Mudou Shantang Street

Mudou Shantang Street is the main street of the ancient town of Mudou, starting from Zhongshi Street[...]

Mudou Shantang Street is the main street of the ancient town of Mudou, starting from Zhongshi Street in the east and connecting to Lingyan Mountain in the west. The major attractions and culinary delights of the ancient town are 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 resources gathered here. As a result, many families settled in Shantang and gradually developed into a town. Although Mudou Shantang Street is similar in layout to Shantang Street in Suzhou city, with ancient houses, old streets, and small bridges over flowing water, the former was formed much earlier than the latter.
The tourist center (ticket office) is located at the west end of Shantang Street. From west to east along the street, the main attractions include Yan Family Garden, Hongyin Mountain House, Gusong Garden, and Bangyan Mansion, all of which are classical gardens. The Nanmu Hall Shangxian Hall in Yan Family Garden is very imposing; inside Hongyin Mountain House, one can see a large stage for traditional Chinese opera; the carved decorations in the Gusong Garden’s building are beautiful, and there is a Luohan pine from the Ming Dynasty in the garden; Bangyan Mansion is famous for its exquisite brick, wood, and stone carvings.

Accompanying Mudou Shantang Street, the Xiangxi River and the southern Xujiang River converge under the ancient bridge of Xiaqiao in the east. The Xiangxi River is said to be named after Xi Shi’s use of fragrances while bathing in the Guanwa Palace, which made the river fragrant as the water flowed into it. Xujiang is an artificial canal dug by Wu Zixu and his followers. You can take a boat tour along the river to enjoy the scenery on both banks. The boat dock is not far from the tourist center at the west end of Shantang Street, with a boat fare of 10 yuan, and the boat sets sail with at least 3 people.

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Other attractions on Shantang Street include Mingyue Temple, Gusu Twelve Ladies’ Amusement Garden (free of charge), and the Ming and Qing Dynasties Ancient Porcelain Museum is located across the river. The street’s culinary offerings 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, known for its signature dish, the Carp Liver Soup, made by stewing fish liver in chicken broth, which is tender and extremely delicious. The opening hours are subject to the actual operating status on the day.

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