Wuxi Xihui Park, China

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Xihui Park

The Xihui Park is located at Wuxi City, 2.5 kilometers west of the city. Occupying an area of 6.85 square kilometers, the park named after Mount Hui and Mount Xi. It is the most important scenic spot in Wuxi City.

Legend said that the 75 meters high Mount Xi abounded in tin in the ancient times. The mountain is densely wood and spread with beautiful flowers and plants.

On the top of the mountain are Longguang Pagoda and Temple ("the luster of dragon"). Erecting on the top of the mountain, the magnificent Longguang Pagoda is the symbol of Wuxi City.

Built in Ming Dynasty, the 32.2 meters high pagoda is in brick and wood structure, with 7 stories and 8 angles. The pagoda commands a full view of Wuxi City. Standing on the pagoda, you can not only see the high buildings in the urban area but fields, lake and hills.

Beneath Longguang Pagoda is Longguang Cave. The 300 meters long cave used to be an air raid shelter. Later it used for amusement. In the cave, there are 13 display rooms, in which golden fish, flowers, birds, potted landscapes, and jades are on display.

The Mountain Hui is 329 meters high, on which stand nine peaks. Because the shape of the peaks suggests nine dragons, Mount Hui also called Mountain of Nine Dragons. It has the reputation of "The First Mountain in South China".

Mountain Hui is famous for its plenty of spring pools. There are more than ten spring pools on the mountain. "Nine dragons and thirteen spring pools" on the Mount Hui have been talked with great relish by people since the ancient time.

The mountain abounds with scenic spots and historical sites. Among them the most famous are Chunshen Ravine, Huishan Temple, and Pleasure Garden.

Situated at the Xiuzhang Street on Mount Hui, Huishan Temple was built in the first years of Northern and Southern Dynasty. The 1500-year-old temple is the oldest temple in Wuxi City.

The major relics preserved in the Huishan Temple are Ancient Huishan Gate, Imperial Tablet Pavilion, Stone House of Listening to Pines, Tower of Rising Clouds, Stone Jingchuang in Tang & Song Dynasties.

According to the historic records, Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Qianlong in Ch'ing Dynasty were abound to come to the Xihui Park while they were traveling in south China. Emperor Qianlong was so fond of the scenery in Pleasure Garden that he ordered to build an identical garden in Summer Palace named Garden of Harmonious Interests so that he could visit it in Beijing.