Birdwatching season tips
based on 472 reviewsTai Hu Yuantouzhu Scenic Spot is a peninsula in the northern part of Taihu Lake, named for its resemblance to a turtle raising its head. Here you can explore vast garden complexes, take a boat to experience the misty vastness of Taihu Lake, climb Taihu Fairy Island to discover hidden wonders, or visit in spring to admire cherry blossoms and appreciate the poetic essence of "the finest spot of Taihu—undoubtedly Yuantouzhu."
Every spring, the synchronized blooming of cherry blossoms creates a spectacular sight here, complemented by the lively Cherry Blossom Festival.

Tai Hu Yuantouzhu Scenic Spot is surrounded by water on three sides, featuring both the natural beauty of vast lakes with dotted sails and the idyllic scenery of mountain villages with small bridges and flowing streams. It represents the most picturesque landscape of Tai Lake. Taihu Fairy Island is a must-visit spot within Yuantouzhu, housing Taoist temples and grotto statues blending both Taoist and Buddhist elements. Climbing Luding Mountain on the peninsula offers panoramic views of the lakeside greenery, and on clear days, visitors can witness graceful boat shadows on the lake, experiencing the boundless beauty of Tai Lake. As a prime cherry blossom viewing destination, Tai Hu Yuantouzhu Scenic Spot offers two unique experiences: first, a comprehensive "land, water, and air" perspective for admiring blossoms; second, enchanting night viewing where cherry blossoms blend with artistic lighting. The early cherry blossoms here typically bloom in early March, mostly single or semi-double petal varieties. Cherry blossoms are categorized by blooming sequence into early and late varieties. Early blossoms have diverse types but shorter flowering periods (from initial bloom to petal fall) lasting about one week, while late blossoms can last 7-10 days. The interval between early and late blooms ranges 5-12 days depending on temperature changes, during which hybrid varieties flourish. The Somei Yoshino cherry usually reaches peak bloom in mid-to-late March, marking the optimal viewing period. The exact timing varies with weather conditions - cold fronts may delay this peak bloom period.

In summer, you can admire the beautiful lotus flowers in bloom.

Tai Hu Yuantouzhu Scenic Spot also features numerous historical sites and private gardens built by past elites, such as Hengyun Villa with its "Finest Spot of Taihu Lake" archway and Changchun Bridge, as well as Wuxi's ancient Guangfu Temple. Another highlight is appreciating the traces left by literati throughout history, including inscriptions, calligraphy, and paintings scattered throughout the area. If time permits, visit Wanlang Bridge—an excellent spot to enjoy sunsets over Taihu Lake.

The Chongshan Gate (main entrance, located in the southeast of the attraction) at Tai Hu Yuantouzhu Scenic Spot allows both entry and exit, while the Dushan Gate (northern part of the attraction) is exit-only. The entire attraction mainly consists of Yuantouzhu Peninsula, Taihu Fairy Island, and Zhongdushan. Exploring all the attractions typically takes a full day. For most visitors, we generally recommend the highlight tour route: Cruise Pier > Taihu Fairy Island > Best Scenic Spot of Taihu Lake > Hengyun Villa > Yuantouzhu Spring Waves > Guangfu Temple > Luding Hill.




























Other visitors' reviews of Tai Hu Yuantouzhu Scenic Spot
Show More ReviewsI went at the end of November. There were seagulls, which was nice, but the environment was just average. The boat ticket seemed a bit expensive, even though it wasn't a very long distance. The island had an incredible number of water mosquitoes, swarming everywhere.