Mudu Town enjoys the reputation of “No. 1 Town in Wuzhong.” It has won many honorary titles such as “China’s Famous Historic and Cultural Town,” “China’s Ancient Garden Town,” “National Demonstration Site for Building Civilized Small Towns,” “National Model Town for Building Civilized Towns,” “Township with a Beautiful Environment in China,” and “A Civilized Town in Jiangsu” (from 2013 to 2016). In 2018, Mudu ranked 57th among the “National Top 100 Most Competitive Towns in Terms of Comprehensive Strength.”
Mudu, situated in the southwest of Suzhou, is 12 kilometres away from its old city area. The town borders Hengtang community of Suzhou New District in the east, Yuexi community and Hengjing community in the south, Xukou Town in the southwest, and Guangfu Town and Xiangshan community in the west. In the northwest, north and northeast, it connects with Dongzhu Town, Hushuguan Town, Fengqiao community, and Shishan community of Suzhou New District respectively.
History of Mudu Town
In the 26th year of Emperor Ying Zheng’s reign of the Qin Dynasty (221 BC), the former capital city of Wu State was established as Wu County, and Mudu was under its jurisdiction. Mudu Town was first set up in the Northern Song Dynasty. The year of 1912 saw the establishment of Mudu City which was bestowed with local autonomy and under the jurisdiction of Wu County. On April 27, 1949, Mudu was liberated and the Mudu District People’s Government was established. Thus, Mudu Town was founded and under the jurisdiction of Mudu District of Wuxian County.
In 1985, Jinshan Township merged with Mudu Town to form the present Mudu. In February 2001, Wuxian City was abolished, and turned into Wuzhong District and Xiangcheng District. Mudu then belonged to Wuzhong District. In 2014, Mudu was listed as a pilot unit in the reform of “Power Expansion of Strong Towns” in Suzhou.
Scenic Areas and Places of Historical Interest
The Qionglong Mountain
The Qionglong Mountain stands by Taihu Lake, whose body part consists of Damao Peak, Ermao Peak and Sanmao Peak. It is the largest and highest mountain in Suzhou. Its highest peak Damao Peak is 341.7 metres above the sea level and is known as “the Most Famous Mountain in Wu County.” The mountain area has been designated as the Dongwu National Forest Park. On and around the mountain there are the Shangzhen Taoist Temple, the Ningbang Temple, the Sunwu Garden, and the Sunwu Cultural Park, etc. The area has long been known as “a land of fortune” and “a wonderland where talents gather.”
The Lingyan Mountain
The Lingyan Mountain is in the northwest of Mudu Town. It is thus named due to the famous “Lingzhi Stone” in front of the Lingyan Pagoda. During the Spring and Autumn Period, King Helv of Wu State “built a palace to entertain himself on the mountain,” and hence, it was called the Shicheng Mountain. As a tourist destination boasting in picturesque natural scenery and famous historical sites, the Lingyan Mountain has enjoyed the reputation of “possessing unparalleled beauty in the area south of the Yangtze River.”
The Tianchi Mountain
The Tianchi Mountain is located to the north of the Shanren Bridge. Its highest peak Lotus Peak is 169 metres above sea level. The mountain is known for its “three wonders,” namely picturesque rocks, the Tianchi Spring, and stone houses and Buddhas.
The Tianping Mountain
The Tianping Mountain is in the north of Mudu Town. The mountain is the burial place of the ancestors of Fan Zhongyan who was a famous official in the Northern Song Dynasty. It is known for such three wonders as “maple trees,” “oddly-shaped rocks,” and “clear springs.” The area is home to eighteen renowned scenic spots, and is one of China’s four famous tourist destinations to appreciate maple leaves.
Shantang Street in Mudu
Shantang Street in Mudu starts from the Linyan Mountain in the west and stretches to the bustling Zhongshi Street in the east, with a total length of 1,000 meters. It was formed about 2,500 years ago in the Spring and Autumn Period. Its layout closely resembles that of the Shantang Street in the old city area of Suzhou. The whole street parallels with a river, over which span a few small bridges. Green trees line along the riverbanks while clear water flows leisurely in the watercourse. Traditional houses and deep alleys scatter around the street, hosting numerous historical relics sites.
Mu Garden
Mu Garden, commonly known as “the Yan’s Garden,” is located by the Wangjiaqiao Bridge in Mudu’s Shantang Street. The garden was built in the sixth year of Emperor Yongzheng’s reign of the Qing Dynasty (1728). A renovation project was carried out in the residence in 2000. In the following year, it was completed and the house was opened to the general public. The garden covers an area of more than 10,000 square metres, with a floorage of 3,244 square metres. Its layout consists of the residential area in the middle, and gardens on three sides. The Shangxian Hall (“Shangxian” means “appreciation of talents.”) and the Siji Garden (“Siji” means “four seasons.”) are the most famous spots in the residence.
