Attractions · Wuxi

Yuantouzhu is a peninsula on the north-western shore of Taihu Lake in Wuxi, named for a huge rock that juts into the lake in the shape of a turtle raising its head. The scenic area stretches along the north-western shore and includes Chongshan, Luding Mountain and other zones, where natural scenery and cultural sights set each other off. Every March–April, thousands of cherry trees bloom in Yuantouzhu's Cherry Blossom Valley, forming a spectacular sea of pink flowers and earning the name 'China's foremost cherry-blossom viewing spot'. The area also has the Taihu Immortal Island, Hengyun Restaurant and Hengyun Villa. Highlights include the Luding Mountain viewing platform. Tip: in cherry blossom season (mid-March to early April) the crowds are huge; go on a weekday or early in the morning. Practical info: located at No. 1 Yuanzhu Road, Binhu District, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province; ticket ¥90 (peak season); opening hours 08:00–17:30. Best season: spring (Mar–May) brings cherry blossoms to Yuantouzhu; autumn (Sep–Nov) brings fat Taihu crabs and golden chrysanthemums.

Tip: In cherry blossom season (mid-March to early April) the crowds are huge; go on a weekday or early in the morni…

• Address: No. 1 Yuanzhu Road, Binhu District, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province
• Ticket: ¥90 (peak season)
• Opening: 08:00–17:30

Nianhua Bay is on the Mashan Peninsula in Wuxi. Opened in 2015, it is themed on 'Zen living'; the buildings draw on Tang and Song styles, with white walls, timber frames, thatched roofs and dry-landscape courtyards spreading along the valley. The town includes the Nianhua Pagoda, Five Lantern Lake, Brahma Flower Sea and Deer Call Valley. By day visitors can try sutra copying, flower arranging and crafts; at night there is a pagoda lighting ceremony, water performances and a drone light show. Highlights include the night lights and drone show. Tip: enter in the afternoon, browse the shops by day and watch the pagoda lighting at dusk; staying inside the scenic area avoids a second entry; weekends and holidays are busy, so go off-peak if you can. Practical info: located at 68 Huan Shan West Road, Mashan, Binhu District, Wuxi; ticket ¥120; opening hours 09:00–21:00 (evening sessions subject to the day's notice).

Tip: Enter in the afternoon, browse the shops by day and watch the pagoda lighting at dusk; staying inside the scen…

• Address: 68 Huan Shan West Road, Mashan, Binhu District, Wuxi
• Ticket: ¥120
• Opening: 09:00–21:00 (evening sessions subject to the day's notice)

Lingshan Scenic Area is on the Mashan Peninsula by Taihu Lake and is a national 5A scenic area. The Lingshan Grand Buddha is 88 m high, one of the world's tallest bronze standing statues of Sakyamuni. The Lingshan Brahma Palace in the scenic area is a summation of Eastern Buddhist art, resplendent and grand. The Nine-Dragon Water-Sprinkling Buddha performance is staged daily at set times, recreating the auspicious scene of the Buddha's birth. Highlights include the Five-Seal Mandala. Tip: the scenic area is large; allow half a day. Practical info: located on Lingshan Road, Mashan Town, Binhu District, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province; ticket ¥210; opening hours 07:00–17:30. Best season: spring (Mar–May) brings cherry blossoms to Yuantouzhu; autumn (Sep–Nov) brings fat Taihu crabs and golden chrysanthemums. Pair with Wuxi's Yuantouzhu, Nianhua Bay and Huishan Ancient Town for a half- or full-day itinerary. It can be combined with Yuantouzhu (Turtle Head Peninsula), Nianhua Bay, Huishan Ancient Town in Wuxi for a half- or full-day itinerary.

Tip: The scenic area is large; allow half a day.

• Address: Lingshan Road, Mashan Town, Binhu District, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province
• Ticket: ¥210
• Opening: 07:00–17:30

Huishan Ancient Town is a historically important old town in Wuxi, famous for its dense cluster of ancestral halls — more than a hundred in all, a living fossil of Chinese ancestral hall culture. The town is built along Tin Hill and the Hui River, with winding bluestone paths and many clay-figurine workshops; Huishan clay figurines are a famous Wuxi intangible cultural heritage craft. Jichang Garden is one of the four great gardens of Jiangnan, and Kangxi and Qianlong visited it on all six of their southern tours. Highlights include Huishan Clay Figurine Street and the Second Spring Under Heaven. Tip: the old town is free, but some ancestral halls require tickets. Practical info: located at No. 18 Baoshan Street, Liangxi District, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province; free admission (combo ticket for some ancestral halls); open all day. Best season: spring (Mar–May) brings cherry blossoms to Yuantouzhu; autumn (Sep–Nov) brings fat Taihu crabs and golden chrysanthemums. Allow 2?3 hours and combine Jichang Garden with the Huishan clay-figurine museum.

Tip: The old town is free, but some ancestral halls require tickets.

• Address: No. 18 Baoshan Street, Liangxi District, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province
• Ticket: Free (combo ticket for some ancestral halls)
• Opening: Open all day

Li Garden is on the northern shore of Li Lake. Legend says that in the Spring and Autumn period Fan Li and Xi Shi once drifted here. The garden is finely laid out and known for its water scenery, with a waterside corridor, rockeries and a lotus pond arranged in graceful disorder. The garden has the Hundred Flowers Mountain House, the Four Seasons Pavilion and Spring Dawn on the South Bank, and is one of Wuxi's most beautiful classical gardens. Li Lake is larger than West Lake, and its lake and hill scenery is very charming. Highlights include the Li Lake viewing platform. Tip: Li Garden is relatively quiet and suited to slow wandering. Practical info: located at No. 70 Qingqi Village, Binhu District, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province; ticket ¥45; opening hours 07:30–17:30. Best season: spring (Mar–May) brings cherry blossoms to Yuantouzhu; autumn (Sep–Nov) brings fat Taihu crabs and golden chrysanthemums. Pair with Wuxi's Yuantouzhu, Nianhua Bay and Lingshan Scenic Area for a half- or full-day itinerary. Check the day's opening and reservation policy before setting out, and allow enough time. It can be combined with Yuantouzhu (Turtle Head Peninsula), Nianhua Bay, Lingshan Scenic Area in Wuxi for a half- or full-day itinerary.

• Address: No. 70 Qingqi Village, Binhu District, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province
• Ticket: ¥45
• Opening: 07:30–17:30