Wuxi
Wuxi
City by the water, the pearl of Taihu Lake
Wuxi is a city in Southern Jiangsu Province, which located by the famous Taihu Lake. It has a long history and is traditionally regarded as one of the prominent cultural and economic centres in Jiangnan region since ancient times. The city is very suitable for tourism as it is filled with typical landscapes and architectures of the beautiful Jiangnan style. Jichang Garden, Li Garden and Yuantouzhu are some of the most famous tourist attractions in the city.
Lakeside Sceneries
Historical Attractions
Yuantouzhu Peninsula
Located in the northwestern shore of Taihu Lake, Yuantouzhu is a tourist hotspot for cherry blossom sightseeing during the spring season. Other than appreciating the Taihu Lake sceneries, you can even take a boat ride to explore the island in the middle of the lake.
Liyuan Garden
Liyuan Garden is located by the Lihu Lake, surrounded by water. Every year from June to September is the most ideal period of time to appreciate the blooming season of lotus. Even if you miss the season, the lake view during sunset is remarkably magnificent and worth watching.
Three Kingdoms & Water Margin Film and Television City
It is the first television city cum theme park built in China, which incorporated with tourism industry. Located at the edge of Taihu Lake, it was where the well-acclaimed television dramas ‘Romance of Three Kingdoms’ and ‘Water Margin’ filmed and produced.
Cultural Attractions
Huishan Old Town
Huishan Old Town is nestled amidst a natural environment. All ancient buildings are well-kept. You get to appreciate beautiful sceneries layered by red maples and green gingko trees. The spring water from Huishan was rated by an ancient tea master Lu Yu as the ‘Second Best Spring Water Under Heaven’, cooling with a sweet taste. Inside the Ceramic Puppet Museum of China, there are a number of miniatures in exhibition. You will also get to taste silver lining noodles, mini soup dumplings and bean curd desserts.
Qingming Bridge Old Canal
Qingming Bridge is a 400-year-old single-hole stone arch bridge that crossing canal within the water town. The waterfront street namely Nanchang Street was famous for its handicrafts and trading businesses. Now the street is filled with a vast selection of bars for food and beverage. If you pay a visit at night, you will be amazed by the nostalgic town, ancient bridge and old boats well-lit by red lanterns in an orient setting.
Lingshan Grand Buddha
The tallest bronze statue of Buddha is rising at 88m, sculpted with a sense of serenity. There is another gigantic sculpture depicting the hand of Buddha, exclusively built for prayers. Here, a grand outdoor performance entitled ‘The Blessing of Lingshan’ is thoughtfully curated near Brahma Palace, which is the Buddhism equivalent of cultural art museum.
Food & Beverage
Wuxi Braised Pork Ribs
Wuxi Spareribs is a well-known traditional dish in Wuxi which was invented during the Guangxu Era of the Qing Dynasty. It is prepared with a particular cooking method which results in the spareribs being coated with a light layer of oil without being greasy. It tastes fluffy and fragrant with a nice blend of saltiness and sweetness. The meat of the spareribs is savoury and succulent. It is a must-try dish of Wu Xi.
Huishan Short-crust
This famous snack is a specialty in Huishan Town of Wuxi. It is also nicknamed the “belly button of Vajra” by the locals because of its shape. Its fillings are made of various ingredients such as peach, green plum, dry winter melon strips, and etc. The main characteristic of this snack is its fragrant smell, sweetness as well as crispiness and fluffiness.
"Three White" in Taihu Lake
4,000 years ago, the wife of Pengzu occasionally cut the mutton and stuffed inside a fish caught by her son, Xi Ding, and then stewed the whole dish with mild fire. Fish and Mutton, literally formed the Chinese word: “Fresh”. And this dish has been inherited until today.
Arts & Crafts
Historical Attractions
Huishan Clay Figurine
Huishan clay figurine was invented as early as the Ming Dynasty with a history of more than 400 years. The texture of clay in Huishan is black and sticky, which is perfect for clay figurine making. Huishan clay figurine is divided into two types—mold-printed for folk customs or myths themes and hand-made which is mostly based on characters in Kunqu opera.
Yixing Clay Teapot
Yixing clay teapot is a type of traditional teapot in China. According to legend, it was invented in the Song Dynasty. The pot is made by clay found mainly in Yixing County of Wuxi. It is a local specialty and also an unique hand-crafted pottery in China. It is said that making tea in a Yixing clay teapot enables the tea to retain its colour, fragrance as well as its taste for a longer time.