Huishan Ancient Town

Huishan Ancient Town is sited at the foot of Huishan Mountain in the west of Wuxi City, hence it got the name. It is only 2.5 kilometers away from Wuxi downtown. The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal flows through the town to the north. It has a good location, and famous for its majestic nature sceneries, and well-preserved typical ancestral halls.

The reserve area of this town is about 103 hectares, stretches 1.7 kilometers from east to west. The core zone is the area between Huishan Temple and Baoshan Bridge. Within this area, many historical relics or ruins can be found, which reveal the long history of this ancient town. Till now, there are 118 ancestral halls and relative remains have been found and protected.

Numerous ancestral halls are the spotlights of Huishan Ancient Town. Ten of those ancient buildings became the major national preservation sites since 2006. The ancestral halls are concentrate by the bank of Longtou River and Zhijie Street. Many of them are closed to tourists, except those listed in the entrance fee tickets. 
 

What to See in Huishan Ancient Town

Jichang Garden

Jichang Garden, also known as Qin Garden, was built in 1520. It is a famous classical garden with villa style in the south of the Yangtze River. It is the only classical garden of Ming Dynasty in Wuxi. Emperors of Qing Dynasty(Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Qianlong) had been to the south of the Yangtze River for 6 times, and they had visited the Huishan Ancient Town for 7 times separately. Emperor Qianlong loved the Jichang Garden(Qin Garden) very much and had been to Qin Garden for 8 times.

At the Jichang Garden, you can see the pavilions, halls, bridges, lakes, pools, stones and ancient trees. There are 244 inscriptions and 12 old trees over a hundred years in the Jichang Garden. You can also admire the architectural design of the classical gardens of China in the Jichang Garden.
 

Huishan Spring

Huishan Spring, also know as Yilan Spring, was dug in 779, which has a history of over 1,200 years. Lu Yu, who was called the Saint of Tea, thought that Kangwang Spring in Lushan Mountain is the best and the Huishan Spring is second in China. The Huishan Spring flows from west to east, and it has upper, middle and lower pools. Many literary men of past dynasties came to Huishan Spring and wrote famous works of it.

 

Huishan Temple

Huishan Temple is combination of temple and classical garden. It is located to the west of the Xiuzhang Street of Huishan Ancient Town, in the eastern foot of the Huishan Mountain, to the south of the Huishan Spring and to the north of the Jichang Garden. Huishan Temple is the existing oldest Buddhist temple in Wuxi.

Worshiping Buddha by burning incense at the Huishan Temple started in Southern Dynasties, which has a history over 1,500 years. It was prosperous and popular in the past, and some emperors also came here.
 

China Clay Figurine Museum

China Clay Figurine Museum is located in the Huishan Ancient Town, which is a unique museum with exhibitions of clay figurines. China Clay Figurine Museum is one of the most famous museums with the theme of clay figurine in China. At the China Clay Figurine Museum, you can see the clay figurines from many places of China and the world. And you can know about the history and development of the clay figurine in China. By the way, you can also see the making process of the clay figurine at the China Clay Figurine Museum, which is interesting.

The Huishan clay figurines were a fork handicraft art emerged in the Ming Dynasty and has a history of over 400 years. Thanks to their unique art style, these colored figurines have been well received by the Chinese people throughout the country and have been sold to 50 countries and regions. You can walk into a Clay Figures workshop to learn how to make it. Buying Clay Figures as a gifts for your families or friends is quite popular.
 

Longguang Tower

Longguang Tower is one of the landmarks of Wuxi. It is located at the top of the Xishan Hill. The Longguang Tower was first built in Ming Dynasty(1574). It is red building, which is eye-catching in Wuxi.

 

Things to Do at the Huishan Ancient Town

Take the Yaolu Boat

Embarking wharf: Baoshan Street Wharf

Opening hours: 8:30-16:30

Duration: About 20 minutes

Taking the Yaolu Boat is one of the best way to experience the beauty of the Huishan Ancient Town and the life of the local people here. During the sailing of the boat, you can see the bridges, architectures on the both sides of the river and tourists passing by.
 

Climbing the Huishan Mountain

Huishan Hill, also called Lishan Hill in the past, is the stretching brand of the Tianmu Mountain of Zhejiang, which is located near the Grand Canal and Taihu Lake. The highest peak of the Huishan Hill is 328 meters. If you like mountain climbing, you can climb the Huishan Hill in Wuxi. The natural scenery of the Huishan Hill is beautiful. Located near the Huishan Ancient Town, you can also visit the ancient town, ancient spring, ancient temple and other historical sites here.
 

Taste Local Foods and Snacks

Except for visiting the historic and cultural sites in the old town, tasting local snack food is another thing you should not miss while you are there. Steamed crab meat buns, shortcake, jellied bean curd, etc. are all famous food in the old town. 
 

Best Time to Visit Huishan Ancient Town

With ancient temple, ancient trees and ancient spring, Huishan Ancient Town is always beautiful. The best time to visit the Huishan Ancient Town will depend on the scenery you prefer. In spring, you can enjoy the lush surroundings in the Huishan Ancient Town. In summer, Huishan Ancient Town is an ideal destination for avoiding heat. In autumn, you can enjoy the golden ginkgo trees and the colorful autumn foliage in the Huishan Ancient Town. In winter, Huishan Ancient Town is silent with less crowds, which is suitable for tourists chasing for silent atmosphere.
 

How to Get to Huishan Ancient Town

Subway: You can take the Subway Line 4 in Wuxi downtown and get off at the Huishan Ancient Town Station, then walk to the Huishan Ancient Town.