# Wuxi travel guide (无锡) Jiangsu Province · East China, China · 14 places Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/destinations/jiangsu/wuxi ## Quick itinerary - **Day 1:** Lingshan Scenic Area → Nianhua Bay (overnight) - **Day 2:** Nianhua Bay → Meiyuan Garden → Li Garden → Yuantouzhu Scenic Area on Lake Taihu → CCTV Wuxi Film and TV Base - **Day 3:** Nanchan Temple → Donglin Academy → Huishan Ancient Town Scenic Area (Xihui Park, Jichang Garden, Huishan Temple) - **Day 4:** Wuxi → Yixing Bamboo Sea → Shanjuan Cave ## The feel of the place - **Newly Emerging:** This word doesn't match Wuxi's history at all, yet more and more shopping malls, such as Yaohan, are replacing old residences, many of which were once homes of notable figures. - **In-Between:** No other phrase captures Wuxi's geographical and cultural character more accurately. Geographically, Wuxi sits right between Shanghai and Nanjing, so Wuxi's young women always chase Shanghai fashion and abandon Nanjing's traditions, which has become a quiet ache for the people of Wuxi. - **Dreamlike Wuxi:** The church on Zhongshan Road catches people lost in urban fashion off guard with its tranquility; the food at Nanchan Temple leaves weary travelers dazzled and delighted; and Nanchang Street, with its locals in T-shirts costing a few yuan and its street-side food stalls, offers a genuine sense of everyday life. Wuxi is elusive and ever-changing, moving from the ordinary to the newly rich, from dream to reality, like a shift through time and space. ## The feel of the place ### The Origin of the Name “Wuxi” According to the Book of Han, during the Zhou and Qin dynasties, Xi Mountain within Wuxi's territory was rich in tin ore, and residents competed to mine it. By the early Han dynasty the tin had been exhausted, hence the name “Wuxi” (“no tin”). ### Preparation and Information ### Language Asking for directions in Wuxi, locals are always warm, but their melodious yet hard-to-understand accents can be frustrating. Younger people generally speak fairly standard Mandarin, so ask them for directions. ### Climate and Travel Season Wuxi always feels damp, and it's suitable for travel year-round, but April to October is the golden season. ## Getting there & around ### Getting There and Around 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. ### By Air 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 Airport Express 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 ### By Train Railway Station ticket office: 0510-82301217 ### High-Speed Rail Wuxi has five high-speed rail stations and two high-speed rail lines (Beijing–Shanghai and Shanghai–Nanjing). ### By Road 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. ### Long-Distance Bus Stations ### Waterway 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. ### Getting Around the City ### Metro 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. ### Buses 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. ### Taxis 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. ### Bicycles Public bike rental stations are located across central Wuxi and around Yuantouzhu. Visitors can apply for a Wuxi public bike card. ### To Shanghai or Nanjing ### Take the Train 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. ### Wuxi Buses Shanghai's Public Transport Card can be used on Wuxi buses, and you are charged the local resident rate. ### Jichang Garden (寄畅园) 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. ### Tourist Shuttle Fares and Stops 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. - **Shanghai boarding point: Hongqiao International Airport** — Domestic departures - **Wuxi Lies on the Beijing–Shanghai Railway** — This is a very busy railway line, with more than 80 express trains a day stopping here, serving destinations across the country. (No. 1 Chezhan Road, Liangxi District, Wuxi City, 火车站问询处0510-83831234) - **Wuxi East Railway Station** — (Ying'an Road, Xishan District, Wuxi City) - **Wuxi Railway Station** — (No. 1 Chezhan Road, Liangxi District, Wuxi City) - **Huishan Station** — (Jingyi Road, Huishan District, Wuxi City) - **Wuxi New District Railway Station** — (No. 80 Zhujiang Road, Xinwu District, Wuxi City) - **Yixing Station** — (Qianzhan Avenue, Meiyuan Village, Dingshu Town, Yixing City) - **Qiche Xi Bus Station (汽车西站)** — (No. 7 Liangqing Road) - **Wuxi Bus Station** — (No. 114 Tonghui East Road, west of the railway station) - **Wuxi Passenger Transport Terminal** — (No. 227 Xichu West Road, 0510-82588188) ## Eat & drink 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. ### Recommended Restaurants - **Wangxingji (Zhongshan Road Branch)** — One of Wuxi's time-honoured establishments. When in Wuxi, you have to try Wangxingji's xiaolong steamed buns, the big ones. Its crab roe xiaolong is