My Journey in China: Lake Tai (Tai Hu)

The highlights of a trip to Wuxi are the scenic Tai Hu (Lake Tai) and the Grand Canal. According to legend the town was established 3,500 years ago as the capital of the Wu Kingdom and was a center for production of tin. When the tin ran dry (Wuxi means “without tin”) the capital moved west, but Wuxi remained significant due to its location on the Grand Canal.

One of the China’s largest lakes, Tai Hu is famous for the rocks, indispensable feature of a traditional garden. The lake’s northern shores are fringed with scenic spots including Mei Yuan (Plum Garden), spectacular in spring when its

4,000 fruit trees blossom. Yuantou Zhu (Turtle Head Peninsula) is a favorite with the Chinese, with tea houses and pretty lake views.

Turtle Head Peninsula, located in the northwest shore of Lake Tai Hu, gets its name because of its huge rocks projecting into lake, appearing as if a swimming turtle tossing its head. It is endowed by nature, with green hills and clear water. Tourists call it “the best resort on Lake Tai Hu” and consider it as the best to enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Tai Hu. The scenic Turtle Head Park was first founded in 1918, and at present it covers an area of 500 hectares. Numerous scenic

spots such as Enveloped Scenic Beauty Temple, Fairy Island on Lake Taihu, Jiangnan Orchid Garden and Sino-Japanese Friendship Cherry Woods.

The Fairy Island on the Lake Taihu, which used to be called the Three-Mount island, is a group of well known islands and islets in the famous scenic spot of Lake Taihu. It lies in the lake and is 2.6 km away from the Turtle Head Peninsula, which is in the northeast shore. The entire islands are made up of the islets such as Daji, Xiaoji, Dongya, Xiya, with a total area of 12 ha. The Three Mount Island looks like a divine tortoise floating quietly

on the water and seems especially graceful and elegant in such a vast and mist-covered lake. On the island, dark green pines and emerald green bamboos, blood red maple leaves, and wreathing brume compose the unique elegant scene. What is more, we resumed the Three Mount Taoist Closter of Wu Taibo period on the island. As one and only Taoist Closter built on the island of the whole country, its traditional Taoism culture of China transforms the Tai Hu Island miraculously into a transcendent and refined wonderland.

The sad thing about Lake Tai Hu is that it is not that good and also you may find difficulty to

reach this place except that you hire a taxi and ask the taxi driver to wait for you. It is better if your travel is arranged by a travel agent.

Xihui Park in the west of town was established in 1958, and houses of the Jichang Yuan garden. At the park’s entrance, a path leads to the Dragon Light Pagoda on top of Xi Shan. A cable car connects Xi Shan to nearby Hui San. The Wuxi Museum has exhibits dating back 6,000 years, and includes some Qing dynasty cannons. If you go to Lake Tai Hu, you can easily see the Xihui Park – Xi Shan including the Pagoda since you will pass Xi Shan.