Muyue Temple in Mudu

Muyue Temple in Mudu

Muyue Temple in Mudu is a cultural tourism attraction.

Muyue Temple is situated on Shantang Street in the ancient town of Mudu. From a distance of about a hundred meters east of the Yan Family Garden, its apricot-yellow exterior walls and wisps of incense smoke evoke a religious atmosphere, instantly inspiring a sense of solemn reverence. Built in the second year of the Qingtai era of the Later Tang Dynasty (935 AD) by the monk Mingzhi, it was later incorporated into Puxian Temple in the early years of the Hongwu reign during the Ming Dynasty. It was renovated by the monk Daogen in the 16th year of the Guangxu reign (1890 AD). The temple was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution and was restored and reopened in 1993.

Originally, there was a large pear orchard near Muyue Temple. In early spring, when “thousands upon thousands of pear blossoms bloom,” it became a scenic highlight of the ancient town. The Qing Dynasty poet Li Guo once wrote, “Pear blossoms at Muyue Temple, fragrant grass at the cowherd’s hut,” a line that was widely recited at the time. The architectural design of Muyue Temple is quite distinctive. The layout and structure of its Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, and Scripture Depository resemble those of the nearby Lingyan Mountain Temple. Upon entering the mountain gate and Heavenly King Hall, the jovial Maitreya Buddha sits serenely in the center. The Four Heavenly Kings stand on either side, each with a fierce and imposing expression.

The Mahavira Hall is the central structure of Muyue Temple. The main hall has five bays, with double-eaved, upturned corners, exuding solemnity and grandeur. At the center of the hall is the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, flanked by Amitabha Buddha and Bhaisajyaguru Buddha, collectively known as the “Three Ages of Buddhas.” Behind the great Buddha is the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva, standing atop a lotus pedestal, holding a vase and willow branch, with a composed and tranquil expression. On either side of the hall are the Eighteen Arhats, each with unique and lifelike expressions.

The various halls of Muyue Temple all feature the hip-and-gable roof style with double eaves, their upward-curving corners giving visitors a feeling of floating as if ascending to the heavens. The foundations of the buildings also rise gradually from south to north, following the terrain, symbolizing the Buddhist pursuit of transcendence.

With its profound Buddhist culture, coupled with serene winding corridors and lush floral surroundings, Muyue Temple boasts a garden-like charm that has attracted many scholars and poets. Ye Xie, a Qing Dynasty poetry theorist, visited Muyue Temple in his later years and composed a poem: “Through autumn’s weary view beneath my staff I peer, / Seeking hermits’ haunts where wild joys used to appear. / Fond of lone temples where I oft seek my way, / Too weak to climb stairs after an illness’s day. / Chilled dew and fading light make weeping moon, / Old autumn cicadas chant through ancient lagoon. / Vague memories of lakes stir thoughts long ago— / As if old friends we’d boat where waters flow.” This poem captures the secluded tranquility of Muyue Temple and the poet’s inner longing for reclusion. Today, the dust of time has long sealed other temples and monasteries in the town within the memory of the ancient streets, but this ancient Muyue Temple, having endured over a thousand years of history, still remains enveloped in incense smoke, with its spiritual flame burning continuously.

Town of Mudu: Located on the shores of Taihu Lake, at the foot of Lingyan and Tianping Mountains, the town of Mudu is a garden-style ancient town in China with a history of over 2,500 years and profound roots in Wu culture, surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. Covering an area of 62.28 square kilometers, it has a local population of 86,000 and a migrant population exceeding 200,000. Historically a key town in Wuzhong, it has long been known as the “Hometown of Stone Carving,” “Hometown of Calligraphy,” and “Hometown of Gardens,” earning the title of “First Town of Wuzhong.” It has been recognized as a “National Model for Creating Civilized Small Towns,” “National Advanced Town in Creating Civilized Towns,” “Famous Historical and Cultural Town of China,” and a “National Sanitary Town”... More detailed information about Mudu Town++

Ancient Town of Mudu

Lingyan Mountain Temple

Yan Family Garden in Mudu

Ancient Pine Garden in Mudu (Former Residence of Cai Shaoyu)

Wu Xiang Shrine

Shantang Ancient Street in Mudu

Bangyan Mansion in Mudu (Former Residence of Feng Guifen)

Mudu Lingyan Peony Garden