foodie paradise dont miss these delicacies in wuxi

Wuxi is a picturesque place nestled between mountains and lakes, home to the Grand Buddha at Lingshan. Yuantouzhu, the ancient Grand Canal, and Xihui Park are highlights of Wuxi, but not all it has to offer. For garden beauty, there are Jichang Garden, Li Garden, and Plum Garden; for historical depth, there are the Second Spring Under Heaven, Xue Fucheng's Former Residence, and Nanchan Temple. For food, there are Wuxi Soup Dumplings, Three Fresh Wontons, Wuxi Sauce Ribs, and more. Only by visiting Wuxi can one truly appreciate its charm.

Friends who have completed the Wuxi Marathon should not miss out on Wuxi's delicious food and beautiful scenery. Today, we will list some must-visit attractions and must-try foods for runners.

Wuxi Cuisine

Wuxi belongs to the Su Cuisine of the 'Four Major Cuisines and Eight Culinary Schools,' known for its lighter and sweeter flavors compared to northern cuisine.The 'Nanmendou Shang Food Street' near Nanchan Temple represents 'Old Wuxi,' featuring famous restaurants and street snacks to meet various needs. Hubin Road Commercial Street gathers over 1,200 dining and entertainment shops, making it Wuxi's largest 'foodie district.' Other notable food streets include Chong'an Temple Pedestrian Street, Qingshi Road European Style Street, Dacheng Lane Food Street, and Xindi Holiday Plaza.

Wuxi Soup Dumplings

Wuxi locals call soup dumplings 'Xiaolong Mantou.' The most famous Wuxi snack is the soup dumpling. Unlike others, Wuxi soup dumplings have a sweet filling with soy sauce, giving the filling a soy sauce color, and the dough is fermented. In autumn, crab roe is added to the filling, making 'Crab Roe Soup Dumplings' irresistible. Wang Xing Ji is well-known, but locals prefer Xi Sheng Yuan, and Yi Qin Yuan's Crab Roe Soup Dumplings were featured on 'A Bite of China.'

Sauce Ribs

Wuxi Ribs, traditionally called 'Wuxi Meat Bones,' use only 7-8 pounds of ribs from a pig, cooked with soy sauce, white sugar, yellow wine, scallions, ginger, fennel, cloves, and cinnamon for two hours. The ribs are reddish-brown, sweet and savory, with a rich, flavorful sauce. You can enjoy them in a restaurant or eat them on the go like a local.

Wontons

Wontons are a popular and affordable food in China, and Wuxi is no exception. The most famous is the 'Kaiyang Wonton,' with a fresh broth, smooth skin, and delicious filling, often accompanied by dried shrimp and pickled vegetables. They come in various styles, including soup, dry-mixed, and spicy red broth.Hand-Pushed Wontons are another Wuxi specialty, with soft and chewy skins. Unlike Kaiyang Wontons, they are usually served dry-mixed.

Wuxi Three Whites

One of Wuxi's three culinary treasures, the 'Three Whites' of Taihu Lake include silverfish, white shrimp, and whitefish. Dishes made from these ingredients emphasize freshness and are best cooked by the water or on a boat. Common cooking methods include steaming and boiling to preserve the original flavors. Dishes like 'Crystal Big Shrimp' and 'Wine-Fried Whitefish' feature the Three Whites.

Taihu Boat Cuisine

Taihu Boat Cuisine, with a history of 2,500 years, is an intangible cultural heritage of Wuxi. Unlike traditional boat dining, most are now enjoyed in boat-themed restaurants by the shore. The dishes use seasonal lake seafood, finely prepared with various cooking methods, known for their vibrant, tender, and flavorful characteristics. The most popular dishes include the Wuxi Three Whites.

Tofu Pudding

Tofu Pudding is a famous Wuxi snack, tender and hot. It is served with soy sauce, scallions, seaweed, dried shrimp, pickled vegetables, sugar, and sesame oil, making it a favorite among locals. The pudding melts in your mouth, leaving a rich broth flavor, and a bit of spice adds a sweet, salty, and slightly spicy taste.

Yulan Cake

Yulan Cake is named after the magnolia flower blooming when it was invented. Made from glutinous rice and meat filling, the filling is pre-seasoned and wrapped in glutinous rice dough, then pan-fried. The golden-brown cakes are crispy on the outside and fragrant inside, often eaten for breakfast with soy milk.

Plum Blossom Cake

Plum Blossom Cake is made from top-quality flour, yeast, and water, poured into heated plum blossom molds, filled with red bean paste, fresh meat, vegetable lard, or rose, then topped with more batter, sprinkled with sugar, and baked. The golden cakes are soft and delicious, suitable for all ages. As a popular street snack, it's best enjoyed hot.

