German Silk Road bus tour hits Wuxi stop

A German visitor shows off a pair of Huishan clay figurines presented by the local event host organizer at a welcome fest held in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province on July 2. [Photo/wxrb.com]

A German tour group of 30 cultural envoys arrived in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province on July 2 as a stop on their Silk Road trip that began in Shanghai and will end in Hamburg, Germany.

In early March of this year, Wuxi went to central Berlin to promote itself as a tourism destination at the 51st Berlin International Tourism Fair. The city struck a deal with German counterparts to become a stop on a Silk Road bus trip co-launched by the German China Tours Travel Agency, the Sino-German Exchange Association and German newspaper Die Zeit.

The tour group first visited the clay figurine museum of Huishan Ancient Town at the famous Xihui Scenic Area to kick off their two-day visit to the city. The envoys wandered through the landmark ancient town, tasted local specialties, sipped tea and took a boat to the notable Turtle Head Isle abutting beautiful Taihu Lake.

"Wuxi is an attractive city. People here are enthusiastic and we are happy to be shown around the most iconic places of interest and offered a smorgasbord of delicacies and treats," said one visitor. The Westerners expressed their appreciation for the fun of traveling in the eastern city while promising to share the experience with their families and friends back in their home country.

The Wuxi Tourism Bureau sent every visitor a DIY Huishan clay figurine as a gift. These smooth, colorful and vivid figurines are locally called "Da A Fu", and represent a hard-working spirit, kindness, happiness and a helpful personality.

After departing Wuxi, the tour group will keep going on their 13,000-kilometer-trip, which is routed to cross eight countries along the ancient Silk Road.