Taihu Yuantouzhu Scenic Area is located in Binhu District, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and one of the core attractions of the Taihu Lake Scenic Area. The total area of the scenic area is approximately 5.39 square kilometers, with water areas accounting for about 30%. It gets its name "Yuantouzhu" because a huge stone protrudes into the lake, shaped like a floating soft-shelled turtle raising its head. As the essence of Taihu Lake's scenery, the scenic area features "mountains that are not high but elegant, and waters that are not deep but vast". It integrates natural landscapes with cultural attractions, boasting both the natural beauty of lakes and mountains, and man-made structures such as pavilions, towers, halls, ancestral temples, and temples built over the dynasties. The highest altitude in the scenic area is about 120 meters, covering mainly areas such as Yuantouzhu Peninsula, Taihu Lake Fairy Island, and Zhongdu Mountain. It is an excellent place to watch the sunrise over Taihu Lake and the blooming cherry blossoms, attracting millions of visitors every year.
History and Culture
The development history of Taihu Lake Yuantouzhu can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty, when people had already built pavilions and towers here as places for viewing and resting. During the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, Yang Hanxi, a gentry from Wuxi, purchased land here to build gardens, successively constructing buildings such as "Hengyun Villa", which laid the foundation for the scenic area. The stone inscription "Baoyun Wuyue" (Embracing Wu and Yue) left on the huge stone of Yuantouzhu still exists today, demonstrating the magnificent momentum of Taihu Lake spanning the Wu and Yue regions.
Since the 20th century, the scenic area has been continuously expanded, absorbing the gardening techniques of Jiangnan gardens and skillfully combining natural landscapes with artificial buildings. The modern literati Guo Moruo once visited here and left the poem "The most wonderful place of Taihu Lake is indeed at Yuantou", making Yuantouzhu's reputation as "the most wonderful place of Taihu Lake" widely known. In addition, the "cherry blossom culture" in the scenic area has a history of nearly a hundred years. Since the introduction of cherry blossoms in the 1930s, it has now formed a ten-thousand-mu cherry blossom garden, becoming one of the three major cherry blossom viewing spots in the world. The annual spring cherry blossom festival has become a landmark cultural event in Wuxi.
Main Attractions
Yuantouzhu Core Scenic Area
Yuantouzhu Core Scenic Area is located at the front end of the peninsula and is the essence of the entire scenic area. Here, huge stones stand by the lake, allowing close-up views of the shimmering surface of Taihu Lake and the distant rolling mountains. The core area features iconic landscapes such as the "Yuantouzhu" stone carving, the "Baoyun Wuyue" inscription, and the Zhenze Divine Turtle sculpture. Among them, the "Yuantouzhu" stone carving, made in the Qing Dynasty, has vigorous and forceful characters. Surrounding it are buildings such as Chenglan Hall, Feiyun Pavilion, and Songfen Hall, all built from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the Republic of China period, reflecting the exquisite and elegant style of Jiangnan architecture. In spring, cherry blossoms surround here, reflecting with the lake water, forming a stunning picture.
Taihu Lake Fairy Island
Taihu Lake Fairy Island, originally named "Sanshan Island", is located in Taihu Lake about 2.6 kilometers southeast of Yuantouzhu, with an area of approximately 0.12 square kilometers. It can be reached by taking a cruise ship (round-trip ticket price is 60 yuan per person). The island is themed on Taoist culture, with buildings such as Huixian Bridge, Yuelao Temple, and Tiandu Immortal Mansion. Among them, Tiandu Immortal Mansion enshrines Taoist gods and has a strong incense. The Lingxiao Palace on the top of the island is about 20 meters high, being the highest point of the fairy island. Climbing the tower allows a 360-degree panoramic view of Taihu Lake. The island is also dotted with a large number of Taihu stones with peculiar shapes, which together with pavilions and towers form the artistic conception of "fairy mountains and jade pavilions", hence the name "Taihu Lake Fairy Island".
Cherry Blossom Valley
Cherry Blossom Valley is located in the northwest of Yuantouzhu Scenic Area, covering an area of about 200,000 square meters, and is the most densely planted area of cherry blossoms in the scenic area. It has more than 30,000 cherry trees of over 30 varieties, including Somei Yoshino, Kanzan, early cherry blossoms, and late cherry blossoms, many of which are over a hundred years old. Facilities such as Cherry Blossom Avenue, Cherry Blossom Viewing Pavilion, and Cherry Blossom Post Office have been built in the valley. When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom from mid-March to early April every year, the entire valley is covered with a sea of pink and white flowers, with a flowering period of about 20 days. At night, a "night cherry" light show is held, where lights and cherry blossoms complement each other, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
Chongshan Yinxiu
Chongshan Yinxiu is the entrance area of Yuantouzhu Scenic Area, mainly featuring natural mountains and garden landscapes, covering an area of about 800,000 square meters. It is shaded by green trees and has gurgling streams, with landscapes such as Cuihu Lake, Xuelang Pavilion, and Caowan. Among them, Cuihu Lake covers an area of about 12,000 square meters, with clear water reflecting the surrounding trees and pavilions, making it a good place for summer cooling. The architectural style of Chongshan Yinxiu is low-key and restrained, embodying the characteristics of "seclusion" and "elegance", integrating with the natural environment, and serving as a transitional area for visitors to feel the quiet atmosphere after entering the scenic area.
