Top Things to Do in Wuxi in 2026

Written by Natalia | Updated January 21,2026

Wuxi is the birthplace of Wu Culture with a history of 3,000 years. It is located in the center of the Yangtze River Delta in Jiangsu Province. The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal traverses the city. The excellent natural scenery here also has great appeal to tourists. Boasting the best view of Taihu Lake, it is renowned as the “Pearl of Taihu Lake”. Together with the Li Garden, Qingming Bridge, Huishan Ancient Town, a breathtaking ink painting of southern China unfolds before your eyes during a travel to Wuxi. Then what are the things to do for tourists in Wuxi? Follow us to find out the answers.

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• 1. Have a Nice Stroll Around Taihu Lake – Top Highlights of Wuxi
• 2. Visit Yuantouzhu – A Serene Oasis of Taihu Lake & Home to Blooming Cherry Blossoms
• 3. Explore Lingshan for Stunning Buddhist Architecture and Art
• 4. Wander Through Nianhua Bay – Ancient Architecture & Zen-like Life
• 5. Step Back in Time at Huishan Ancient Town
• 6. Visit the Three Kingdoms Film & TV City
• 7. Admire the View of Qingming Bridge Ancient Canal – Wuxi’s Rich Canal Culture
• 8. Enjoy Plum Garden – Fragrant Blossoms & Classic Jiangnan Charm
• 9. Explore Xihui Park – Where Legends, Springs, and Pagodas Meet
• 10. Visit Nanshan Temple – A 1,000-Year-Old Landmark along the Ancient Canal
• 11. Try Local Wuxi Food
• Things to Do in Wuxi by Season
• How to Plan a Wuxi Tour?
• Plan a Trip to Wuxi with China Xian Tour

1. Have a Nice Stroll Around Taihu Lake – Top Highlights of Wuxi

• Opening hours:it varies according to different scenic areas, but basically, it is about 08:00 – 17:00.
• Location:the main area is in Binhu District, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province
• Ticket price:the lake itself is free to enter, the ticket for the attractions in the core area varies.
• How to get there: bus line 1 can take you to the core scenic area directly.
• Things to do: take a boat to Taihu Fairy Island, appreciate the sunset in Lihu Lake, experience Buddhist culture in Lingshan

Taihua Lake is one of the most beautiful lake views in China, and the area in Wuxi is regarded as the essence of Taihu Lake. It integrates the lakes, mountains, gardens, Buddhist culture and ancient canal charm. Yuantouzhu is the best place to catch the most beautiful scenery of Taihu Lake.

The Lingshan Buddhist Scenic Area and Nianhuawan Town offer a Buddhist cultural experience, where your soul will be soothed. If you are fond of water scenery, the Lihu Lake and the classic garden Li Garden will feast your eyes.

What’s more, you can also wander in the Huishan Ancient Town or Qingming Bridge Ancient Canal Street to feel the charm of the water town and profound culture. There are abundant things to do in Wuxi during the Taihu Lake tour.

2. Visit Yuantouzhu – A Serene Oasis of Taihu Lake & Home to Blooming Cherry Blossoms

• Opening hours:08:00 – 16:30
• Location: 11, Yuanzhu Road, Binhu District
• Ticket price:CNY 85
• How to get there: tourists can take bus line 1 to the Yuantouzhu stop
• Things to do:overlook Taihu Lake, enjoy a boat tour to Taihu Fairy Island, appreciate cherry blossoms

Yuantouzhu is actually a peninsula in the northern part of Taihu Lake. It is like a floating turtle with its head raised. The “Yuanzhu Chuntao” is the essence of the scenic area. Here stand the iconic beacon and the cliff carvings. Yuantouzhu is also famous for its best view of Taihu Lake.

