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 Qianlong period 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 a round-the-island tour of Xishan, it is very suitable to take this place as a stopover. 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 next to the tree is built over the flowing river. 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 in the village, such as the Jin, Deng, Qin, Huang, and Wu families, were descendants of the Song Dynasty. This is helpful for the subsequent tour. The Dunlun Hall that follows is a relatively ordinary two-story residential building. In the Lihe Hall on the east side, 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 and it is a relatively high-standard building in the village. In the Yugeng Hall, you can see elegant brick-carved gate towers and long wood-carved 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 watchtower rebuilt in modern times, and then return 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 Zen Temple, which enshrines various gods such as Bodhisattva, City God, Guan Gong, God of Valor, 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 style street along Taihu Lake at the entrance of the ancient village. Restaurants are lined up. Tasting the characteristic delicacy ‘Taihu Three Whites’ (white fish, whitebait, and white shrimp) is a must. You can eat Taihu hairy crabs in autumn. 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 gingkoes from the trees and buy a few oranges to eat. The green products of all seasons also make people feel satisfied.
Mingyuewan Ancient Village is open all year round from 08:00 to 16:30.
Preferential policies for children: Free for children under 1.2 meters (inclusive); discounted for children between 1.2 meters (exclusive) and 1.4 meters (exclusive). Preferential policies for the elderly: Free for those aged 70 and above (inclusive); discounted for those aged between 60 and 69 (inclusive). Preferential policies for active-duty military officers: Free for active-duty military officers with valid identification. Service facilities: Parking lot – Mingyuewan Ancient Village Parking Lot, reference price: ¥10 per entry; Address: Inside Mingyuewan Ancient Village, Jinting Town, Wuzhong District, Suzhou City; Spaces: 100
