Wuxi Hotels

With a history that dates back more than 3,000 years, however, Wuxi is more than just another cog in the monolithic machine that is the new People’s Republic of China economy. Yes, the prefecture-level city is vast, with more than 6 million people spread out over 9 separate county-level city and district divisions. Yet within and beyond the new symbols of modern development and progress, from labyrinthine highways and steel and glass skyscrapers to hydro-electric dams and high-speed rail lines, lie scatterings of handsome scenery and venerable points of interest.

The old core of Wuxi, for one, contains part of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. Barge traffic still navigates the waterway to this day. Temples, pagodas and gardens encircle vital Lake Tai and, outside the city proper, landmarks like Huishan, Shan Juan Cave and the Grand Buddha at Ling Shan impress. As such, like so much of urban China, Wuxi is a telltale, extraordinary study of contrasts.

WUXI’S TOP 10

WUXI EVENTS

The annual Wu Cultural Festival takes place in April and is arguably the most important event in Wuxi.

The Ecological Tourism Festival of Wuxi seeks to foster responsible and sustainable travel within Jiangsu province at large.

WHEN TO GO

Like much of the rest of humid subtropical China, Wuxi experiences wide fluctuations in weather from winter to summer. Temperatures between June and September waver between 66°F (19°C) and 91°F (33°C) and bring oppressive to the Jiangsu city.

Winter weather, on the other hand, dips well below the 32°F (0°C) windchill mark and features sporadic snowfall.

The obvious consensus, as with most of the urban People’s Republic, is that the months of April, May, October and November provide the most amenable refuge from the elements, certainly from a respiratory and comfort point of view.

GETTING AROUND

Sunan Shuofang International Airport is relatively new and links to the likes of Beijing-Capital, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Tokyo-Narita and Taipei-Taoyuan.

Thanks to the swift build-up of a high-speed quasi-national rail network, the trip from Shanghai to Wuxi now takes a zippy 45 minutes. The conventional train, however, completes the journey in comparable time.

Taxis abound in Wuxi and the city operates a very decent tourist bus. The regular bus system is quite reliable as well.

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