Mudu

Mudu is an ancient water town on the east side of Lingyan Mountain, ten kilometers away from downtown Suzhou. During the Spring and Autumn period, the King Fuchai of Wu built a palace in the Lingyan mountain for Lady Xishi. Mudu, meaning “Wood Waterway”, got the name because raw woods for the palace blocked the waterway.

Place of Celebrities

Mudu is located on the bank of Taihu Lake, only five kilometers away from it. The prosperous Watertown is the home of many historical celebrities. Shen Deqian the poet, Feng Guifen the scholar in the Qing dynasty, “Embroidery Queen” Shen Shou, as well as Yan Guoxin, grandfather of Taiwan’s political leader Yen Chia-kan, have lived in Mudu. Today, Feng Guifen’s former house (Bangyan Resistance) and Mudu’s richest man Yan Guoxin’s garden (Yan’s Family Garden) are all well-known attractions within the town of Mudu.

Qianlong’s Trip to Southern China

During his reign, the Qianlong Emperor made six trips to the south of the Yangtze River and witnessed the beautiful scenery there. It is said that each time he passed through Mudu, he would disembark at the Xiangxi Royal Pier of Mudu and watch a play at the Hongyin Mountain Villa (private garden of scholar Xu Shiyuan), before returning to his palace on Lingyan Mountain.