Dushan Scenic Area
Dushan Scenic Area is located on Zhongdu Mountain between Yuantouzhu and Taihu Lake Fairy Island, covering an area of about 0.4 square kilometers. It is connected to the land via Dushan Bridge. The scenic area mainly focuses on leisure and vacation, with facilities such as Taihu Lake Sanatorium and resorts. At the same time, it preserves some historical relics, such as the Dushan Battery Site from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, which serves as physical evidence for studying the military history of the Taihu Lake region. The lake here is wide and open, making it one of the best spots to watch the sunset over Taihu Lake. In the evening, the afterglow of the setting sun spreads across the lake's surface, glistening with ripples, presenting a breathtakingly beautiful scene.
Cuisine
Three Whites of Taihu Lake
The Three Whites of Taihu Lake refer to white fish, silver fish, and white shrimp in Taihu Lake, which are the most characteristic lake delicacies around Yuantouzhu. White fish has a slender body and tender meat, suitable for steaming, with a portion costing about 80-120 yuan; silver fish is transparent all over, boneless and spineless, often used for scrambled eggs or making silver fish soup, with a portion of scrambled eggs with silver fish costing about 40-60 yuan; white shrimp has a thin and soft shell and sweet meat, which can be boiled or drunk, with a portion costing about 60-90 yuan. They can be tasted in restaurants in the scenic area such as Hengyun Restaurant and Yuantouzhu Restaurant. The Three Whites of Taihu Lake are the most plump in spring and autumn.
Wuxi Braised Pork Ribs
Wuxi braised pork ribs are a local traditional famous dish, which can be eaten in time-honored restaurants around Yuantouzhu Scenic Area (such as Sanfeng Bridge and Lugaojian branches). This dish uses pork ribs, braised with seasonings such as soy sauce, sugar, and rice wine for several hours, with tender meat and rich sweet sauce, a portion costing about 50-80 yuan. As one of Wuxi's "three famous products", its sweet and salty taste is loved by tourists and is also a good gift for relatives and friends.
Cherry Blossom Pastries
Cherry blossom pastries are characteristic foods during the Yuantouzhu Cherry Blossom Festival, including cherry blossom crisps, cherry blossom cakes, cherry blossom daifuku, etc. Cherry blossom crisps have a flour crust, filled with red bean paste, with cherry blossom patterns printed on the surface, crispy in taste, with 6 pieces in a portion costing about 30 yuan; cherry blossom daifuku is wrapped with cream and cherry blossom filling in glutinous rice skin, soft and sweet, with each costing about 8 yuan. These pastries are sold in the Cherry Blossom Post Office and food street in the scenic area, with a strong seasonal characteristic.
Tickets
The ticket price is 85 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "无锡市太湖鼋头渚风景区" to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
It is open all year round, with daily opening hours from 8:00 to 17:30 (admission stops at 16:30). During the Cherry Blossom Festival (mid-March to early April), the opening hours are extended to 21:00 (admission stops at 20:30) to facilitate visitors to watch the night cherry blossoms. The cruise ship operates from 8:30 to 16:00 (once every 30 minutes), and the last cruise ship is extended to 18:00 during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Some amusement facilities may have shortened operating hours in winter (December-February), please refer to the on-site notice of the scenic area for details.
Tour Routes
One-Day Essence Tour
Arrive at the entrance of the scenic area at 8:30 a.m., walk along Chongshan Yinxiu to Cherry Blossom Valley (a key area for cherry blossom viewing in spring), and visit for about 1 hour; go to Yuantouzhu Core Scenic Area at 9:30, watch the "Yuantouzhu" stone carving and "Baoyun Wuyue" inscription, rest and view the scenery in Chenglan Hall, taking about 1.5 hours; have lunch at Hengyun Restaurant at 11:00, tasting the Three Whites of Taihu Lake; go to the cruise ship pier at 12:30, take the 13:00 cruise ship to Taihu Lake Fairy Island, visit Huixian Bridge, Tiandu Immortal Mansion, and Lingxiao Palace after landing on the island, taking about 2 hours; return by ship at 15:30; visit Dushan Scenic Area at 16:00, waiting to watch the sunset over Taihu Lake; end the trip at 17:30.
In-Depth Tour During Cherry Blossom Festival
Morning of the first day: Visit Yuantouzhu Core Scenic Area and surrounding pavilions and buildings to learn about history and culture; have lunch in the scenic area; go to Taihu Lake Fairy Island in the afternoon to experience Taoist culture and lake scenery; return in the evening to enjoy the late cherry blossoms in Cherry Blossom Valley and stay in a hotel near the scenic area. Morning of the second day: Get up early to watch the sunrise over Taihu Lake in Yuantouzhu Core Scenic Area; then enter Cherry Blossom Valley again to take photos of cherry blossoms in the morning light; taste characteristic foods such as cherry blossom pastries at noon; visit Chongshan Yinxiu in the afternoon to feel the natural landscape; end the trip before 16:00. This route is suitable for tourists who come specially to view cherry blossoms during the cherry blossom season, allowing them to fully experience the beauty of cherry blossoms at different times.
