Shengze Mulan Zhou Park

Shengze Mulan Zhou Park

Mulan Zhou is located to the south of Shengze Town in Wujiang District, Suzhou City, covering an area of 7,300 square meters. The park boasts picturesque scenery, featuring a lake within the islet and an island within the lake. Wisteria-covered embankments to the east and willow-lined ones to the west are interspersed with pavilions, terraces, towers, corridors, and bridges among lush flowers and trees. Built in the 14th year of the Zhiyuan era during the Yuan Dynasty (1277), it was originally named Gu Chi An. During the Zhizheng era of the Yuan Dynasty (1341–1368), it was renamed Yuan Zhao An. As it was surrounded by water on all sides with waves seemingly spilling over the horizon, it also came to be known as Mulan Zhou. In the Republican era, it was converted into a park. A “Yuan Zhao Hall,” commonly referred to as the Four-Sided Hall, was built in the eastern part of the park. It has a square floor plan, encircled by corridors, with each side of the corridor stretching 9.12 meters in length. At the southernmost end lies a long embankment by the water, densely planted with wisteria. The park also houses a stone stele from the first year of the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty (1506), inscribed with the “Record of Yuan Zhao An.”

Mulan Zhou is a renowned scenic spot in Shengze. Its history, poetic tributes, and seasonal beauty have left an indelible impression on generations of Shengze residents. Over seven hundred years ago, this place was originally a desolate village with an ancient temple. According to the “Shenghu Zhi” (Annals of Sheng Lake), in the 14th year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty (1277), a monk named Shan Ying built a temple here. “To its south was a lotus pond where villagers without burial land would conduct water burials.” Hence, it was initially named Gu Chi An. By the Zhizheng era (1341–1368), it was renamed Yuan Zhao An after the emperor bestowed a plaque inscribed with “Yuan Zhao.” Today, above the gate of the inner garden of Mulan Zhou, there is still a plaque engraved with the four seal script characters “Yuan Zhao Site.”

The “Record of Yuan Zhao An” written by Lü Chang during the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty states: “The temple is embraced by flowing water on all sides, with the Sheng River in front and waves that fill the eyes, hence it was named Mulan Zhou. Literati and artists who visited here were enchanted, making it a scenic wonder of the region!” This shows that Mulan Zhou was already a favored destination for literati and artists at that time. Prominent figures from the Wu region, such as Shen Zhou, Zhu Yunming, Wen Zhengming, and Wang Chong, often lingered here, leaving behind numerous poems and calligraphic works. Shen Zhou’s poem “Mulan Zhou” reads: “Mulan Zhou is known as the Magnolia Isle; in my dreams, I often wander here. Today, asking the monks confirms it — the home of water and bamboo resembles a celestial realm.” In another poem, “Renaming It Magnolia Isle,” the elder even whimsically proposed renaming Mulan Zhou as Magnolia Isle: “Why not rename it Magnolia? The character differs, but the sound remains the same!” From this, we can see how this water garden, cherished by literati, became a poetic haven.

In 1929, the Shengze District Office decided to turn Mulan Zhou into a public park for the enjoyment of local residents. This move was warmly welcomed by the people. In those days, parks were rare even in small and medium-sized cities, let alone in towns, so Mulan Zhou gained considerable fame in the Suzhou-Jiaxing-Huzhou region. Today, after continuous renovation and improvement by the local government, Mulan Zhou Park has surpassed its former glory.

Mulan Zhou is divided into an inner and outer garden. The inner garden is the site of the former “Yuan Zhao An,” surrounded by a small stream planted with lotuses. The garden is filled with lush flowers and various potted plants, with neatly trimmed holly trees lining the pathways. At the southernmost end of Mulan Zhou is a long embankment built along the water. The western half is graced by willows with trailing branches and ink-like reflections on the water, while the eastern half is covered with centuries-old wisteria in charming disarray. These ancient wisterias, with their twisted roots and sprawling vines, burst into purple splendor every April, forming a unique highlight of Mulan Zhou. Shen Zhou wrote: “The islet opens in the heart of the water, surrounded by mirror-like surfaces; when a breeze suddenly rises, ripples stir the otherwise calm waves.” Visitors can grasp the ambiance of this waterside garden through his verse.

Scenic Area Address: Shunxin South Road, Shengze Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province

Transportation: Take a bus to Shengze Town or Jiaxing from Jiangsu or Wujiang, then transfer to a taxi or minibus to Shunxin South Road in Shengze; alternatively, take bus route 163 and get off at the Mulan Zhou Intersection stop.

Zhenze Town: This Jiangnan water town, Zhenze, is located in the southwestern part of Wujiang City, Jiangsu Province, bordering Zhejiang Province. Historically known as the “Head of Wu and Tail of Yue,” it lies 90 kilometers east of Shanghai and 54 kilometers north of Suzhou. National Highway 318 and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal run through the area, offering extremely convenient land and water transportation. Zhenze covers a total area of 57 square kilometers, including a 3.93-square-kilometer town center, nearly 40,000 mu of arable land, and a population of over 50,000. The town has well-developed infrastructure, including one 220kV and one 110kV substation, a 25,000-ton ground water plant, and mobile communication transmission stations providing... More detailed information about Zhenze Town ++