Mudu Shantang Street

Mudu Shantang Street is the main street of Mudu Ancient Town, starting from Zhongshi Street in the east and connecting to Lingyan Mountain in the west. The main attractions and delicacies of the ancient town are all concentrated here. It is said that during the Spring and Autumn period, King Wu of Wu built the Guanwa Palace on the top of Lingyan Mountain to please Xi Shi, and labor and materials gathered here. As a result, many families settled in Shantang and gradually developed into a town. Although Mudu Shantang Street has a similar layout to Shantang Street in Suzhou, with ancient houses, old streets, and small bridges over flowing water, the former was established much earlier than the latter.
The tourist center (ticket office) is located at the west end of Shantang Street. The main attractions along the street from west to east include Yanjia Garden, Hongyin Mountain House, Gusong Garden, and Bangyan Mansion. Yanjia Garden’s Nanmu Hall, Shangxian Hall, is very imposing; inside Hongyin Mountain House, you can see a large stage; the carved flowers in the Gusong Garden’s building are very beautiful, and there is also a Luohan pine from the Ming Dynasty in the garden; Bangyan Mansion is famous for its exquisite brick, wood, and stone carvings.

Accompanying Mudu Shantang Street, Xiangxi River and the southern Xujiang River converge under the ancient bridge, Xiaqiao, in the east. Xiangxi River is said to be named because Xi Shi bathed with fragrances in the Guanwa Palace, and the water flowing into the river made the whole river fragrant. Xujiang River is an artificial canal dug by Wu Zixu and his followers. You can take a cruise on the river to enjoy the scenery on both banks. The cruise terminal is not far from the tourist center at the west end of Shantang Street, with a boat fare of 10 yuan, and it sets sail with at least 3 people.

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Other attractions on Shantang Street include Mingyue Temple, Gusu Twelve Ladies’ Charm Garden (free), and the Ming and Qing Ancient Porcelain Museum is on the opposite side of the river. The delicacies on Shantang Street include Qianshengyuan, whose signature date paste sesame cake is even better than that of another famous Suzhou shop, Cai Zhi Zhai. If you continue to walk east along Shantang Street to Zhongshi Street, Shijia Restaurant is also very famous, and its signature dish, Ba Fei Soup, is made by stewing fish liver in chicken soup. The fish liver is tender, and the soup is extremely delicious. The opening hours and specific business status of the entire text are subject to the actual opening situation on the day.

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