Mudu Ancient Town

Mudu, a historic cultural town, is located at the foot of Linyan Hill in the west of Suzhou. She, surrounded by quiet, delicate landscape and connected to the Taihu Lake through lots of waterways, wins a good reputation of superb grace and elegance. Two clear and charming rivers, Xiangxi River and Xujiang River, wind their ways through the peaceful and beautiful town. It's recorded that Fucai, the Emperor of the ancient Wu County 2500 years ago, especially had his Guanwa Palace built here for his queen Xishi, one of the Four Beauties in the history of China. In addition, Qianlong, Emperor of Qing Dynasty had been to this beautiful town six times.
 Mudu is the only ancient town worth the reputation of Chinese garden town. Her architectural style is unique among so many old towns south of the Yangzi River. She has more than 30 private gardens during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, including Yan Family Residence, Hongyin Villa, Ancient Pine Garden and Bangyan mansion. (Bangyan is the second at imperial examinations in the ancient times.)
Mudu's long history civilization, elegant gardens and well- known legends make it the most valuable place of interest for the people in modern times, which are eager to enjoy relaxation and luxury, developing their interests and appreciation.

Admission Fee:
CNY 78 (Yanjia Garden, Hongyinshanfang, Bangyan Mansion, Gusong Garden)
CNY 40 Yanjia Garden (only)
CNY 40 Hongyinshanfang (only)
CNY 20 Gusong Garden(only)
CNY 10 Bangyan Mansion (only)
CNY 20 for Lingyanshan Scenic Area (only)
CNY 5 for Ancient Porcelain Museum of Ming and Qing Dynasties (only)
CNY 10 for boating on Xiangxi River (only)
CNY 60 for White Elephant Ecological Garden (only)

木渎--与苏州城同龄的水乡古镇，位于苏州西郊灵岩山麓，依山而筑，傍水而居，其独特的格局为江南诸多古镇少有。有'吴中第一镇'之美誉。迄今已有2500多年历史。相传春秋末年，吴王夫差为取悦美女西施，在灵岩山顶建馆娃宫，并增筑姑苏台，'三年聚材，五年乃成'，木材源源而至，竟堵塞了山下的河流港渎，'积木塞渎'，木渎由此得名。木渎因境内风光秀丽，物产丰饶，又恰在天平、灵岩、狮山、七子等吴中名山环抱之中，故有'聚宝盆'之称。。

康熙三次南巡和乾隆六下江南，每次偏幸木渎，足见这里的山水风光让多少文人墨客为之倾倒。众多的名人之中，范仲淹的名字应该是最熟悉不过的了，那'先天下之忧而忧，后天下之乐而乐'的名句让多少后人为之赞叹！

木渎胜景中还有伍子胥所建我国第一条人工运河胥江、因西施在此洗妆满河生香而名的香溪、灵岩山、以怪石清泉古枫'三绝'驰誉天下的天平山。尤其是天平山每年一次的红枫节，因其漫山如丹的红枫吸引了众多游客的目光，那铺满厚厚红叶的小路，不知让多少喜欢她的游人驻足忘返。

走进木渎，你便走进了唐诗宋词的幽雅意境；穿越古镇，你便穿越了二千五百年的历史风云。那里的每一条河，每一座桥，每一座园林，都是一部历史，她会让你徜徉其间，不舍离去。其深厚的文化底蕴，幽雅的园林环境，脍炙人口的历史传说，为现代都市人提供了一个放松身心、陶冶情操的旅游休闲的好去处。