truly excellent. It's pricey, but worth it. (No. 223 Zhongshan Road, Liangxi District, 13812056573) - **Maohua Food (Qingyang Road Branch)** — Also known as “jade cakes,” these are fried large meat dumplings. They look ordinary, yet they have won over Wuxi locals. (No. 80-2 Qingyang Road, Liangxi District, 0510-85011961) - **Xisheng Yuan (Wanda Branch)** — Its xiaolongbao are known as “the true taste of Wuxi”: large, thin-skinned and filled with rich, sweet broth and tender meat. Its kaikai wonton (开洋馄饨), red-broth spicy wonton and xiaolongbao are widely agreed to have surpassed those of Wangxingji. (Wanqian Lane 88, Zone A, Wanda Plaza, No. 35 Liangxi Road, Binhu District, 0510-85116707) ## Nightlife 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. ## Shopping Wuxi's Dahufu (Big Blessing) figurines from Huishan, Lake Tai freshwater pearls and Yixing purple clay teapots are all specialties worth bringing home. ### Shopping Spots for Young Women 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. ### Nanchang Street: A Charming Old Lane 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. ### Pottery Hub: Dingshu Town 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. ## Where to stay 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. - **Hanting Hotel (South Plaza of Wuxi Railway Station)** — (No. 60 Hanchang North Street, 0510-82320999-0) ## Things to see - **Huishan Ancient Town** (★★★★): Admission Huishan Ancient Town combined ticket ¥70 (Historic Relics Area + Xi-Hui Scenic Area); Opening hours 8：00—16：00; Time needed 3–6 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/huishan-ancient-town - **Li Garden** (★★★★): Admission Entry ¥30, or entry + antique-style sightseeing boat ¥60 (off-season); entry ¥45, or entry + boat ¥70 (peak season); Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/li-garden - **Donglin Academy** (★★★★): Admission Free admission; the academy opens for night visits during summer (8:30–21:00); Opening hours 9：00—17：00; Time needed 1–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/donglin-academy - **Yuantouzhu Scenic Area** (★★★★): Admission ¥90; ferry fares vary; Opening hours 8：00—16：30; Time needed 3–6 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/yuantouzhu-scenic-area - **Wuxi Film and Television Base** (★★★★): Admission ¥90 for Three Kingdoms City, ¥85 for Water Margin City, ¥175 combined ticket for both cities; Opening hours 8：00—17：30; Time needed 1 day — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/wuxi-film-and-television-base - **Lingshan Grand Buddha** (★★★★): Admission Adult tickets from ¥210 for Lingshan Scenic Area; Opening hours 8:00–17:30 (summer); 8:00–17:00 (winter); Time needed 1–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/lingshan-grand-buddha - **Lingshan Brahma Palace Scenic Area** (★★★★): Admission Combined ticket ¥210 (joint ticket with Lingshan Grand Buddha Scenic Area); Opening hours 9:00–17:30 (9:30–16:30 for the Brahma Palace Treasure Hall) — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/lingshan-brahma-palace-scenic-area - **Nianhua Bay** (★★★): Admission ¥150; free entry for guests staying within Nianhua Bay; Opening hours 9:00–21:00 (Sunday–Thursday); 9:00–21:30 (Friday–Saturday); Time needed 3–5 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/nianhua-bay - **Wuxi Plum Garden** (★★★): Admission ¥80; Opening hours 7：00—17：00; Time needed 2–4 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/wuxi-plum-garden - **Nanchan Temple Scenic Area** (★★★): Admission Free; Opening hours 7:00–17:00 (on the 1st and 15th of the lunar month, incense days, the mountain gate opens at 4:30); Time needed 1–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/nanchan-temple-scenic-area - **Qingming Bridge Ancient Canal** (★★★): Admission Free; Time needed 1 hour — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/qingming-bridge-ancient-canal ## Day trips & beyond - **Yixing Bamboo Sea Scenic Area** (★★★★): Admission ¥80; Opening hours 8：00—16：30; Time needed 1–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/yixing-bamboo-sea-scenic-area - **Dangkou Ancient Town** (★★★★): Admission Free entry to the town; one-way boat ticket ¥30; Time needed 3–5 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/dangkou-ancient-town - **Shanjuan Cave Scenic Area** (★★★★): Admission Combined ticket ¥110 (includes the Wild Man Valley show, cave, underground river boat ride, cable-car slide, Yuantong Pavilion, Liang Zhu Garden opera performance and pottery workshop); Opening hours 7:30–17:00 (April–October); 8:00–16:30 (November–March); Time needed 3–5 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/shanjuan-cave-scenic-area --- Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 1073–1089. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.