Xihui Scenic Area

[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Xihui Scenic Area consists of three parts: the scenic area (including the Jichang Garden), Xihui Park and the entrance park.

The Hui Spring was built during the Tang Dynasty (618–907) and has become well known in recent times thanks to the popularity of the song The Moon Over a Fountain composed by blind folk musician Hua Yanjun, also named A Bing.

The sounds of Hua playing the erhu (a kind of two-stringed cello) beautifully capture the serene atmosphere of this tranquil location.

Jichang Garden was constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and is one of the finest examples of classical Chinese gardens.

Kangxi and Qianlong, both emperors during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), adored the garden and its surroundings.

Emperor Qianlong liked the garden grounds so much that he built exact replicas in the Summer Palace in Beijing.

Huishan Spring was evaluated by Chinese expert Lu Yu as the second best spring in the whole country. Emperor Qianlong visited here each time he visited the regions south of the Yangtze River for inspection. This gives the scenic area profound cultural deposits.

Tips

Location: No 2 Straight Huishan Street, Binhu district, Wuxi

Tickets: 70 yuan ($10.64) for the scenic area, 10 yuan for Xihui Park, 28 yuan for the cable car

Opening hours: 5:30 – 17:30

Public transportation: Take bus No 2, 10, 27, 56, 71, 75, 81, 87, 98, 207, 507, 603 and 610 to Xihui Park Station

Travel guide

Best times travel:

In April, the Huishan Folk Culture Fair is held where representatives from eight temples in Wuxi visit Huishan Mountain for worship.

October is a good time to enjoy the beauty of chrysanthemum flowers which grow at the foot of Huishan Mountain.