Four-Color Tangyuan

Also known as Four-Color Glutinous Rice Balls, a traditional Wuxi snack. The 'four colors' refer to different fillings: fresh meat (white), sesame (black), red bean paste (brown), and vegetable lard (green). Made from high-quality glutinous rice and flour, the dough is filled with various fillings and cooked in boiling water until soft and chewy.

Old-Style Noodles

For Wuxi locals, Old-Style Noodles hold a special place in their hearts. Made using traditional Wuxi methods, the noodles are chewy, and the broth is rich and aromatic, with various toppings to choose from.

Wuxi Attractions

Wuxi, a famous water town in southern Jiangsu, is best known for its scenic spots along Taihu Lake, especially Yuantouzhu and Li Garden. Besides Taihu Lake, the old buildings and former residences of celebrities along the city's canals, as well as the ancient towns around, represent Wuxi's cultural and historical heritage. Jichang Garden's pavilions and corridors showcase the elegance of Jiangnan gardens, while the serene Lingshan Scenic Area is perfect for a spiritual retreat.

Highlight One:Taihu-Lihu Scenic Area

The top attraction in Wuxi is the Taihu-Lihu Scenic Area, the city's hallmark. Besides Yuantouzhu, Lihu Park, and Changguangxi Wetland, the area includes Li Garden, said to be where Xi Shi and Fan Li spent their later years, making it worth a full day's visit.

Yuantouzhu

'The best place in Taihu Lake is Yuantouzhu.' Located on Chongshan Peninsula, with Lihu to the east and Taihu to the west, Yuantouzhu offers stunning views at every turn. Walking along its paths, one is immersed in the lake and mountain scenery, especially beautiful in spring with cherry blossoms and in autumn with red leaves.

Lihu Lake Leisure Cycling

The Lihu Lake shoreline is dotted with parks connected by paved roads, perfect for cycling. The Lihu Lake Scenic Area is the best cycling route in Wuxi, including Lihu Light, Fisherman's Island, Bo Gong Island, Changguangxi Wetland Park, and Lihu Park, all free public parks. The world's second-largest Ferris wheel is in Lihu Park, offering panoramic views of Lihu Lake.

Li Garden

Li Garden is one of the three famous gardens in Jiangnan, said to be where Fan Li and Xi Shi once lived. Surrounded by water on three sides, the garden features changing views, pavilions, and corridors. The Taihu rockery in the garden is built by the water, creating a maze-like effect of 'real mountains and real water,' a highlight of Li Garden.

Highlight Two: Old City Buildings

Wuxi's most characteristic old buildings are mainly in two areas: the ancient Grand Canal's west side, Nanchang Street, and the east side, Nanxia Tang, featuring traditional Jiangnan water town style with black tiles and white walls. The other is Rongxiang Old Street, north of Lihu and east of Plum Garden, with late Qing and early Republic of China buildings.

Qingming Bridge Ancient Canal Scenic Area

The Qingming Bridge Ancient Canal Scenic Area extends from the south side of Nanchan Temple along the canal to Qingming Bridge. The area is divided into Nanchang Street on the east bank and Nanxia Tang on the west bank.The Ancient Canal Scenic Area preserves well-maintained Ming and Qing dynasty residences, offering a typical water town scenery with small bridges and flowing water.

Nanchan Temple

Nanchan Temple is a must-visit when exploring Wuxi's ancient canal. Built in the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the temple has a history of 1,400 years. It was the largest temple in the south during the Southern Dynasties, known as 'the most magnificent temple in Jiangnan.' The nearby Miaoguang Pagoda, originally built in the Northern Song Dynasty, has been restored based on historical records. The pedestrian street near Nanchan Temple offers many snacks, perfect for a break.

Rongxiang Old Street

Rongxiang Old Street is the former residence of the famous national industrialist Rong Desheng, about 380 meters long, running east-west in an 'S' shape, known locally as 'Dragon Shape.' The street's buildings feature Huizhou-style architecture. Many early 20th-century residences are preserved here, reflecting the belief in 'feng shui' that taller houses bring prosperity. The irregular layout has become a unique feature of the old street.

Plum Garden Scenic Area

Plum Garden Scenic Area is west of Rongxiang, known for its plum trees. In spring, visitors come to admire the blossoms. The garden, over a century old, was once the private garden of the Rong family. It features many historical sites like Xixin Spring, Tianxin Terrace, and Nianqu Tower, as well as diverse garden landscapes. Besides plum blossoms, tulips are also a highlight, with the best viewing period from late March to April.

