Tourism in Wuxi, the Minor Shanghai
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Initiated by Eastern China's city of Wuxi, China will soon have its own national Tourism Day. Though the exact date is yet to be decided, increasing support backs the third day of the third lunar month in honor of the great Chinese traveler Xu Jiake, who lived some 400 years ago. This date is when Xu started his famous journey around the country, and it is also the Tourism Day of Wuxi, the nearest big city to the birthplace of the great traveler in Jiangyin in Zhejiang Province.
Just 130 kilometers west of Shanghai, Wuxi is located on one of the most fertile pieces of land between the Yangtze River and the Taihu Lake. Known in ancient times as a Town of Fish and Rice, Wuxi boasts abundant aquatic and agricultural resources and is dubbed Minor Shanghai for its affluent lifestyles. With outstanding natural beauty and a history of 3,000 years, Wuxi is one of the top ten tourism cities in China, attracting millions of visitors from home and abroad each year.
One of its most popular attractions, the Lihu Lake, is where the city's biggest ecological park is located. The lake got its name after the ancient scholar Fan Li, who lived some 2,500 years ago, and his girlfriend, Xishi, known as one of the top four beauties in Chinese history.
The park features dozens of scenic spots, both natural and manmade, that are open to tourists free of charge.
Xiao Zhao is a tourist from Hangzhou, the provincial capital. She says she is most impressed by the night landscapes at the lake.
"The lake looks extremely attractive at night when the colorful neon lights reflect on the water. The giant Ferris wheel over there is clearly seen and it is marvelous."
Xiao Zhou, a local resident, says this is his favorite place for leisure.
"I like everything here, especially the fresh air. I come here two or three times a week, usually at night after supper. It's a great place to relax after a day's work."
Lao Zhang, a tourist from Shanghai, is also enjoying the night scenery at the park.
"I especially like it here in the evening, when the heat is gone and the air is filled with cool and gentle breezes. It's a good place for people to take a walk after dinner."
After enjoying the night scenery, you might be hungry for some snacks to replenish you. The Qingshi Food Street is a great place to soothe the craving for delicious food and spend the rest of the night.
