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- Wuxi - The city in a Landscape
 Standing on the edge of Lake Tai, Wuxi is one of the oldest cities in China. Its name Wuxi, literally meaning 'No Tin' in Chinese, derives from its depleted deposit of tin. Wuxi is famous for the beautiful Lake Tai, the ancient Grand Canal, gardens, silk and pearl. For tourists visiting Shanghai or Suzhou, Wuxi is a convenient stop.
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Wuxi City Ratings
- ** The
following ratings are based on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the
best.
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| Recommended
Days of Stay: 1 |
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- Quick Facts
- Population - 4.2 million
- When to go
- Coldest Months: January, with temperature as low as -4C;
Hottest Months: July, with temperature as high as 38C;
Annual Precipitation : 1056 millimeters (mainly in June)
- Getting In and Out
- By Train - Wuxi can be reached by train in half an hour from Suzhou and in one and half hours from Shanghai.
By Bus - Wuxi is about one hour away from Wuxi and two hours from Shangahi by bus.
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History
Wuxi's origin dates back to the Han Dynasty 3000 years ago. In around 200 BC the town was named 'Youxi', which means 'with tin', after the reserves of the metal tin nearby. Later when its deposit ran out, the city was renamed to 'Wu Xi', which means 'No Tin' in Chinese. Since the seventh century, Wuxi has benefited from the Grand Canal running through the city. In the early 20C Wuxi became a center for silk production. With its beautiful Lake Tai, Wuxi is today a popular tourist spot.
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Art
- Attachment to Freedom Garden (Jichang Yuan) * * *
- The Attachment to Freedom Garden (Jichang Yuan) is one of the most beautiful gardens in China. It was built in 1520 by a retired official on the original site of a Buddhist Temple. Qing Emperor was so impressed with the garden that he commissioned a copy of it for the Summer Palace in Beijing. The garden, centered on water surrounded by covered walks and verandahs, is of typical southern style. The high vantage point in the Jichang Yuan looks over the surrounding Xihui Park, making it the "borrowed view" of this small garden, a fundamental "expansion" technique of Chinese garden design.
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Nature/Scenic
- Xihui Park * * * * *
- Bordered on the east by the Grand Canal, Xihui Park is a major attraction in downtown Wuxi. The seven-story Dragon Light (Long Guang) Pagoda in the park was first built during the Ming Dynasty.
- Grand Canal Boat Tour * * * *
- The three-hour day-time boat tour along the Grand Canal is worthwhile.
- Plum Garden (Mei Yuan) * * * *
- Plum Garden is beautiful in early spring when the plum trees blossom. In the fall the garden features wonderfully scented cassia bushes.
- Turtle Head Isle (Yuantouzhu)
- Turtle Head Isle is a turtle-shaped peninsula that juts into the Lake Tai. The garden turned park today features teahouses and pavilions, offering a fine view of the lake.
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Food/ Shopping
- Antique shopping
- Nanchan Temple
- Shopping for Unique Local Products
- Wuxi Clay Figurine Research Institute
Orient Pearls and Jewels Co.
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Religion
- Standing Buddha * * *
- Standing 101.5 meters high and made of 760 tons of bronze, the Standing Buddha is not only a religious symbol but also a showcase of magnificent workmanship. Located twenty km southwest of the city on the other side of Lake Tai, the Standing Buddha is worth a visit.
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Adventure/Sports
- The Three Kingdoms * *
- The Three Kingdoms is a theme park based on the classical Chinese novel The Three Kingdoms, which happened in the surrounding area. All buildings and the waterfront are reproductions of famous sites from the original book. The most interesting part of the park is the twenty miniature warships from which flames explode from time to time. The park also features a show with horses and fighting riders.
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