|
 Meaning
of the name
"Without Tin"
A coastal city of Jiangsu province;
one of the 15 economic central cities in China; one
of the 10 important tourist cities in China; called
as "homeland of fish and rice"
Attractions in Wuxi
Location
On the Grand Canal, 120 km west-northwest of Shanghai.
Wuxi is the nearest city to the famous Tai Hu, a picturesque
lake with an area of 2,425 square kilometres but an
average depth of only 2 metres.
Neighboring Areas: Zhejiang,
Anhui, Shandong provinces and Shanghai Municipality
Population: 4.32 million
Area: 4,650 sq km
History
Wuxi was founded 3,000 years ago by two fugitive
princes from northern China, who called the area Mei.
Because of the tin deposits that were utilized nearby,
the town became known as Youxi ('Has Tin'). When the
tin ran out in 25 AD, it got its present name.
Despite its location on the Grand Canal, Wuxi did not
prosper as much as neighbouring cities. Only in the
20th century, Wuxi became a center of the silk industry,
when Shanghai investors and foreign technicians came
to the area. After the Communist takeover in 1949, Wuxi
continued to grow in importance, with the establishment
of more textile production and both light and heavy
industry.
 Culture
Wuxi is reputedly the location of Jiangsu Province's
second-best spring for brewing tea (Number Two Spring
Under Heaven). Although it may not be entirely serious,
Lonely Planet's China claims that Chinese also enjoy
"the ancient hobby of carp-watching" at the
spring.
One of the handicraft specialties of Wuxi is the production
of Huishan clay figurines.
Food
The local cuisine is based on the aquatic products
grown in abundance in the area, and is noted for its
light and slightly sweet flavouring. Specialties include
freshwater fish, crabs, shrimp and eel.
Folklore
The area around Wuxi and Tai Hu is called "the
land of fish and rice". The nickname is often extended
to the entire area, and to the whole of Jiangsu Province.
The nine peaks of Huishan, in Xihui Park on the western
outskirts of Wuxi, are said to be the sleeping sons
of the legendary Dragon King.
The cleverness of Wuxi natives is legendary. A popular
joke is that "they can sell you meat that is really
bones (i.e. Wuxi pork ribs) and they sell you dumplings
that are just air inside (i.e. Wuxi fried tofu dumplings,
which are hollow)".
Climate subtropical monsoon maritime climate; mild and humid
with 4 distinct seasons; long frost-free period of 230
days, enough sunshine of 2000 hours annually
Average Temperature: annual average of 15.5 C
Rainfall: average annual of 1000 mm
Mountains: Mt. Xishan, Mt. Huisha, Mt. Junzhang,
Mt. Maji
Rivers: the Yangtze River; Taihu Lake; Jinghang
Canal
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Map
of China