Transportation
- Bus: In Wuxi City, you can take Bus No. 1, Happy Tour Line 1, or 72 to "Yuantouzhu (Chongshan) Station", then walk about 5 minutes to enter the scenic area. The bus fare is 2 yuan per person, and the operating hours are from 6:00 to 21:00 (extended to 22:00 during the Cherry Blossom Festival).
- Self-driving: Starting from downtown Wuxi, drive southwest along Huanhu Road to the scenic area parking lot, with a driving time of about 30 minutes; starting from Suzhou, take G15W Changtai Expressway and transfer to Huan Taihu Road, with a driving time of about 1.5 hours. The parking fee of the scenic area parking lot is 5 yuan per hour, and temporary parking lots are added during the Cherry Blossom Festival, with a fee of 10 yuan per time.
- Subway + Bus: Take Wuxi Metro Line 1 to "Nanchansi Station", then transfer to Bus No. 1 to reach the scenic area directly; or take Metro Line 2 to "Heliekou Station", then transfer to Bus No. 72, with a total journey of about 1 hour, and the subway fare is 2-4 yuan.
- Tourist special line: There are direct tourist buses from Wuxi Railway Station Square to Yuantouzhu, with a fare of 5 yuan per person. The departure time is from 7:00 to 17:00, once every 30 minutes.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Yuantouzhu Core Scenic Area: The iconic area of the scenic area. The "Yuantouzhu" stone carving and "Baoyun Wuyue" inscription are must-check-in spots. You can watch the scenery of Taihu Lake up close, and the view of cherry blossoms reflecting with the lake water in spring is absolutely wonderful.
- Cherry Blossom Valley: A sea of flowers composed of 30,000 cherry trees. The best viewing period is from mid-March to early April, and the night light show is not to be missed. It is one of the three major cherry blossom viewing spots in the world.
- Taihu Lake Fairy Island: A Taoist cultural island in Taihu Lake, which can be reached by cruise ship. The Lingxiao Palace on the island offers a panoramic view of Taihu Lake, and Huixian Bridge and Yuelao Temple are full of mythological colors, suitable for taking photos as a souvenir.
- Dushan Scenic Area: The best place to watch the sunset over Taihu Lake. In the evening, the setting sun and the lake surface complement each other, with a magnificent view. At the same time, you can visit the historic Dushan Battery Site.
Travel Suggestions
- The best season to visit is spring (March-April), when you can enjoy the beauty of cherry blossoms in full bloom. The next best is autumn (September-October), with cool weather that is suitable for a tour around the lake.
- There are many tourists during the Cherry Blossom Festival. It is recommended to travel during off-peak hours, choose working days or enter the park in the early morning to avoid crowds; if you plan to watch the night cherry blossoms, you can enter the park in the afternoon to visit both day and night scenery at one time.
- The scenic area is large, so it is recommended to combine walking with sightseeing buses. The full-way pass for sightseeing buses is 50 yuan per person, which can stop at major attractions, saving energy.
- It is recommended to choose Hengyun Restaurant in the scenic area to taste the Three Whites of Taihu Lake. Although the price is slightly higher, the ingredients are fresh, and you can taste the authentic flavor of lake delicacies, with a per capita consumption of about 100-150 yuan.
- Photography suggestions: Take photos of the sunrise over Taihu Lake in Yuantouzhu Core Scenic Area in the early morning; take portraits on Cherry Blossom Avenue in Cherry Blossom Valley during the cherry blossom season; climb Lingxiao Palace on Taihu Lake Fairy Island to take a panoramic view of Taihu Lake.
Notes
- The cruise ships to Taihu Lake Fairy Island are greatly affected by the weather. They may be suspended in case of bad weather such as strong winds and heavy rains. Please check the weather forecast or consult the scenic area before traveling.
- Some areas in the scenic area have no guardrails along the lake. When visiting, take good care of the elderly and children, and do not get close to dangerous areas by the lake.
- There is a large flow of people during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Please take good care of your personal belongings and avoid staying in crowded places for too long to prevent getting lost.
- Picking cherry blossoms and littering are prohibited in the scenic area. Please protect the environment and abide by the regulations of the scenic area; smoking is only allowed in designated areas.
- There are many mosquitoes by Taihu Lake in summer. It is recommended to bring mosquito repellent; the temperature difference between morning and evening is large in spring and autumn, so you need to prepare a coat; the wind on the lake is strong in winter, so pay attention to wind protection and keep warm.
- Self-driving tourists are advised to arrive as early as possible during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Parking spaces in the scenic area are limited. They can choose to park in the surrounding temporary parking lots and then take the free shuttle bus to enter the scenic area.