Hengyun Hotel Restaurant (Yuantouzhu)

Hengyun Hotel Restaurant (横云饭店) is a lakeside restaurant inside the Yuantouzhu Scenic Area on the shore of Lake Taihu in Binhu District, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China. Yuantouzhu, whose name refers to a turtle-head-shaped rock jutting into the lake, is one of the most visited scenic areas in the Wuxi region and is known for its lake views, gardens and cherry blossom season. The restaurant serves the traditional dishes of the Taihu boat-dining tradition, which is built around freshwater fish and shrimp caught in the lake. The signature dishes are the Taihu three whites (太湖三白), a regional set of three pale lake delicacies usually understood as white fish, whitebait and white shrimp; the Taihu whitebait omelette, a soft egg dish made with small silvery fish; and boat-style steamed fish, cooked simply to preserve the sweetness of the fresh catch. The setting is scenic rather than formal, with lake views and a clientele that includes many tour groups, so lunchtime can be busy and noisy. Dress is casual. There is no wine programme to speak of, and tea, soft drinks and beer are the usual drinks. Prices are mid-range at roughly CNY 60-120 per person, which is typical for a scenic-area restaurant. Opening hours are listed as roughly 11AM-2PM, with the focus on lunch, so visitors should plan to eat during the day and not expect dinner service. Reservations are not usually required for individual diners, but groups and holiday-period visitors may want to arrange a table in advance. The restaurant is convenient for visitors who do not want to leave the scenic area to eat, and a meal here fits naturally between morning and afternoon sightseeing. Entry to the scenic area is separate and requires a ticket.