Wuxi

Wuxi sits on the shores of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, about 130 kilometres west of Shanghai. It is best known internationally for the Lingshan Grand Buddha — a 88-metre bronze standing Buddha that is one of the tallest Buddhist statues in the world — and for Yuantouzhu (Turtle Head Isle), a scenic peninsula that is China's finest cherry blossom viewing destination outside of Wuhan.

Wuxi is a prosperous, well-maintained city with a genuine local character that many larger Chinese tourist destinations lack. The old canal district around Qingming Bridge is atmospheric and walkable — traditional whitewashed buildings along narrow waterways, preserved better than many comparable old streets. Huishan Ancient Town preserves Qing Dynasty architecture and the tradition of Huishan clay figures, a folk art form recognised as national intangible cultural heritage.