Yuantouzhu Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information
The pavilions, bridges, and small ponds of the lakeside gardens are designed to accentuate the beauty of the natural landscape, not create an artificial landscape as many traditional Chinese gardens try to do, especially those in Suzhou.
Something needs to know
Yuantouzhu literally means "the Head of the Dragon-Turtle," inspired the way the peninsula dramatically juts out into the lake. It has been visited and admired by poets, painters, and tourists for centuries. In almost every dynasty famous poets have left poems praising the area's striking natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere.
Although it has been a well known scenic spot for centuries, the area was first made into a garden in the late 19th century, and the narrow bridges and pavilions seen today date from this period. Several successful Wuxi businessmen bought much of peninsula and turned it into their country estates, where they find relief from the stress of their work by admiring the natural landscape.
Special Chinese garden
The park in the islet takes advantage of the natural scenery of the Lake Taihu to create a traditional garden with traditional buildings, luxuriant but well-spaced woods, flowers, exotic rocks along the bank of the lake.
Many other classical gardens were created by officials as a retreat from the outside world, with its stresses and politics. Their walled gardens were an attempt to create alternate natural environment as an escape from the outside world.
In contrast, Yuantouzhu was laid out by successful merchants and businessmen with a more optimistic and confident outlook. They came to the shores of Lake Taihu for pleasure and relaxation, and to entertain friends, not to escape the demands of the outside world, and the design of the gardens reflects this different motivation.
Beautiful scenery on it
The most beautiful part of Yuantouzhu is at the tip of the peninsula. Rocky cliffs carved with ancient calligraphy loom near small ponds teeming with lotus flowers and crossed by arching bridges, while balustrade causeways curve out into the lake.
One side of the peninsula faces the forested coastline, while on the other side the great lake stretches out into the distance, its other shore far out of sight. This part of the garden is especially beautiful in spring, when the countless cherry trees planted here bloom, their pink and white blossoms contrasting beautifully with the blue water of the lake and the green hillsides behind.
The rest of the peninsula is laced with narrow trails leading through the woods and down to the coastline, passing pagodas and pavilions, small shrines and ancient calligraphy carved into weathered stone tablets.
Turtle Head Islet Park
Turtle Head Islet Park is mainly made of the natural landscape, augmented by man-made additions. Flowers and trees can be seen everywhere. Various kinds of architecture are strategically placed among the trees and shrubs. All conspire to make the park graceful and elegant.
Covered by dense plants, the park has numerous rocks in various shapes. There are also many beautiful constructions built among the trees, including Changchun Bridge (Evergreen Bridge), Feiyun Pavilion (Scud Pavilion), Jinsong Pavilion (Sturdy Pine Pavilion), Wanfang Pavilion (All-places Pavilion), and Guangfu Temple (Bright Fortune Temple), etc.
"Islets of Immortals"
When enjoy yourself here, you can see three small islands. They are known as the "Islets of Immortals," since classical authors imagined that Daoist sages and nature spirits would be drawn to a place of such great natural beauty, and also separated from the human world by the lake.
Although the immortals aren't frequent visitors today, their legends have inspired a range of scenic spots hidden beneath the islands' trees. One of the most impressive is a giant bronze statue of Lao-tzu, its green patina blending with the surrounding forests. And many other small temples and dot the islets.
Getting around
The first thing that visitors will encounter in the park is a memorial arch. Passing through the Jianjin gate and the Lishe gate, you will reach the Changchun Bride, where clusters of cherry trees grow. In early spring the cherry blossoms bloom in full profusion, deeply red or Chinese white, like colorful clouds and morning fog, splendid and dazzling. These cherry trees are donated by friends from Japan.
Across Changchun Bridge, turn left from another arch you will see a lotus pond, a curved bridge and the Huxin Pavilion. The "depth of lotus" is a good place to view and admire lotus in summer. "Qingfen Islet" is in the center of the lotus pond and connected to the land with small bridge. There are three open halls in ancient style built on the islet named "Songfen Hall."
The best way to enjoy the beauty
Taking a boat cruising on the lake is the best way to experience the beauty here.
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Nanwan Monkey Island
Summer Palace
Norbulingka Park
Tiger Hill
Yuantouzhu
Humble Administrator's Garden
West Hill
Diecai Hill
Fubo Hill
Elephant Trunk Hill
Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone
Liuyuan Garden
Jinshan Temple
Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden
Tianyi Pavilion
Eling Park
Long Island
Seven Star Park
Yuelu Academy
Moon Hill
Luhuitou Park
Xinglong Tropical Botanical Garden
Beijing Zoo
Fragrant Hill
Jinshitan Scenic Area
Chongqing Zoo
Wangjiang Park
Wenshuyuan
Beihai Park
Old Summer Palace
Siberia Tiger Park
Turtle Garden
Yuquan Park
Liyuan Garden
Panmen Gate
Yuyuan Garden
Big Banyan Tree
Grand View Tower
Merryland World
Master-of-Nets Garden
Heyuan Garden
Grand View Garden
White Pagoda Mountain Park
Waterwheel Park
Sun Island Park
Wenfeng Park
Green Lake Park
Jade Buddha Park
Qianling Park