Tourists can have a panoramic view of Taihu Lake on Luding Mountain or take a boat to appreciate Taihu Lake from a different perspective. The destination of the boat is Taihu Fairy Island, where you can explore Taoist architectural complex. If you visit there in spring, the sakura valley is unmissable, it is one of the top places to see cherry blossom in China. Tens of thousands of cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the whole valley seems to be shrouded by the pinkish-white cloud, forming a spectacular scene.

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3. Explore Lingshan for Stunning Buddhist Architecture and Art

• Opening hours: 07:00 – 17:00
• Location: 24, Guzhuyuan Road, Mashan Town, Binhu District
• Ticket price: CNY 195
• How to get there: bus line 88 and Leyou line 2 can take you to the tourist center
• Things to do: appreciate the giant Buddha statue, art treasures and Nine Dragons Bathing Sakyamuni

The landscapes in Lingshan Scenic Area are built against the mountain and are distributed along the central axis, which vividly show the major life stages of Sakyamuni. The 88-meter-high bronze Buddha is the landmark. Brahma Palace integrates the Buddhist culture and modern architectural design.

With numerous art treasures, like Dongyang wood carvings, Dunhuang murals, and glazed masterpieces, the palace is renowned as “The Louvre of the East”. Nine Dragons Bathing Sakyamuni is also a highlight during the Jiangsu tour. This performance utilizes dynamic sculptures and music to reproduce the auspicious scene of the nine dragons spraying water and bathing Sakyamuni when he was born.

4. Wander Through Nianhua Bay – Ancient Architecture & Zen-like Life

• Opening hours:09:00 – 20:00
• Location: 68, Huanshan West Road, Binhu District
• Ticket price:CNY 140
• How to get there:Leyou line 2 will transport you to Nianhua Bay
• Things to do:appreciate ancient architecture and experience a Zen-like life

Nianhua Bay is a small town themed by Zen. It is very suitable for tourists who want to escape the urban bustle and seek for inner peace. The architecture on the Xiangyuehua Street imitates the Tang and Song styles. The highest point of Nianhua Tower is also a Tang-style wooden pavilion-style pagoda. Its night view is very charming. In the evening, the tower is illuminated by lights and seems solemn and sacred. Besides, the night tour here is also famous and offers a more immersive Zen-like experience. Through technological means such as sound and light, various magnificent scenes are created at night.

Inside the town, there are also plenty of experience stores of tea, flower or incense ceremony, as well as various cultural and creative small stores and specialty snack shops, making it an ideal place to experience the Zen-like life.

5. Step Back in Time at Huishan Ancient Town

• Opening hours:historical and cultural street area: all day, cultural relics area: 08:00 – 17:00
• Location: 25, Baoshan Street, Liangxi District
• Ticket price:historical and cultural street area: free; cultural relics area: CNY 70
• How to get there:both metro line 4 and bus line 4, 10, 15, 16, 56, 66, 75, 76, 81, 83, 139, 158, 314, 507, 610, 611 and 711 are available.
• Things to do:marvel at ancestral halls, appreciate Jiangnan garden and clay figurines.

The charm of Huishan ancient town lies in its profound history and culture. It is like an open-air museum. China’s largest and best-preserved ancient ancestral hall complex is right here. It gathers over 120 ancestral halls and enshrines over 180 historical celebrities. You will feel like reading a vivid biography of Chinese clan culture and historical figures.

When wandering along the street, you may see many souvenir shops selling clay figurines. It is actually a special local intangible cultural heritage. If you are interested in it, pay a visit to the China Clay Figurine Museum.

Besides, do not forget to taste the traditional snacks along the street. For tourists who are interested in local culture, it is recommended to list the Huishan Ancient Town tour in their things to do in Wuxi.

6. Visit the Three Kingdoms Film & TV City

• Opening hours:08:00-17:30
• Location: 128, Shanshui West Road, Binhu District
• Ticket price:CNY 90
• How to get there:tourists can take bus line 82 to get there.
• Things to do:appreciate Han buildings and immerse in live performances

This Film and TV City is a large-scale film and television cultural tourism scenic area that is specially built for the shooting of the TV series, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a very famous historical drama in China. So the large architectural complex here imitates the Han-style.

