Wuxi travel guide

Wuxi is the second-largest city in Jiangsu Province after Nanjing, and it lies right between Shanghai and Nanjing. The Beijing–Shanghai Railway, the Grand Canal and the Shanghai–Nanjing Expressway form a convenient, fast transport network linking Wuxi with the rest of the country.

Wuxi Sunan Shuofang Airport is 20 km from the city center and currently has scheduled flights to more than 20 cities across China. Airport buses run to Wuxi Railway Station, Suzhou, Zhangjiagang, Jiangyin and other destinations. Boarding is at bus stops 1–9 outside the ground-floor exit of the terminal.

Wuxi → Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Express (fare ¥75)

Departures from Wuxi at 5:20, 6:05, 6:50, 7:50, 8:55, 9:50, 10:50, 11:55, 12:45, 14:00 and 16:05

Departures from Hongqiao at 10:30–20:15, one bus per hour

Wuxi boarding point: Wuxi Bus Station

Railway Station ticket office: 0510-82301217

Wuxi has five high-speed rail stations and two high-speed rail lines (Beijing–Shanghai and Shanghai–Nanjing).

The Shanghai–Nanjing and Xicheng–Jiangyin expressways, along with an extensive network of regular roads, make road travel in Wuxi very convenient.

Long-distance buses from Qiche Bei Bus Station (汽车北站) mainly serve Wuxi's surrounding areas and northern Jiangsu, with another 105 services running to Shanghai.

Qiche Xi Bus Station (汽车西站) mainly runs long-distance and tourist coaches to Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Zhenjiang and Nanjing. The vehicles on these routes are mostly Iveco, Daewoo and Nissan models, comfortable and fast.

Wuxi Passenger Transport Terminal, also known as Zhoushanbang Bus Station, runs long-distance services to southern and northern Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang and Shandong.

From Huzhou in Zhejiang, you can take a tourist boat across Lake Tai to Wuxi. From Suzhou, a passenger boat runs along the Grand Canal to Wuxi. From Zhenjiang or Danyang, you can also take a boat along the Grand Canal to Wuxi.

Wuxi Metro currently has Lines 1, 2, 3, 4 and S1 open. Line 1 links Wuxi Railway Station, Nanchan Temple (南禅寺) and Jiangnan University. Line 2 connects Wuxi East Railway Station (无锡火车东站), Donglin Academy (东林书院) and Meiyuan Kaiyuan Temple (梅园开原寺). Line 3 runs to Shuofang Airport, Line 4 to the Expo Center, and S1 to Jiangyin Bund.

Besides regular routes, Wuxi buses include express lines, night buses and tourist routes. Bus 82 takes you to Three Kingdoms City (三国城) and Water Margin City (水浒城), while Buses 88 and 89 go to Lingshan Grand Buddha Scenic Area (灵山胜境). The Huanli Lake sightseeing route runs only on weekends and public holidays, passing Yuantouzhu, Lihu Park and other scenic spots.

No fuel surcharge. Daytime flagfall is ¥10 for the first 3 km; ¥2.28/km for 3–8 km; and ¥2.85/km beyond 8 km. For a one-way trip, the return-trip fee is an extra 20% for 3–8 km and an extra 50% beyond 8 km.

Public bike rental stations are located across central Wuxi and around Yuantouzhu. Visitors can apply for a Wuxi public bike card.

1. For travel from Wuxi to Shanghai or Nanjing, the train is the most convenient option, as dozens of trains depart from or pass through Wuxi to both cities every day.

2. Tickets can be bought at the railway station ticket windows. If you are in a hurry, use the emergency ticket window. Stations along the Shanghai–Nanjing line allow you to leave Wuxi within one hour.

Shanghai's Public Transport Card can be used on Wuxi buses, and you are charged the local resident rate.

Jichang Garden, next to Xihui Park, is where Emperor Qianlong stayed during his six southern tours to Wuxi. The Xiequ Garden in Beijing's Summer Palace is a replica of it.

1. Most buses are unmanned and charge a flat fare of ¥1 for the whole trip. Pay when boarding; no change is given. Regular public buses have conductors: ¥0.5 for up to 5 stops, and ¥1 for 5 stops or more.

2. Tourist shuttle stops are mainly located at the railway station, bus stations, Xishan Bridge and Liangxi Bridge. Fares for routes to the Lake Tai scenic area are charged by stop, capped at ¥3. The one-day Lake Tai shuttle costs ¥18 per person for a round trip, and the one-day Lingshan shuttle costs ¥22 per person for a round trip.

Wuxi cuisine follows the Su-Xi tradition: light and slightly sweet. Wuxi's xiaolong steamed buns win praise even from people in the Jiangnan region. One bite and you get a sweet, delicate filling and a mouthful of broth. The best-known is the time-honoured Wangxingji, whose flagship store is opposite the Babaiban department store on Zhongshan Road. Sanfengqiao braised pork ribs and Qingshui youmianjin (plain wheat gluten) are items that visitors from north and south alike buy to take home.

Wuxi has a great variety of hotels and guesthouses. Accommodation prices are mid-range by national standards, and there are many options at ¥100–200 that offer good facilities.

Wuxi's Dahufu (Big Blessing) figurines from Huishan, Lake Tai freshwater pearls and Yixing purple clay teapots are all specialties worth bringing home.

Jiankang Road, close to Zhongshan Road; Qingshi Road, known as the European-style Street; the Nanchan Temple Pedestrian Street; and Xueqian Street all sell stylish clothes and small accessories, where young women can find fashionable, affordable items.

Walking along Nanchang Street in Wuxi, you'll find glowing flagstone paths winding through long, narrow alleys where you can still faintly hear the calls of old peddlers. It has a distinctive charm, and the youmianjin (wheat gluten), xiaolong buns and braised pork ribs sold here are very tempting too.

Abroad, the celadon made here is known as the “Oriental sapphire.” Its painted pottery is called “pottery in gorgeous clothing,” and its fine ceramic tableware is praised as “unbreakable porcelain.” Its ceramics, dazzling in colour, are unrivalled in their time and unmatched through the ages.

Wuxi has plenty of places to eat in the evening, at a range of price levels. Local young people usually head to Qingshi Road, the European-style street, which has many eateries serving mostly hotpot and barbecue, along with plenty of bars.