stand over 30 meters high (about 98 feet), turn yellow and then red. From the peak of this mountain, visitors would have a panoramic view of the fields, woods, nearby mountains and even the Taihu Lake in Suzhou.
The ancient landscape gardens endow Mudu with traditional culture and the natural beauty of the area enriches Mudu in its outlook. Mudu, as an ancient town south of Yangtze River, awaits visitors.