Yuantouzhu Peninsula, resembling a turtle with its head raised, is located in the northern part of Lake Taihu. Here, you can explore the vast garden complex, take a boat to experience the vastness of Lake Taihu, visit the Fairyland Island to explore its mysteries, and also come here in spring to enjoy the cherry blossoms, feeling the charm of ‘the best place in Lake Taihu is Yuantouzhu’. Every spring, the simultaneous blooming of cherry blossoms is a spectacular sight here, accompanied by a lively Cherry Blossom Festival.
Yuantouzhu Peninsula is surrounded by water on three sides, offering both the natural beauty of mountains and waters with dotted sails and the pastoral scenery of small bridges and flowing water. It is a place of great beauty in the landscape of Lake Taihu. The Fairyland Island in Lake Taihu is a must-experience place in Yuantouzhu, featuring Taoist fairy palaces and statues in grottoes of both Taoism and Buddhism. Climbing to the top of Luding Mountain on the peninsula allows you to overlook the lush greenery of the lake’s edge, and on a clear day, you can see the graceful boats on the lake, feeling the vast beauty of Lake Taihu.
Yuantouzhu, as a cherry blossom viewing spot, has its unique features: first, a panoramic ‘water-land-air’ cherry blossom viewing experience, and second, the opportunity to view cherry blossoms at night, where they are combined with lights to create an overwhelming beauty. The early cherry blossoms in Yuantouzhu usually bloom in early March, mostly single or semi-double petals. Depending on the blooming sequence of the cherry blossoms, they are divided into early and late cherry blossoms.
In summer, you can admire the beautiful lotus flowers. Yuantouzhu also has many historical sites and private gardens built by celebrities of the past, such as the Hengyun Mountain Villa, which includes the ‘Best Place in Lake Taihu’ gate tower and Changchun Bridge, and the ancient Guangfu Temple in Wuxi. Meticulously appreciating the traces of celebrities and literati, stone carvings, and calligraphy and painting everywhere is also a great pleasure of visiting Yuantouzhu. Additionally, if you have time, you can visit the Wanlang Bridge, which is a good place to watch the sunset over Lake Taihu.
The Chongshan Main Gate (main entrance, southeast of the scenic area) can be entered and exited, and the Dushan Gate (north of the scenic area) can only be exited. The entire scenic area is mainly composed of Yuantouzhu Peninsula, Fairyland Island, and Zhongdushan. It takes about a whole day to visit all the attractions. For most tourists, the recommended itinerary is: Cruise Ship Dock – Fairyland Island – Best Place in Lake Taihu – Hengyun Mountain Villa – Yuanzhu Spring Waves – Guangfu Temple – Luding Mountain.
Children under 4 meters (inclusive) and elderly people aged 70 years old and above (inclusive) with valid identification enjoy free admission. Seniors aged between 60 and 70 years old (inclusive of 60, exclusive of 70) are eligible for a 50% discount with valid identification, which can be purchased at the scenic spot’s Chongshan Gate ticket office.
Half-price for minors: Minors aged between 6 years old (exclusive) and 18 years old (inclusive) with valid identification enjoy a half-price discount. Half-price for disabled individuals: With valid identification, enjoy a half-price discount. Free for active and retired military personnel, retired non-commissioned officers (sergeants), and their dependents with valid identification. Free for journalists with valid identification. Half-price for students: Full-time undergraduate and below students enjoy a half-price discount. Free for those who have acted bravely and justly: The individual, their spouse, or parents and children with a Jiangsu Certificate of Bravery and valid identification enjoy free admission. Free for academicians in Wuxi: With their own ‘Academician Priority Certificate’, enjoy free admission. Three exemptions for service targets: With a Jiangsu Blood Donation Honor Certificate and ID card, enjoy free admission. Additional notes: 1. Daytime free admission does not include night tour tickets (refer to the ‘Wuxi Park Scenic Spot Discount Admission List’). 2. During night tour activities, Wuxi Garden One Card, Yuantouzhu Scenic Spot Annual Card, and XiXi Baby Parent-Child Card are not valid. Wuxi medical workers and their spouses and children do not enjoy free ticket policies. Service facilities – Parking: [Yuantouzhu Parking] Reference price: ￥20/day; Address: Yuantouzhu Scenic Spot Chongshan Parking; Spaces: 2000; 15 yuan/day (weekdays for small vehicles), 20 yuan/day (large vehicles), 30 yuan/day (holidays for small vehicles). WIFI: Account: aWiFi-WUXIFree; Password: No password required; Coverage: Full coverage. Mobile phone charging: The scenic spot’s visitor center provides Apple and Android phone charging cables. Luggage storage: Reference price: Free storage with a 50 yuan deposit required, upon presentation of a scenic spot ticket. Scenic spot explanation: Guide services are provided at the Chongshan Gate guide office, scenic spot visitor center, Chongshan Gate, and Shanhui Chuanmei Archway guide pavilion. Transportation within the park: Reference price: Chargeable. Restrooms: Multiple restrooms are located within Yuantouzhu, near Chongshan Gate, Hengyun Restaurant, and Sakura Valley, with clear signs. Smoking area: Smoking is allowed in non-boat, restaurant, and forest areas. Dining: Hengyun Restaurant (next to the boat dock), JueShan Restaurant (Taihu Fairy Island), Tianxiang Building (Taihu Fairy Island), Note: Alipay and WeChat payments are accepted.Vending Machines: There are two vending machines located at Taihu Fairyland Square and beside the Chongshan Visitor Center. Please note that payment via Alipay and WeChat is not accepted.
