Strolling in Ancient Towns of Jiangnan Part Four: Mudu Ancient Town, a taste of Jiangnan in the wind

Mudu Ancient Town is located in the west of Suzhou, known as the 'First Town of Wu' and 'The Most Beautiful in Jiangnan'. The ancient town is as old as Suzhou city, with a history of more than 2,500 years. In winter, there are not many tourists in the ancient town, and the commercial atmosphere in the town is not heavy, which is very suitable for leisurely walking and experiencing the charm of Jiangnan. 🌟Highlights: Yan's Garden is located in Shantang Street, north of Wang's Bridge in the ancient town. It was originally the residence of a Grand Scholar in the Qing Dynasty, and was later bought and renovated by Yan Guoxin, the richest man in Mudu. Hence the name 'Yan's Garden'. The garden is filled with clear pools like jade, willows, rockeries, and pavilions embedded between the rocks and waves, which is very beautiful. Architectural scholar Professor Liu Dunzhen once praised Yan's Garden as a 'classic of Jiangnan gardens'. Hongyin Mountain House is just 200 meters east of Yan's Garden, a short walk away. It is said that every time Emperor Qianlong visited Mudu in Jiangnan, he would come here to enjoy the garden, taste tea, recite poems and watch operas, which shows the high standard of this garden's construction. Lingyan Mountain is adjacent to the ancient town, in the northwest direction, and can be seen before entering the town. The mountain is not high, but it is full of strange rocks, hence the name Lingyan Mountain. It is known as 'the most beautiful in Jiangnan', suitable for a walk. 🚉Transportation: You can take the subway to Mudu Ancient Town, it is very convenient as it is just outside the subway exit. 💰Ticket Price: Walking around the ancient town is free, but tickets are required to visit Yan's Garden and Hongyin Mountain House. If you plan to visit all, it is more cost-effective to buy a combined ticket. ⏳Visiting Time: The ancient town is not big, walking around the town and visiting various gardens will take about three hours. If you plan to go to Lingyan Mountain, it will take longer, so it is recommended to set off early.