Shantang Street

Shantang Street is the economic center of Mudu Town. Over there, visitors can see an ancient classical garden named Gusongyuan or Ancient Pine Garden, which is famous for an arhat pine tree planted in Ming Dynasty with more than 500 years old. Ancient pine garden is the old residence of Cai Shaoyu, who was the rich man of Mudu in late Qing Dynasty. The whole layout of this garden is very good and it is well preserved. Its gate brick-carving is very treasured. On the beam of Ancient Pine Hall, there is a carving figure themed with eight pipas,which is a famous traditional musical instrument in China. It is special in Chinese garden architecture. Phoenix Tower was the former building of east hill flower-carving tower. At the west side of the back garden, it is the Embroidering Art Hall of Yao Jianping who was the master of Chinese industrial arts.

 

Bangyan Mansion or Bangyanfu was the former residence of Feng Guifeng who was the student of Li Zexu. (Bangyan traditionally was the second-place candidate in the ancient imperial examination. The first-place winner was called Zhuangyuan, and the third one was called Tanhua, and others were called Hanlinxueshi). Feng Guifeng in 1840 won the second place in imperial exam, hence his hometown civilians called his residence Bangyan Mansion. Bangyan Mansion has a layout of front hall and back yard. It covers roughly 10 mu land and is the typical architectural style of garden in Qing dynasty mainly featured by its brick-carving, woodcarving and stone-carving.