To enrich travel experience, there are several performances every day to reproduce the classic scenes in the TV series. The Three Heroes battle Lü Bu is unmissable, it is a large-scale live performance of ancient horse battles. This immersive experience will make every tourist feel like traveling back to the Han Dynasty.

7. Admire the View of Qingming Bridge Ancient Canal – Wuxi’s Rich Canal Culture

• Opening hours:all day
• Location:at the intersection of Yongle Road and Nan Chang Street, Liangxi District
• Ticket price:free
• How to get there:tourists can take metro line 1 or bus line 15, 19, 27, 41, 55, 92, 113, 502, 505, 765, 767 to arrive there.
• Things to do:wander or take a boat to appreciate ancient architecture and water lanes

This scenic area perfectly shows the water lanes of the Jiangnan water town and the thousand-year-old canal culture. The Qingming Bridge is its soul. It is the largest and best-preserved single-arch stone bridge over the ancient canal in Wuxi. On both banks are the well-preserved residences of Ming and Qing Dynasties.

When wandering to explore, you can experience both the bustling atmosphere in Nanchang Street and encounter tranquil life scenes in Nanxiatang Street. Another recommended thing to do here in Wuxi is to experience its charm by boat. The night tour is more charming with the lights reflected in the water. Memorable photos can be taken here easily.

8. Enjoy Plum Garden – Fragrant Blossoms & Classic Jiangnan Charm

• Opening hours:07:00 – 17:00
• Location: 13, Bianjiawan, Liangxi West Road, Binhu District
• Ticket price:CNY 60
• How to get there:tourists can get there by metro line 2 or bus line 2, 40, 53, 67, 72, 83, 87, 88, 89, 106, 112, 131, 158, 207, 310, 632, 766, Leyou line 2.
• Things to do:appreciate various flowers and explore ancient sites

The Plum Garden is composed of three scenic areas. The Plum Scenic Area and Rong Family Ancient Site is the essence, where both the spectacular sea of plum blossoms can be appreciated and plenty of historical sites can be visited. Huaxi Scenic Area is filled with hundreds of rare and exotic flowers and plants. Together with streams, stacked rocks and green trees, a natural scroll is formed. So even if you visit here when the plum blossoms are not in full bloom, it will not let you down. Kaiyuan Temple is a famous Buddhist temple, which is renowned as “Little Lingyin Temple”.

9. Explore Xihui Park – Where Legends, Springs, and Pagodas Meet

• Opening hours:08:30-17:00
• Location: 2, Huihe Road, Liangxi District
• Ticket price:CNY 70
• How to get there:tourists can get there by metro line 1 or bus line 2, 4, 10, 15, 16, 26, 27, 56, 59, 66, 71, 75, 76, 87, 98, 139, 158, 316, 507.
• Things to do:tour Jichang Garden and ancient relics, including spring and temple

The essence of Xihui Park is its perfect combination of cultural relics and exquisite garden art. Visiting the Jichang Garden here is one of the top things to do in Wuxi. As one of four famous gardens in southern China, its exquisite layout amazes the emperor and the Xiequ Garden in Summer Palace in Beijing is designed in imitation of it.

What’s more, there is the Second Spring under Heaven, whose name originates from Lu Yu, the “Tea Sage” of the Tang Dynasty, who praised it as “the second best in the world”. Huishan Temple is another highlight. The temple is built in the Northern and Southern Dynasties and many precious relics of the Song and Tang Dynasties are preserved here.

