【Pillow Water Jiangnan · Savoring Mudu】A Weekend Getaway to Stroll Through the Ancient Town

Escaping the hustle and bustle for the weekend, I immersed myself in Suzhou's Mudu Ancient Town, renowned as the "First Town of Wuzhong." This time, I deliberately chose the City Comfort Inn (Suzhou International Film & TV City Mudu Metro Station Branch) as my base, and it turned out to be the first delightful surprise of the trip! 🏨 Accommodation: The Unexpected Joy of City Comfort Inn Design perfection! Stepping into the hotel lobby felt different—not the traditional business style but a clever blend of modern minimalism and Suzhou elegance. The decorative paintings and lighting fixtures in the lobby revealed thoughtful design touches that caught the eye ✨. Quiet is key! Though the hotel is close to the metro station (super convenient! 🚇), the soundproofing is excellent. Our room faced inward, and at night, we barely heard any outside noise, just the occasional chirping of insects, truly achieving "tranquility amidst the bustle" for a restful night's sleep 😴💤. Breakfast to awaken the taste buds 😛 A special shoutout to the breakfast! 🥣 While not extravagant, it was perfectly balanced and delicious! Warm porridge, freshly made Suzhou-style noodles (with several toppings to choose from! 🍜), fresh fruit, and both Chinese and Western pastries were available. I especially loved their soy milk—rich and fragrant—paired with freshly fried dough sticks or steamed buns, setting the tone for an energetic day 💪! 🚶‍♀️ First Exploration of Mudu Ancient Town: Slow Moments by the Bridges and Streams After dropping off my luggage, I couldn’t wait to head to the heart of the ancient town. Mudu may not be as famous as Zhouzhuang or Wuzhen, but it retains more authentic local charm and a rare sense of tranquility. 📍 Yan Family Garden: The first stop was this renowned garden, celebrated as the "Gem of Jiangnan Gardens." Pavilions, towers, rockeries, ponds, and lush flora create ever-changing views, showcasing the ingenuity of ancient craftsmen. Sitting by the waterside pavilion, watching koi fish swim and feeling the breeze, it was like stepping back in time 🌿. 📍 Hongyin Mountain Villa: Once an imperial palace for Emperor Qianlong, it’s grand and impressive. What captivated me most was its hillside layout, offering a bird’s-eye view of the ancient town from above. The opera stage and Imperial Edict Hall are also worth seeing. 📍 Shantang Old Street: The soul of the ancient town! Strolling along the ancient Xiangxi River 🏞️, the polished bluestone paths underfoot are flanked by old houses with white walls and black tiles. Occasionally, a rowing boat 🛶 glides by, with the boatwoman humming a soft Wu dialect tune—this is the true essence of a Jiangnan water town 🚤💕! The old street is lined with shops selling traditional crafts like silk, Suzhou embroidery, pearls, and sandalwood fans, as well as snack stalls emitting tempting aromas. 😋 Mudu on the Tip of the Tongue: Unmissable Jiangnan Delicacies When it comes to food, Mudu is a paradise for foodies! It offers both the refinement of Suzhou cuisine and the fresh sweetness unique to water towns. 🍚 Black Rice: A Mudu specialty! Glutinous rice soaked in nanzhu leaf juice turns shiny black, with a unique herbal fragrance. Sprinkled with sugar, it’s soft, sticky, and sweet—a truly special texture! Many elderly ladies sell it by the roadside—don’t miss it! 🐑 Cangshu Mutton: A Suzhou must-try! Especially in autumn and winter, a steaming bowl of mutton soup or noodles is pure bliss 🍜! We chose a time-honored restaurant on the old street—the milky-white broth, tender and non-gamey mutton, and rich, savory soup paired perfectly with thin noodles or rice, warming both stomach and heart. Don’t forget to try the mutton jelly (frozen mutton)—it’s fantastic! 🍛 Shi’s Restaurant · Pufferfish Liver Soup: A century-old establishment, their signature pufferfish liver soup (actually made with pufferfish liver) lives up to its reputation. The clear broth is fresh and flavorful, with the fish liver as delicate as tofu, melting in your mouth—exceptionally delicious! 🐟✨ Other classics include sizzling eel paste and three-shrimp tofu. 🥟 Suzhou Pan-Fried Buns/Soup Dumplings: Any busy spot is a safe bet! Golden and crispy on the bottom, with juicy, meaty fillings—one bite releases a burst of hot soup (be careful not to burn your mouth!) 🥟🔥 🍪 Jujube Paste Sesame Cake/Sock-Bottom Crisps: Classic Suzhou pastries. The jujube paste sesame cake has a flaky crust and rich jujube filling, while the sock-bottom crisps (named for their shape) come in savory pepper-salt or scallion flavors—perfect with tea or as gifts 🥮. 🥧 Begonia Cake/Plum Blossom Cake: Freshly made street snacks! Fresh out of the oven, the caramel-colored shells hide sweet red bean paste inside—hot, fragrant, and utterly satisfying to enjoy while strolling! 🌙 Gentle Night: Lights in the Twilight At dusk, the ancient town lights up 🏮. Red lanterns reflect on the murmuring river, painting a scene of serenity and tenderness distinct from the daytime. The aroma of food still lingers on Shantang Street. Find a riverside eatery, order a few dishes (stir-fried river shrimp and clam with golden flowers are both delicious), watch the floating lanterns, and enjoy a drink—pure bliss 🍶. 🌞 Next Morning: A Different Kind of Tranquility Early the next day, before the crowds arrive, I wandered the ancient town again. The morning dew glistened on the bluestone paths, locals washed clothes by the river, and elders chatted over tea—this is the town’s truest essence. After a hearty breakfast at City Comfort Inn, we visited the Bangyan Mansion 🏯 and Ancient Pine Garden ⛲️ to soak in the scholarly elegance. 📍 Practical Tips 🚄 Transportation: City Comfort Inn (International Film & TV City Mudu Metro Station Branch) is perfectly located! Near Mudu Station on Metro Line 1, it’s a short taxi ride or 15-20-minute walk (or shared bike ride) to the ancient town’s core. Getting to downtown Suzhou or the train station is also super convenient. 🛺 Sightseeing: Consider a combo ticket (covering major sites like Yan Family Garden and Hongyin Mountain Villa)—it’s more cost-effective. The rowing boat ride is a must (charged per boat, can be shared). 🍻 Food: Try street stalls and old establishments—Cangshu mutton, black rice, pan-fried buns, and pastries are musts! Shi’s Restaurant is great for a proper meal. 👟 Attire: Comfortable shoes are a must for the ancient town’s bluestone paths! 💖 Closing Thoughts This trip to Mudu was made perfect by the comfort and quiet of 🏨 City Comfort Inn 🏨, along with its nutritious and delicious breakfast—a high-value gem 🏆. Meanwhile, Mudu Ancient Town, with its bridges and streams, exquisite gardens, lively old streets, and unforgettable food, perfectly embodies the grace and charm of a Jiangnan water town. It’s understated yet deeply captivating. If you’re looking for a place near Suzhou to quietly savor Jiangnan’s essence 🌊, Mudu is worth slowing down for, staying awhile, and savoring in detail 🌸💕. I hope this detailed, food-filled travelogue transports you there! Next time you visit Mudu, try City Comfort Inn and embark on your own Jiangnan culinary adventure! 😉