Wuxi
ChinaCfa
© OpenStreetMap, CARTO
太湖明珠 | The Pearl of Lake Tai
Why visit
Lake Tai (China's third-largest freshwater lake) is the obvious draw, visit Yuantouzhu (Turtle Head Isle) park for cherry blossoms in spring, Lihu (Li Lake) for evening light shows, and the towering 88-meter bronze Lingshan Grand Buddha at Mount Lingshan with its lotus-fountain ceremony. Xihui Park combines Tin Mountain and Hui Mountain with the famous Jichang Garden, model for parts of Beijing's Summer Palace. Wuxi is the gateway for Tang dynasty Yangzhou and the Grand Canal. Try Wuxi-style braised pork ribs (sweet, sticky) and freshwater fish from Taihu, silver fish, white shrimp, hairy crabs in autumn.
When to avoid
Lake Tai has suffered serious algal bloom problems in summer (June to September), swimming is unwise and the smell can be unpleasant near the shore. Plum-rain season in June brings weeks of damp drizzle. Wuxi is less English-friendly than Shanghai or Suzhou, install translation apps and download offline Mandarin. Don't expect 'old China', most of the city is modern high-rise. For water-town atmosphere head to nearby Tongli or Zhouzhuang. Mainland China visa required for most nationalities.