The Ancient Pine Garden
Gusong Garden (“Gusong” means “ancient pines.”) is located on the eastern side of the Lufei Bridge in Shantang Street. It used to be the residence of Cai Shaoyu, a rich man in Mudu in the late Qing Dynasty. In the garden, there is a Podocarpus macrophyllus planted in the Ming Dynasty. The tree has a large evergreen crown and a twisted yet sturdy trunk. The garden is named after this unique Podocarpus macrophyllus. The garden covers an area of 3,163 square metres, with a floorage of 1,920 square metres. Now it is a cultural relics unit under the municipal protection.
Local Specialties
Cangshu Mutton
Sheep have been bred in Cangshu of Mudu since ancient times. The business gradually developed and farmers began to take dealing in mutton as their livelihood. Cangshu mutton has become a well-known local specialty. In 1997, “Cangshu Mutton” was registered as a trademark. The production of mutton and related products has been industrialized since then. Since 2005, the Cangshu Mutton Cuisine and Cultural Tourism Festival has been held as an annual event. In 2015, the craftsmanship of making Cangshu mutton was included into the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage Units under provincial protection.
Jinshan Stone Carving
The key raw material for Jinshan stone carving is granite produced in Jinshan and its surrounding areas in Mudu. The locally produced granite is hard in texture and pleasant in color. It is commonly referred to as “Jinshan stone.” Stone carving in Mudu has a rather long history. In March 2007, this craftsmanship was included in the first batch of the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of Jiangsu Province.
Chengni Stone Carving in Cangshu
Stone made of Chengni (meaning “fine and smooth clay via filtration”) is mainly produced in the area around the Magang Mountain west of the Shanren Bridge. Products featuring Chengni stone carving include inkstones and tea pots, etc. In March 2007, Chengni stone carving of Cangshu was included in the first batch of units for the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of Jiangsu Province.
Bafei Soup
Bafei Soup is a renowned traditional dish in the area south of the Yangtze River. It a representative dish of the Jiangsu cuisine. The dish features rich and tender fish liver, fine fish meat and clear yet delicious soup. It is a seasonal dish in summer and autumn. Shijia Restaurant in Mudu has inherited the traditional cooking techniques of this dish. In September 2011, Shijia Restaurant’s cooking techniques of Bafei Soup was included in the third batch of units for the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of Jiangsu Province.
Qianshengyuan’s Jujube-paste-filling Pies
Pies with Jujube paste filling and crust covered with sesame seeds produced by Qianhengyuan Food Co. Ltd. is one of the famous “Suzhou-style” pastries. Qianshengyuan was founded in the 46th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign of the Qing Dynasty (1781). In 2006, “Qianshengyuan” was designated as one of the first batch of “China’s Time-honored Brands” by the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Commerce. In September 2011, Qianshengyuan’s craftsmanship of making pies with jujube paste filling and crust covered with sesame seeds was included in the third batch of units for the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of Jiangsu Province.
Mudu’s Multi-repetitious Music
During the Republic of China period, the studios of Mudu’s multi-repetitious music (or Shifan Music) included the Fushou Hall, the Ronghua Hall, the Hehe Hall, and the Honghe Hall, etc., among which only the Hehe Hall remains active up till now. The local multi-repetitious music performed by the artists of Hehe Hall falls into two categories: music featuring gongs and drums, and music involving wind and percussion instruments. In November 2015, Mudu’s multi-repetitious music was included in the fourth batch of units for the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of Jiangsu Province.
Steamed Purple Glutinous Rice of Qionglong Mountain
In the areas around the Shanren Bridge and the Qionglong Mountain in Mudu, people still observe the tradition of making and eating steamed purple glutinous rice. Its major ingredients are glutinous rice and leaves of Vaccinium bracteatum. The rice helps to tonify the spleen and kidneys, relieve cough and uneasiness, improve eyesight, and darken the hair. In 2011, the Wuzhen Hall’s rice making skills were included in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of Wuzhong District.
The Zhenguan Temple Fair on Qionglong Mountain
The Zhengguan Temple Fair started in the seventh year of Emperor Shunzhi’s reign of the Qing Dynasty (1650). The temple fair has well preserved the rituals and music characteristic of the Qionglong School of Taoism. In 2011, the Zhenguan Temple Fair was included in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of Wuzhong District.
Appreciation of Maple Leaves
Appreciating maple leaves in autumn at the Tianping Mountain has become a custom in the Wuzhong area since the Qing Dynasty. Since the 1990s, Mudu has held the Tianping Mountain Red Maple Festival every year, which attracts flocks of visitors, and enjoys immense popularity.
Laba Festival
The twelfth lunar month is called “La Yue” (meaning “the lunar month in which people sacrifice to all the gods”), and the eighth day of this month is called “La Ba”. Mudu people have the custom of eating Laba porridge, since it is believed that eating this porridge can dispel ill luck and invite good fortune. Laba porridge is cooked with a variety of ingredients. The key ingredients are rice, peanuts, mung beans, red beans, and lotus seeds, etc. Other ingredients may include lentils, red dates, longans, yams, lilium brownii, the fruits of Chinese wolfberries, Chinese pearl barley, and millet, etc. It can be served with sugar and become an ideal type of dessert. On the eighth day of every eighth lunar month, the monks of the Lingyanshan Temple and the Mingyue Temple will cook Laba porridge and offer it to local people and visitors.
