Wuxi’s long history dates back some 3,000 years to the Shang and Zhou Dynasties, when scattered settlements existed in the area. The city was formally founded during the Han Dynasty, as the capital of a feudal state in the region. Yet few details appear in later dynastic histories and Wuxi remained for the most part, a small country town. This image did not begin to change until the 1930’s, when Wuxi began rapidly to expand its industry, the keystone of which was 45 silk filatures. The town also gained some importance as a transport center, transshipping manufactured goods and silks by water to Shanghai. Its period of greatest expansion however occurred after 1949.

Highlights:
Tai Hu Lake: Wu Xi is famous for its lakes, especially the Tai Hu Lake. Covering an area of over 2,250 meters, Taihu Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in China. The size of the lake is 2.5 times larger than the whole Hong Kong or 4.5 times of Singapore. Mind you…it’s only a lake.

Lingshan Giant Buddha statue: This should be one of the largest Buddha statues that i have ever seen in my entire life. This Giant Buddha Statue constructed from 1994-1997 with a height of 88 meters + a 3 story building base of 13.5 meters. The statue was cast in bronze metal with gross weight of 700 tons.

Pearl: Wu Xi is well-known for its pearls. The pearls produced and sold from Wu Xi are widely used in costume jewellery and cosmetics.

Quick Tips/Suggestions:
Bring lots of water if you go sightseeing. It’s expensive there, and you’ll be doing a lot of walking.