Wuxi: Lingshan Grand Buddha and Taihu Lake

Wuxi lies about 185 km (115 miles) southeast of Nanjing in Jiangsu province, on the northern shore of Taihu Lake. Lingshan Scenic Area at 88 Lingshan Road in Mashan, Binhu District, is its most visited site and is dominated by the Lingshan Grand Buddha, a bronze statue of about 88 metres. The usual route is a G-series train from Nanjing South Railway Station to Wuxi Station or Wuxi East, taking about 50 to 60 minutes and costing roughly ¥65-80 in second class. From the station, a taxi or Didi covers the 40 to 60 minutes to Lingshan, and a tourist coach may also run from Wuxi Station at a lower fare; check the current timetable. At the site, visitors can walk the main avenue to the Grand Buddha, climb the steps to the base and observation platform, and visit the Brahma Palace, an ornate hall of gilded art and Buddhist imagery. Daily performances, including the Nine Dragons Bathing the Prince show, are scheduled at set times, so it helps to check the timetable at the gate. A good day begins with an early train, reaching Lingshan by mid-morning and spending about three hours on the grounds. Lunch can be vegetarian food at the site, where Buddhist-style dishes are common, or local Wuxi dishes such as sweet braised spare ribs and soup buns after returning to the city. In the afternoon, visitors can head to Yuantouzhu on Taihu Lake, a lakeside park known for cherry blossoms in spring, or walk the Nanchan Temple and the old canal quarter before the evening train. March to May and October to November are the most comfortable seasons, while summer is hot and holiday weeks bring heavy crowds. Entry to Lingshan is ticketed, and separate fees apply for some attractions inside, so check the current prices before going. Trains between Nanjing and Wuxi run frequently, and the transfer to the scenic area is the most time-consuming leg.