A night view of Qingming Bridge, a local landmark built during the reign of Emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) [Photo provided to wuxinews.com.cn]
As dusk fell on the tranquil waters of the ancient canal, Congguifang, a rustic boat overflowing with antiquated beauty and filled to the brim with the anticipation and hunger of many foodies, fired up its engines and set sail on a journey around downtown Wuxi, offering plenty of enchanting night views and mouthwatering gourmet food along the way.
It is the most popular way for locals and tourists to whet their eyes and their appetite – drifting on the tranquil waters, breathing in the early summer breeze, traveling past time-honored landmarks such as Qingming Bridge and the ancient kiln site, and gorging themselves on Cantonese delicacies.
This echoes a famous Chinese saying and can be adapted as: "You are standing on the deck to enjoy riverside landscapes, and people standing on the riverside are watching you as landscapes."
The food is provided by Elesuite, a garden-style hotel featuring various ancient Chinese architectural elements. The trip was a cooperation effort with the Wuxi government and reflects the idea of "Consumption at ease, Experience in Wuxi". It aims to showcase efforts by local businesses to revitalize catering, health, hotels, tourism and shopping.
The courtyard of Elesuite offers tranquility and an escape from urban hustle and bustle. [Photo provided to wuxinews.com.cn]
As the COVID-19 epidemic wanes in Wuxi, the local government has strived to get locals out of their homes and into malls and tourist sites to stimulate consumption.
If you go:
Elesuite is located in downtown Wuxi at 11 Taosha Lane, near Metro Line 1 Nanchan Temple and Tandu Bridge stations. It is 2.4 kilometers from the Wuxi Railway Station, 11 km from Wuxi New District Railway Station, 15.2 km from Wuxi East Railway Station and 14 km from Sunan Shuofang International Airport. It enjoys a walking distance to renowned local scenic spots such as the Nanchan Temple, Yangchun Alley, Nanchang Street, and Qingming Bridge ancient canal scenic area.
