Frommer's China by Simon Foster

Author:Simon Foster
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Published: 2012-03-07T05:00:00+00:00

Wuxi (无锡), Tai Hu (太湖) & Yixing (宜兴)

Jiangsu Province, 128km (79 miles) NW of Shanghai

Located in the southern part of Jiangsu Province, Wuxi, literally “without tin,” was once “you xi” (“has tin”). The town changed its name during the Han dynasty when nearby deposits of tin were mined out. A Grand Canal port, Wuxi itself is not an exciting city but it’s the best base for a visit to Tai Hu (Lake Tai), one of China’s four largest freshwater lakes and its most fabled body of water. On the west shore of Tai Hu is Yixing, famous for its purple clay pottery. Note: For Chinese translations of selected establishments listed in this section, turn to chapter 16.

Essentials

Getting There Wuxi has a small airport which is seldom used. Shanghai offers the nearest major airline connections. Wuxi is connected by daily trains to Shanghai (1–1 hr. 30 min.), Suzhou (25–35 min.), Hangzhou (4 hr. 30 min.via Shanghai), and Nanjing (2 hr.). The railway station ( 0510/8383-1234) is in the northern part of town (counters 7–9 sell same-day tickets for Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou).

From the Wuxi Qichezhan (Wuxi Bus Station; 0510/8258-8188) just north of the railway station, buses head to Shanghai (every 30 min. 7:10am–7:30pm; 2 hr.; ¥41–¥47), Suzhou (every 15 min. 6:30am–7:20pm; 1–2 hr.; ¥16–¥21), Hangzhou (every 30 min. 6:40am–6:30pm; 3 hr.; ¥82), Yixing (every 20 min. 6:30am–7:30pm; 1–2 hr.; ¥19–¥23), Nanjing (every 30 min. 6:30am–7pm; 2 hr. 10 min.; ¥57–¥63), and Yangzhou (every 40 min. 6:50am–5:30pm; 2 hr. 30 min.; ¥62).

Getting Around Taxis cost ¥8 for 3km (2 miles), then ¥2.30 per kilometer, then ¥2.80 per kilometer after 8km (5 miles). Public bus no. 1 (¥1) and tourist bus no. G1 (same fare) run from the railway station to Yuantouzhu. Bus no. 2 from the railway station stops at Xihui Gongyuan.

Tours & Guides China Travel Service (CTS), located directly across from the railway station at Chezhan Lu 88 ( 0570/8230-3366; fax 0510/230-4143; 8am–6pm), can arrange customized tours around the city and to the pottery shops and caves in Yixing County.

Wuxi

Banks, Foreign Exchange & ATMs The Bank of China at Zhongshan Lu 258 conducts foreign exchange Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. An ATM is inside the bank.

Internet Access Broadband Internet access is available for ¥.50 per hour at the library, south of Tai Hu Guang Chang ( 0510/8575-7830, ext 8401; www.wxlib.cn; 9am–5pm). Dial-up is available at 163.

Post Office There’s a post office (7:30am–6:30pm) on Renmin Zhong Lu, west of Zhongshan Lu.

Visa Extensions The Gonganju (PSB) is located on the second floor at Chongning Lu 54 ( 0510/8270-6842) and is open Monday through Friday from 8 to 11:30am and 1:30 to 5:30pm (2:30–5:30pm July–Sept). Allow 5 business days.

Exploring Wuxi

Tai Hu (Lake Tai) With its northern banks grazing the southwest edge of Wuxi, China’s most fabled body of fresh water is the main attraction in town. Covering over 2,400 sq. km (950 sq. miles) with an average depth of only 2m (7 ft.), the lake is dotted with islands, fishing trawlers, low cargo boats, and small sampans.

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