If you're still pondering where to go this May Day holiday, consider following the path of a group of sinologists and delving into the charms of Wuxi, Jiangsu province.
First stop: Yixing Bamboo Sea
Spanning the borders of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui provinces, this vast bamboo forest stretches over 800 miles and is celebrated as the "First Bamboo Sea of East China". British translator Nicky Harman, standing amidst the dense bamboo grove, took a deep breath and said, "Firmly on the green mountain it clings, never to let go, roots deeply planted in the broken rocks." This poem by Zheng Banqiao (1693-1766) perfectly captured her feelings in that serene moment.
Sinologists explore Gu'nan Street. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]
Second stop: Dingshu Gu'nan Street
The old brick and wood houses along this street mainly preserve the traditional layout of "shops in the front, workshops in the back and living quarters upstairs". Swedish sinologist Schweiger Irmgard spent time at the Fan Family Teapot Shop, where she kneaded, patted and shaped clay, dedicating half a day to crafting a charmingly imperfect little cup. The most unforgettable travel souvenirs are not those that are purchased but rather those that are crafted by one's own hands.
Sinologists visit Jichang Garden. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]
Third stop: Jichang Garden
Dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), this renowned Jiangnan garden beautifully integrates natural landscapes into its design. With jagged rocks and ever-changing seasonal scenery, it offers a feast for the senses. Canadian scholar Elham Sadat Mirzania marveled, "This place is so romantic and an incredible source of inspiration for literary creation." Meanwhile, Mexican professor Liljana Arsovska preferred to savor the surroundings alone: "I feel like just sitting here makes you smarter, absorbing the spirit of the landscape."
Fourth stop: Hongshan Site Museum
This site is one of Jiangsu's most important archaeological discoveries of the 21st century. The museum is home to the Jade Flying Phoenix, a micro-carving masterpiece from the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) and Warring States Period (475-221 BC). This intricate piece features detailed scale and feather patterns, all within a size of only a few centimeters. Turkish sinologist Giray Fidan, who has translated ancient texts from that era for years, saw these artifacts for the first time and remarked, "So small, yet so exquisite..."
Fifth stop: Nanchang Street
As night falls by the Qingming Bridge, the ancient Grand Canal shimmers with ripples, and the 400-year-old bridge arches gracefully over the water like a crescent moon. As the boat docked, South Korean scholar Kim Tae Sung provided the most beautiful commentary of the journey: "I have translated many novels about Jiangnan in South Korea, but tonight I truly stepped into one."
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