MK sports Korea Qingming Bridge Ancient Canal Scenic Area on the night of February 15 Photo: Jiang Li/GT" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2025/2025-02-26/ccfde90c-d061-421a-ac5b-48d9740e4a62.jpeg" />

The Qingming Bridge Ancient Canal Scenic Area on the night of February 15 Photo: Jiang Li/GT

Wuxi, a city located in East China's Jiangsu Province, by the shores of the Taihu Lake, has long been hailed as the "Pearl of Jiangnan Water Towns." It embodies the ideal image of a traditional Jiangnan (the region located in the coastal area south of the Yangtze River) town in many people's hearts across the globe.

Whether it's a night stroll along the lantern-lit Qingming Bridge Ancient Canal Scenic Area or a walk-through along Nanchang Street to sample local delicacies, this city blends its historical heritage with the vibrant energy of modern life, injecting new vitality into ancient architecture. 

Enduring appeal

As a secondary venue for China's 2025 Spring Festival Gala, Wuxi attracted widespread attention for its unique Chinese Jiangnan style. In February, discussions surrounding the city reached a total reading volume of over one billion, making it a hot topic on the internet, according to Xinhua Daily.

One of the highlights of the gala was the Qingming Bridge on the ancient Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, one of Wuxi's most iconic historical and cultural landmarks, and a key part of the Grand Canal.

Today, a visit to the Qingming Bridge and the ancient Grand Canal reveals a comprehensive upgrade of the overall lighting project. At night, the canal's banks are adorned with a kaleidoscope of colorful lights, creating a dreamlike landscape. The ancient bridges, streets, and docks, bathed in this radiant glow, seem to transcend time and space, recreating the prosperous beauty of a traditional Jiangnan water town.

"This month, the number of visitors around the Qingming Bridge on the ancient Grand Canal has nearly doubled compared to last year, and the crowds continue to flow in," Wu Jiahui, a staff member of the ancient Grand Canal Scenic Area, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

"The layout of Nanchang Street along the Grand Canal remains as rich as ever, with lanterns filling the streets. Here, the main stage of the 2025 Spring Festival Gala, is still in place," he said, adding that "many young visitors love to share pictures of our city through a variety of social media platforms."

Another major attraction for tourists and locals alike is the night boat ride along the ancient Grand Canal. Surrounded by rippling water and intertwined lights, every bend, every bridge, serves as a testament to the passage of time in this city, guiding visitors deep into the historical layers of the ancient canal.

Beyond the Grand Canal, at Nianhua Bay, at the foot of Lingshan Mountain in Wuxi, a stunning display of a thousand drones and a hundred-meter-long fire dragon fireworks show were held during the Spring Festival, mesmerizing countless visitors. 
Gu Xiao, a local resident, told the Global Times that the night tour at Nianhua Bay not only emphasizes visual effects but also incorporates Zen culture.

"With traditional tea ceremonies and quiet spaces for reflection, guests can experience a moment of tranquility amidst the bustle of modern life," he said.

Innovating traditions

With a history spanning 7,000 years of human settlement, 3,100 years of written records, and over 2,200 years of urban development, Wuxi boasts a rich cultural heritage that has been passed down through the millennia, alongside thriving commerce. Ancient buildings and the Grand Canal complement each other, showcasing both natural landscapes and urban development, which has allowed the city to retain its vibrancy and prosperity over time.

This city was born by the river, prospered along its banks, and once stood as one of China's "Four Major Rice Markets." In the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and the Republic of China (1912-1949) periods, Wuxi experienced a remarkable transformation, becoming a modern industrial and commercial hub.

"In recent years, the local government has made significant efforts in preserving historical buildings and cultural heritage, aiming to leverage these structures by assigning them new purpose," a staff member from the Wuxi Municipal Commission of Development and Reform, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Global Times. "We have transformed them into modern cultural spaces that integrate cultural preservation, leisure, and tourism."

In the ancient buildings along Nanchang Street, visitors can enjoy local traditional performances such as opera, Pingtan (a form of musical storytelling), and folk music everywhere.

At a quaint restaurant named Huaxiaoxie, or Yummy Crab within one of these ancient buildings, diners can enjoy the seamless fusion of cuisine and music by tasting the renowned Taihu drunken crab on the upper floor, while listening to the sound of Kunqu opera coming from below. 

The Taihu drunken crab, a traditional dish from the Jiangnan region, has undergone multiple innovations by local restaurants, which offer unique new variations that retain the traditional flavor while also catering to contemporary tastes.

Today, through the restoration of historical heritage and the integration of cultural activities, Wuxi continues to promote a fascinating blend of culture and tourism, offering visitors a memorable, multi-dimensional experience.