Yuantouzhu is a peninsula located in the northern part of Lake Taihu, named for its shape resembling a turtle with its head raised. Here, you can explore the vast garden complex, enjoy a boat ride through the misty expanse of Lake Taihu, visit the Fairyland Island for a glimpse of a mystical realm, or come in spring to appreciate the cherry blossoms, experiencing the poetic charm of ‘The finest spot by Lake Taihu is indeed Yuantouzhu’. The annual spring cherry blossom bloom is a great spectacle here, accompanied by a lively cherry blossom festival. Surrounded by water on three sides, Yuantouzhu offers both the natural beauty of mountains and vast waters with distant sailboats and the pastoral scenery of small bridges over flowing streams, making it a showcase of the stunning scenery of Lake Taihu. Fairyland Island is a must-visit place in Yuantouzhu, featuring Taoist temples and statues of both Taoist and Buddhist figures. Climbing the Deer Peak Mountain on the peninsula allows one to take in the verdant lakefront view, and on clear days, one can see the graceful reflections of boats on the lake, feeling the vast beauty of Lake Taihu. Yuantouzhu is unique as a cherry blossom viewing spot, first, for its ‘water-land-air’ panoramic cherry blossom viewing experience, and second, for the opportunity to view cherry blossoms at night, where the blossoms are beautifully illuminated by lights. The early cherry blossoms in Yuantouzhu usually bloom in early March, mostly with single or semi-double petals. Based on the blooming sequence of cherry blossoms, they are divided into early and late varieties, with early-blooming cherry blossoms having a variety of types and a blooming period (from initial bloom to full bloom to petal fall) of about a week. The blooming period for late cherry blossoms can last 7-10 days, with a 5-12 day interval between early and late blooming periods, during which some hybrid cherry blossom varieties bloom. Generally, in mid-to-late March, the Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms enter their peak blooming period, which is also the best viewing period. The exact timing of the peak blooming period depends on the weather at the time; if there is a cold front, it may delay the peak blooming period. In summer, one can admire the beautiful lotus flowers. Yuantouzhu also features many historical sites and private gardens built by celebrities of the past, such as the Hengyun Villa which includes the ‘Finest Spot by Lake Taihu’ gate tower and Changchun Bridge, and the ancient Guangfu Temple in Wuxi. Delving into the traces, stone carvings, calligraphy, and paintings left behind by celebrities and literati throughout the ages is also a great pleasure of visiting Yuantouzhu. Additionally, if time permits, one can visit the Wanlang Bridge, a prime spot for viewing the sunset over Lake Taihu. The Chongshan Gate (main gate, southeast of the scenic area) can be used for both entry and exit, while the Dushan Gate (north of the scenic area) is for exit only. The entire scenic area is mainly composed of Yuantouzhu Peninsula, Fairyland Island, and Zhongdu Mountain. It takes about a whole day to visit all the attractions. For most visitors, the recommended itinerary is: Boat Dock – Fairyland Island – Finest Spot by Lake Taihu – Hengyun Villa – Yuanzhu Spring Waves – Guangfu Temple – Deer Peak Mountain. Opening hours are from October 8th to July 14th from 08:00 to 16:30, and from July 15th to October 7th from 06:30 to 17:00. The operational hours for transportation within the park are: buses run from Monday to Sunday from 08:45 to 17:00, and the Fairyland Island ferry runs from Monday to Sunday from 08:20 to 16:20. Preferential policies include free admission for children under 6 years old (inclusive) or under 1.4 meters in height (inclusive) with valid identification, and free admission for seniors over 70 years old (inclusive) with valid identification; seniors aged 60 to 70 years old (inclusive to 70, exclusive of 70) can enjoy half-price concessions with valid identification, available for purchase at the ticket office of the Chongshan Gate.
Discounted Admission for Minors: Half-price for minors aged 6 (excluding) to 18 (inclusive) with valid identification, Half-price for People with Disabilities: Half-price with valid identification, Free Admission for Active and Retired Military Personnel, Retired Non-Commissioned Officers (Sergeants): Free with valid identification, Free Admission for Military Personnel: Active military personnel with valid identification, Free Admission for Journalists: Free with valid identification, Half-price Admission for Students: Half-price for full-time undergraduate students and below. Supplementary Notes: 1. Daytime free admission does not include free night tour policy. (For details, see the ‘Wuxi City Park Scenic Spot Discount Admission Overview’). 2. During the night tour event, Wuxi Garden One Card, Turtle Head Isle Annual Pass, and Xi Xi Baby Parent-Child Card are not valid. Wuxi medical workers and their spouses and children do not enjoy free ticket policy. Service Facilities Parking: [Turtle Head Isle Parking] Reference Price: ￥20/day; Address: Turtle Head Isle Scenic Area Chongshan Parking Lot; Spaces: 2000; 15 yuan/day (weekdays for small vehicles), 20 yuan/day (large vehicles), 30 yuan/day (small vehicles on public holidays). WIFI: Account: aWiFi-WUXIFree; Password: No password required; Coverage: Full coverage. Mobile Phone Charging: Charging cables for Apple and Android phones are provided at the scenic spot visitor center. Luggage Storage: Reference Price: Free storage with a deposit of 50 yuan required. Scenic Spot Interpretation: Guide service is provided at the Chongshan entrance guide office, scenic spot visitor center, Chongshan gate, and Shangshan Chuanmei archway guide pavilion. Park Transportation: Reference Price: Paid. Restrooms: Several restrooms are located near Chongshan gate, Hengyun Restaurant, and Sakura Valley, with clear signs. Smoking Area: Smoking is allowed in non-tour boat, restaurant, and forest areas. Dining: Hengyun Restaurant (next to the tour boat dock), Jue Shangfang (Taihu Fairy Island), Tianxiang Tower (Taihu Fairy Island), Note: Alipay and WeChat payment are accepted. Vending Machines: Two vending machines are located at Taihu Fairy Island Square and next to Chongshan Visitor Center, Note: Alipay and WeChat payment are not accepted.
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