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A small rocky islet with a red and white lighthouse and bare trees, in a calm lake with distant hills under a pale hazy sky

Jiangsu · Turtle Head Isle on Lake Tai

Yuantouzhu, Lake Tai (鼋头渚)

A rocky peninsula on the north-west shore of Lake Tai, named for its turtle-head shape and known for its lake views and spring cherry blossom.

Quick Facts

The Short Version

What it isA peninsula park on the north-west shore of Lake Tai, near Wuxi
WhereWuxi, Jiangsu, on the shore of Lake Tai
NameYuantouzhu means Turtle Head Isle, from the shape of the headland
HistoryThe site became a park in 1916, and celebrated its centenary in 2016
Time neededHalf a day, longer in the cherry blossom season
ListedA national 5A scenic area

Why Go

A Headland, a Lake and a Season of Blossom

1. A lake view from a headland

Lake Tai is one of China's large freshwater lakes, and Yuantouzhu is the part of its shore where rock meets the water. A lighthouse stands on a rocky islet, a shelf of rock lets visitors walk to the edge of the lake, and tourist boats leave from the quays for the Sanshan Islands.

On the headland, pavilions and a temple sit among trees, and a tall tower rises above them as a landmark.

2. The cherry blossom season

The park is well known for its spring cherry blossom, which opens in March and April and draws large crowds. Pink-white trees surround a pavilion and the paths, and visitors come for the combination of blossom and open water.

Outside the blossom season the park is quieter, and the views of the lake and its islands are the reason to come.

A temple pavilion with a red double roof among green trees and a tall tower on the hill behind it, with visitors on a paved court in front
A temple pavilion below the tower on the hill.
Visitors standing on a shelf of weathered rock at the water's edge, with islands and sailing boats on the lake behind
The rock shelf at the water, with islands on the lake.
A white and red lighthouse tower seen from below through tree branches, with the lake and distant visitors behind
The lighthouse seen through the trees.
A red-roofed multi-storey tower beside a pond and a bank of cherry trees in full pink-white blossom, with a crowd on the path in front
A tower among the cherry blossom in spring.
A paved path through cherry trees in blossom, with a low tiled pavilion at the centre and many visitors walking the path
A path through the blossom.

Practical

Things Worth Knowing

Avoid the weekend crowds in March and April

The blossom brings large numbers, so a weekday early visit is easier.

Take a boat

Boats to the Sanshan Islands give a view of the headland from the water.

Wear walking shoes

The park has steps and uneven rock near the shore.

Pair with Wuxi

The park is a short ride from central Wuxi.

Nearby

Other Stops on the Same Trip

Spot · across the lake

Lake Tai at Wuzhong

The southern shore of the same lake, on the Suzhou side.

A half day.

City guide

Wuxi (无锡)

The base city, with canal districts and the Lingshan Grand Buddha.

Where to Base

Wuxi (无锡)

The park is on the north-west shore of the lake, within reach of central Wuxi by bus and taxi, so Wuxi is the natural base.

Go on a weekday, choose the blossom season if the crowds are acceptable, and give the headland half a day.

Photo Credits

Related

Keep Exploring Wuxi

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Routes and day trips from Wuxi

Plan a Jiangsu Route That Includes Yuantouzhu

Share the travel dates and interests, and our local team will build the route around Yuantouzhu, with Wuxi and Suzhou.

Private routes in Wuxi (无锡): Lingshan Grand Buddha Day Trip from Wuxi, USD 305 per person for 2 · Taihu Lake Day Trip from Wuxi, USD 305 per person for 2

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