Wuxi is a city dominated by waterways -- the ring of canals that surround the city, including the main branch of the Grand Canal, and the waters of Lake Taihu, China’s fourth largest lake that extends to the south of the city. In addition to its scenic attractions and role in a regional transport system, the water system supports a flourishing rice agriculture and fisheries. Wuxi was also known in imperial and modern times for its silk textile production, and the nearby town of Yixing is renowned for its “purple-sand” tea-ware pottery.

Wuxi was already settled in the Zhou period (11th-3rd c. BC), as the capital of the Wu kingdom, when it was known as Youxi, “a place having tin.” The current name, meaning “without tin” came into use by the early Han dynasty (2nd-1st c. BC), suggesting the tin deposits used in bronze metallurgy were already played out by that time. The building in the 7th century of the Imperial Grand Canal that passed through the town spurred a revival of its fortunes as a transport center for agricultural products from the surrounding countryside.

Silk weaving was major local industry, and Shanghai industrialists modernized production in the 1930’s. Recent overseas investment has led to a boom in manufacturing. Nearby Lake Tai is the site for a couple of instant tourist attractions: the Tang City and Three Kingdoms outdoor film sets for historical dramas, and a park which holds the world’s tallest Buddha statue (87 m).

Almost the symbol of Wuxi, Yuantouzhou (turtle head isle) Park is located on a turtle-shape peninsula 18 km from downtown Wuxi. Built in 1918, the park contains a mansion, a villa, a garden and a pagoda. In the 1950s, it was renovated into tourist attraction. In the 1980s the park was further expanded to be a viewing site from which you can gaze upon the grand Lake Taihu.

As a poem goes, “If you wish enjoy the full beauty of Lake Taihu, go to the Shutian Pavilion at the summit of Deer Crown Hill.” The garden itself is also worth seeing, with sculptures, pavilion and screens.

The well-known “Garden within a Garden” refers to the Orchild Garden in Yuantouzhu Park, covering an area of 1, 3 hectares. Wuxi has historically been known for its orchid cultivation. Today, it shelters more than 100 orchid species, many of which are rare in the world.

Located in downtown Wuxi, the City Garden covers an area of 3,3 hectares. The earliest park in the modern history of Wuxi, the garden is a place for recreation with pavilions, rockeries, arch bridges and plants. Among the better-known sights are Embroidery Peak, Dragon Mound, the Longevity Building and Villa of Cool Breezes.

As early as in the 5th century B.C, the king of the Wu Kingdom built an alternate palace here. In the 4th century, Wang Xizhi, the King of Calligraphy, lived here for a brief spell.

A non-government cultural institution, the Park of Wu Culture integrates natural surroundings with artistic creation. Located on Xigao Hill, Yangqiao Town, the park was designed by architects from Tongji University in Shanghai and consists of six sections. The first section is devoted to the primitive communal life of Wuxi, the second to local culture, the third to modern economic development, the fourth to customs, the fifth to arts and the sixth to religion.

The local culture section alone has a floor space of 1,650 square meters and is divided into rooms exhibiting early development, local celebrities, various occupations and an ancient courtroom.

An archetype for the Jichang Garden in the Summer Palace of Beijing, the Garden of Ease of Mind in Wuxi is renowned for its exquisite layout and unique artistic tradition of “borrowing scenery”; theat is, it lets the natural scenery complement the works of art.

In the 13th century, the garden was a dormitory for monks. In the late 15th century, a man named Qin Jin bought the premises and converted it into a garden. The Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) visited the park six times during his inspection tours to the south. He loved the garden so much that when he returned Beijing, he ordered a replica garden to be built in the Summer Palace.

The Plum Garden in Wuxi features a display of plum blossoms. With 9 acres of plum trees, the garden was built with the funding of two well-know brother entrepreneurs surnamed Rong. Attractions in the garden include the Pavilion of Heaven’s Center, a memorial pagoda built by the Rong Brothers for their mother and a jade statue of the sleeping Buddha that weighs 7 tons.

The Liyuan Garden, built in 1937, is located by Lake Lihu, Covering an area of 20 acres; the park combines the lake with rockeries to form a harmonious unity. The first scenic spot in the garden is a group of rockeries built around the lake, with a pebble paved path winding through them. The second spot consists of four pavilions named after the four seasons. Peach trees are planted by the Spring Pavilion, oleander by Summer Pavilion, osmanthus by the Autumn Pavilion and plum by the Winter Pavilion. The third area is a causeway flanked with peach blossoms and weeping willows, and the fourth a 289-meter-long corridor featuring calligraphy carved in stone by noted literati.
With an area of 9, 5 square km, Lake Lihu, an inner lagoon of Lake Taihu, derives its name from an interesting legend about an official named Fan Li. As the legend goes, about 2,400 years ago the Wu Kingdom was at war with the Yue Kingdom, which resulted in the defeat and capture of the Yue King. As the Yue Kingdom’s minister, Fan designed a trap for the opponent’s king by luring him with the most beautiful woman in the century. True to Fan’s plans, the king became so infatuated with her that his kingdom, abandoned by its king, fell to the enemy, Fan, so instrumental in the downfall of Wu, declined the offers of high rank and retreated with his beloved. When they arrived at what today is Lake Lihu, they were so enchanted by the scenery that they decided to settle down.

By Lake Taihu there are three theme parks: Tang Town, European Town and the Three-Kingdom Town. These parks serve mainly as settings for films and TV serials.

Tang Town features the culture of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the most prosperous period in Chinese history. European Town houses replicas of the major attractions in Europe, which are including the Temple of Zeus, fountains with sculptures, rural chapels in Norway, Russian manors, Roman both houses, Spanish court-yards and Greek theatres. Inside the Three-Kingdom Town are imitations of Han-Dynasty style palaces, temples, barracks, altars, beacon towers and city gates. In addition, there are more than 20ancient style warships.

The Lishan Mountain in Wuxi shelters many tourist attractions, including the longest fresco in China, and is also a tourist haunt.

Tourists to Wuxi should not miss the Hushan clay figures. Over 400 years old, the Hushan clay art comes in two categories. One consists of toy reproductions of chubby babies and various animals, the most famous of which is the Great Afu (blessings) in human form. The other consists of hand-made figures based on Chinese traditional operas. These products are not only popular in China; they also find a market in over 50 countries and region of the world.

Apart from the Hushan clay figures, Wuxi’s famous staples include gluten, ice fish from Lake Yaihu, silk, honey peaches, red bayberry and Biluochun Tea.
Made from deep-fried wheat bran in vegetable oil, the brown, thin, crispy and tender clusters of gluten are an indispensable ingredient in Wuxi dishes. One famous dish called “gluten with three delicacies” uses gluten. Chinese mushrooms and bamboo shoots.

The honey peaches of Wuxi are so tender that you only need to suck the fresh from them, rather bite into them. Easy to peel and larger than ordinary peaches, their pulp is also juicier and sweeter.

During a visit to Lake Taihu, visitors should also enjoy the Lake Taihu Banquet served on sight-seeing boats along the lake. The banquet’s cuisine dates back to the late Qing Dynasty. Most of the dishes have local fish caught in the lake or fresh poultry.

Special folk attractions in Wuxi include the Mid-Autumn Festival on Lake Taihu, Bell-Striking on the Spring Festival Eve, honeymoon tours, country tours, silk tours and Taihu Art Festival.