10. Visit Nanshan Temple – A 1,000-Year-Old Landmark along the Ancient Canal

• Opening hours:06:00 – 17:00
• Location: 195, Xixing Road, Xinwu District
• Ticket price:free
• How to get there:bus lines 19, 41, 65, 69, 76, 93, 116, 129, 160, 770 and 771 can transport you there.
• Things to do: experience Buddhist culture and enjoy a peaceful time

Though not as famous as Lingshan Scenic Area, Nanshan Temple is very suitable for tourists who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. This temple was built in the Northern Song Dynasty. Its scale is not big, but the environment is very peaceful and quiet and the architecture is primitive, simple and elegant. The Buddhist statues and artworks are also worth appreciation.

11. Try Local Wuxi Food

The features of Wuxi cuisine can be summarized as a mild sweetness at first, a salty flavor at last and a bright and lustrous red color. They also eat according to the seasons. The unmissable main dishes include braised spare ribs in brown sauce, crispy fried eels, crab roe tendons, etc. Many time-honored restaurants offer the dish, such as Sanfengqiao, Zuiyuelou, etc.

Besides, the white fish, white shrimp, and silver fish from Taihu Lake are also very famous. The Jinxiangyu Restaurant by the lake is recommended, where the food material is fresh.

Of course, the staple food and snacks are must try, including Xiaolongbao, Yinsi noodles, Yulan cake, osmanthus sugar taro, etc. Wangxingji, Yishengyuan and Xinwanxin are all preferred by locals and tourists.

Things to Do in Wuxi by Season

Spring

In spring, the flowers are in full bloom all over the city, making the flower appreciation one of the top things to do in Wuxi in spring. The most famous should be the cherry blossoms at Yuantouzhu. During mid to late March, over 30,000 cherry trees will bloom and form a pinkish white flower sea. In addition, the Plum Garden is also one of the four top places to appreciate the plum blossoms in southern China. The flowers spread all over the mountain and exude a delicate and elegant fragrance.

Summer

Summer is the best time to travel around Taihu Lake. The lake breeze brings refreshing coolness. It will be an enjoyment to take a cruise during this time to feel the vastness and coolness of the lake. In the evening, wandering or cycling around Lihu Lake is also very relaxing. The lotuses are in bloom and the cool breeze will comfort you. You can also take an ancient canal cruise to appreciate the night views of water lanes.

Autumn

With pleasant weather and colorful scenery, autumn is the ideal season for history exploration and a garden landscapes tour. Huishan Ancient Town and Xihui Park are must-visit. The thousand-year-old ginkgo tree in front of the Huishan Temple turns golden. The red maples in Jichang Garden and the classic architecture form an exquisite autumn scenery picture.

Winter

Winter is the off season, so the number of tourists is fewer and the atmosphere is quieter. It is suitable for a culture and food tour. You can visit the Lingshan Scenic Area to pray for yourself and enjoy the inner peace or warm your body with the delicious local food.

How to Plan a Wuxi Tour?

To feel the natural scenery and charm of South China in Wuxi, 2 – 3 days are the mainstream choice. Here are the itineraries for different days for your reference.

Wuxi Two-Day Trip:

Day 1: Yuantouzhu – Liyuan Garden – Qingming Bridge

Day 2: Jichang Garden – Huishan Ancient Town

This route covers the most famous natural and cultural landscapes in Wuxi, and allows you to visit the highlights in a short time.

Wuxi Three-Day Trip:

On the third day, you can spend the morning in Lingshan Buddha to feel the serenity of Buddhist culture and visit the Nianhuwan Scenic Area in the afternoon to wander in the ancient architectural complex.

To enrich your experience, you can also extend your Wuxi Tour to more destinations in Jiangsu. >> See Top Things to Do in Jiangsu

Plan a Trip to Wuxi with China Xian Tour

Wuxi treats every tourist with splendid natural scenery and profound culture. But the scenic areas are scattered and some can be reached by bus only. So it may take much time to plan the itinerary and transportation. Joining our tour group, we will arrange a driver to escort you during the tour and tailor a reasonable trip based on your preferences. We will also include the hotels, tickets booking and a guide so that you can enjoy a carefree tour in Wuxi. So do not hesitate to contact China Xian Tour now.