Can you believe this museum is actually run by a foreigner?

Just a 1-hour drive from Shanghai 🚗, we visited the Liuyue Museum for the second time! Three years ago, when we brought the kids, they barely understood it, but now their eyes are full of curiosity about ancient folk customs. This "cultural outing with kids" has been completely upgraded!

👉🏻 First, understand: why is this museum so special⁉️
6️⃣ Name pun: "Liuyue" = delight for eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind! It’s a clever combination of sensory experience and cultural connotation.
👨🏼‍💼 Founder: American uncle Mitch Dudek, who has collected over 40,000 old items in China, turning an old factory into a museum—a true "Chinese folk culture enthusiast."

🌟 Must-see highlights: 60+ categories with over 40,000 folk art pieces
🟪 Architecture: 1,200 ancient doors + thousands of flower-patterned windows, plus an old siheyuan courtyard moved here—perfect for ancient-style photos~
🟨 Carvings: Ming and Qing dynasty colorful wood carvings, "Ten Thousand Buddhas Grotto" stone carvings, sacred palanquins and shrines… the details are breathtaking!
🟦 Daily life: Ming and Qing dynasty antique beds, basket wooden boxes, cake molds… instantly transporting you to ancient daily life.
🟧 Special exhibition from 9.1 to 12.31: "China·1980," featuring old photos and childhood items from the ’80s (enamel cups, old TVs, sewing machines), a nostalgic blast!
🟩 Cultural creations: kites, fish lanterns, shadow puppets, sachets, Hanfu… bringing the lively charm of intangible cultural heritage home.

🩷 Popular activity: Don’t miss the "Liuyue Passport 📒"
You can get a passport at the front desk, which marks the core exhibits in each hall. Find the corresponding stamp points to collect stamps while playing and learning. Collect them all to exchange for souvenirs!

🌷 Tips for the lazy:
1️⃣ The museum is located in Lili, Wujiang, Suzhou, with free parking for self-driving visitors.
2️⃣ The venue is large; for an in-depth experience, 2 days are recommended. You can book a night at the nearby Liuyue Museum Hotel 🏨, which also has a set meal restaurant 🥢.

Post by RICKY PATTON | Oct 24, 2025