Mingyuewan Ancient Village is located on the south side of Xishan Island, a large island in Taihu Lake. The north of Xishan Island is connected to the land by Taihu Lake Bridge. According to legend, people had lived in this ancient village in the Spring and Autumn Period. The ancient buildings we see now were mainly built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. They are not extremely stunning. However, its location by Taihu Lake brings magnificent lake views and delicious lake delicacies, which is quite attractive. If you are a tourist on the Xishan Island round-trip, taking this place as a stopover is very suitable. It offers convenient accommodation and food, and is located at the midpoint of the loop. Getting off the bus is the main entrance of Mingyuewan. The 1200-year-old ancient camphor tree at the entrance of the village is one of the symbols of the ancient village. The Mingyue Bridge beside the tree is built over the flowing brook. The streets and alleys in the village are paved with stone slabs. The main road is in a circular shape and can be visited in a clockwise direction. Entering the village along the stone slab street, first visit the Huang Family Ancestral Hall (Ancient Village History Museum), which contains the history that several prominent families such as the Jin, Deng, Qin, Huang, and Wu families in the village were descendants of the Song Dynasty. This is helpful for subsequent tours. The Dunlun Hall that is passed later is a relatively ordinary two-story residential building. In the Lihe Hall in the east, there is a study called ‘Nanshouxuan’. The intersection of the beams in the room is in the shape of a flower basket, supplemented by wood carvings, which is quite unique. Then come to the Zhanrui Hall. However, this relatively large-scale residential building in the village may not be open. The Yugeng Hall next door originally belonged to the Zhanrui Hall. The Deng family bought it from the declining Wu family. It is a relatively high-standard building in the village. In the Yugeng Hall, you can see elegant brick-carved gate towers and wood-carved long windows. Carved furniture is placed in the house, and a small Suzhou garden-style garden is also created in the courtyard. Walking west to the Deng Family Ancestral Hall, you can first turn to see the rebuilt watchtower before returning to the ancestral hall. The Deng Family Ancestral Hall is also the Memorial Hall of Honest Official Bao Shizhao. The two pieces of honest stones in the courtyard are said to be related to the story of Bao Shizhao’s incorruptibility. Continuing to walk west, you will reach the ancient dock stretching into Taihu Lake, which is also one of the symbols of the ancient village. Other scenic spots in the ancient village include the Meihua Spring, which is said to have been used by Xi Shi for dressing up, and the Mingyue Chan Temple, which enshrines various gods such as Bodhisattva, City God, Guan Gong, God of Mighty Generals, and Silkworm Flower God. Accommodation in the village is mainly farmhouse inns. Staying here, you can not only see the sunset over Taihu Lake, but also look forward to the scene of the bright moon rising over the lake. According to legend, Fuchai and Xi Shi also enjoyed the moon here. The sunset and the bright moon are better seen at the ancient dock. There is a farmhouse inn style street along Taihu Lake at the entrance of the ancient village. Restaurants are lined up. Tasting the characteristic delicacy ‘Three Whites of Taihu Lake’ (white fish, whitebait, and white shrimp) is a must. In autumn, you can eat Taihu Lake hairy crabs. In April, remember to order a cup of Biluochun tea in the restaurant. In May, the loquats in front of every household are ripe. In autumn, help the villagers pick the gingko fruits from the trees and then buy a few oranges to eat. The green products of all seasons also make people feel satisfied.
Opening hours: Open all year round from 08:00 to 16:30.
Preferential policies: Children: Free for those under 1.2 meters (inclusive) in height; discounted for those between 1.2 meters (exclusive) and 1.4 meters (exclusive) in height. Elderly: Free for those aged 70 years old (inclusive) and above; discounted for those aged 60 years old (inclusive) to 69 years old (inclusive). Active-duty officers: Active-duty officers are free with valid certificates. Service facilities: Parking lot: [Parking lot of Ancient Village of Mingyue Bay]. Reference price: ¥10/time. Address: Inside Ancient Village of Mingyue Bay, Jinting Town, Wuzhong District, Suzhou City. Parking spaces: 100.