Highlight Three: Ancient Towns, Gardens, and Former Residences

The most famous ancient town in Wuxi is Huishan Ancient Town, north of Xihui Park, with convenient transportation. Xihui Park is known for Jichang Garden, one of the 'Four Great Gardens of Jiangnan,' and the Second Spring Under Heaven, making it a perfect complement to the ancient town. Former residences of celebrities are also worth visiting to appreciate Wuxi's cultural heritage.

Huishan Ancient Town

Huishan Ancient Town, named after its location at the foot of Huishan, is Wuxi's most representative ancient town. It features Jiangnan-style archways, residences, and stone-paved roads, with a unique ancestral hall culture involving over 80 surnames. Visitors can explore their roots here. The town also offers tea by the river and the Second Spring Under Heaven. Local snacks like soup dumplings, tofu pudding, and plum blossom cakes are plentiful.

Jichang Garden

Jichang Garden, west of Huishan Ancient Town, is the only Ming Dynasty garden in Wuxi. It cleverly uses the terrain of Huishan, incorporating its springs into the garden's water features. The garden includes rockeries, ponds, pavilions, and corridors, with the reflection of Longguang Pagoda on Xishan visible in the garden's pond, creating a unique layout. Emperor Qianlong visited this garden multiple times and even replicated it in the Summer Palace as the Garden of Harmonious Interests.

Second Spring Under Heaven

The Huishan Spring in Xihui Park was rated as the 'Second Spring Under Heaven' by Tang Dynasty tea master Lu Yu. Every autumn, on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, the moon reflects in the spring, known as 'Moonlight Reflected in the Second Spring.' The famous erhu piece 'Moonlight Reflected in the Second Spring' by A Bing was composed here. It can be visited after exploring Huishan Ancient Town and Jichang Garden.

Donglin Academy

Donglin Academy, founded in the Song Dynasty, is a symbol of Wuxi's cultural heritage. The famous couplet 'The sound of wind, rain, and reading enters the ear; family, national, and world affairs concern the heart' by Ming Dynasty scholar Gu Xiancheng originated here. The stone archway at the entrance is a landmark, representing the upright spirit of Donglin scholars. The academy's simple garden is serene and comfortable, with few visitors.

Xue Fucheng's Former Residence

Xue Fucheng's Former Residence, known locally as Xue Family Garden, was the home of Xue Fucheng, a famous late Qing Dynasty thinker, diplomat, and politician. The garden's architecture is a blend of Chinese and Western styles, with the Rotating Pavilion and the Turntable Tower being the most notable features. The Turntable Tower is the largest of its kind in China, known as 'China's First Rotating Tower.'

Qian Zhongshu's Former Residence

Qian Zhongshu's Former Residence is discreetly located in a small alley near Xue Fucheng's Former Residence. It is now a memorial hall with exhibits on the lives of Qian Zhongshu and his wife Yang Jiang. The residence reflects their loving and harmonious life together.

Highlight Four: Lingshan Scenic Area

Lingshan Scenic Area, surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing Taihu Lake to the south, is a beautiful Buddhist cultural theme park showcasing the achievements of Sakyamuni. Visitors come here to listen to Zen teachings, enjoy vegetarian meals, and stay in serene lodgings to calm their minds. Main attractions include the Nine Dragons Bathing, Ashoka Pillar, Manlong Flying Tower, Brahma Palace, Five Seal Mandala, Demon Conquering Relief, and the 80-meter-tall Grand Buddha.

Nianhua Bay

Nianhua Bay, a small town next to Lingshan, is themed around Zen Buddhism. The ancient-style buildings are serene and elegant, with a Japanese-style street scene. There are shops offering free sand painting and sculpture painting, and evening activities include Zen walking and light shows, making it a great destination for families and young people. The town also has Buddhist-themed inns where guests can experience Zen meditation and scripture copying, though the accommodation is pricey.

Highlight Five: Yixing Shanjuan Cave

Yixing, about an hour and a half drive from Wuxi, is famous for its caves, with over 80 in the city. The most notable are Shanjuan Cave, Zhanggong Cave, and Linggu Cave, known as the 'Three Wonders of Yixing.' Among them, Shanjuan Cave is the largest and most diverse, and is one of the world's three great caves.

Yixing Bamboo Sea

Yixing Bamboo Sea is about a 30-minute drive south of Shanjuan Cave and can be visited in a day. Known as the largest bamboo forest in East China, the bamboo sea rises and falls with the mountains, resembling a jade ocean from afar. Walking through it, tall bamboo forms green walls on both sides, creating a spectacular sight. The scenic area also includes Mirror Lake and the First Source of Taihu Lake. There are cable cars and tour buses, with the hiking trail starting at the tour bus terminal.