Longtouzhu

Longtouzhu

Longtouzhu is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Located in the southwest of Mashan, Wuxi. The mountain range resembles a dragon stretching directly into the lake. Its shape features a dragon head, dragon tongue, dragon eye, dragon neck, dragon back, dragon claws, and an overall dragon form, spanning 2,500 meters in length with strikingly lifelike details.

History: Over 2,500 years ago, King Helü of Wu built a summer palace here, crafted Taihu pleasure boats, and pioneered Taihu-style boat cuisine, setting the precedent for resort tourism. In 494 BC, the famous Battle of Fuchai, where King Fuchai of Wu decisively defeated the Yue Kingdom, erupted around Longtouzhu. To this day, the remains of the ancient war drum platform where King Fuchai personally beat the drums can still be found. More than 2,000 years ago, Emperor Qin Shi Huang traveled east to Kuaiji, and his divine horse stopped here, leaving behind four hoof prints. Since then, Fuzhi Mountain was renamed Maji Mountain (now commonly referred to as Mashan). Since then, literati from various dynasties have left numerous inscriptions here.

Legend: A local tale tells of the "Dragon Head Severing." In ancient times, a green dragon would sneak into the lake at night, disturbing a sacred deer on Lushan. The encounters between the deer and the dragon caused unrest among the people. Thus, 18 warriors from Lushan beheaded the dragon and nailed its head in place with copper spikes. Ever since, the area has been called "Longtouzhu" (Dragon Head Islet). Transportation: Take a special shuttle bus from the Grand Buddha at Lingshan; buses run every half hour.

Address: No. 108 Huanshan West Road, Binhu District, Wuxi City

Type: Lake island/peninsula

Rating: AAA

Recommended visiting time: 2–3 hours

Phone: 0510-85680600

Official website: http://www.china-ltz.com/

Opening hours:

08:30–16:30.