Jiangsu Province 江 苏 省 简 介 - Wuxi 无锡市 - Huishan and Xishan Hills 惠山和锡山

Located east of Lake Tai and west of the New Canal, Huishan Hill and the New Canal set off each other, with the former resembling a prone dragon on the bank and the latter the Milky Way on land. Huishan Hill towers 329 meters and about 20 kilometers in circumference. It is an extension of the Tianmu Mountains stretching from southeast. The hill has been long famous for peaks, gullies and springs, hence the title of “nine dragons and thirteen springs.” Among the numerous springs, the most celebrated is the Second Best Spring Under Heaven. Many stone dragon mouths of primitive simplicity, also called “dragon heads,” were built in the pools of the springs here, and there are, according to historical records, nine “dragon heads.” Legend has it that Zhu Yuanzhang (1328-1398, reigned 1368-1398), first emperor of the Ming Dynasty, together with Liu Bowen, his army advisor, went on an inspection tour to Wuxi, in the 4th century. On seeing the beautiful landscape and meeting outstanding personages in Wuxi, and also being told by Liu Bowen that there would be 9 emperors and 13 generals from Wuxi. Zhu Yuanzhang was in fear that they might seize the state power of the Ming from him. Instigated by Liu, Zhu had a stone dragon mouth built on each dragon head and 13 springs were dug to control the dragons, hence the name of “nine dragons and thirteen springs” at Huishan Hill.

Ming-dynasty artisans first discovered the special qualities of Huishan Hill clay, which is ideal for moulding and dries to a remarkable hardness.

Jichang (Ease of Ming) Garden, also called Qin Garden, is located at the east foot of Huishan Hill and north side of Xihui Park. Being endowed with scenic spots, it has been a famous hillside villa garden since the Ming Dynasty. The garden used to be a residence for monks in the 13th century. Qin Jin, a Wuxi native in the 17th century, changed it into a garden. Qin Jin, also known as Qin Fengshan, used this garden as a villa for mental cultivation and retired here. Once Qin was of high rank and his garden was well preserved and became more than more prosperous. In 1599 it was renamed Jichang Garden. The garden, encompassing one Hectare (2.471 acres), is a small and exquisitely constructed by making most of the scenes of Xishan and Huishan hills and the Second Best Spring Under Heaven into the garden. With its excellent landscaping it is considered as a paragon of gardens.

Xishan Hill, located in the west of the city and near the New Canal, is the east peak of Huishan Hill, with a height of 74.8 meters. Just like two dragons playing with a pearl, Xishan Hill and Huishan Hill add much vitality to the city of Wuxi. Dragon Light Pagoda is a majestic brick octagonal pagoda with seven storeys on the top of Xishan Hill. Standing against Huishan Hill, it is the symbol of Wuxi. In the past red lanterns were hung on the eight angles during the festivals, giving a distant impression of burning trees. Now decorative lanterns of all colours make the scene more charming and attractive.

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