Hongshan Taibo Scenic Area

Hongshan Taibo Scenic Area

Overview

Located at the southern foot of scenic Hongshan Mountain, Wuxi Hongshan Taibo Scenic Area is also known as the Mound of the King of Wu and the Royal Mausoleum. Taibo Tomb is near the mountain, imposingly facing south. The Square of Wu Culture, the stone archway, Yangzhi Pavilion and the pavilion with royal inscriptions stand inside the scenic area. The seat of the Taibo king of the State od Wu is South China's most important tomb and a national cultural site, one of the 18 tourst sites in Wuxi and a 4A scenic spot, with the Shibei Buiding, Yangzhi and Yubei pavilions, Yueya Pool and the Ming Dynasty Sileng Stele. 

Wu Taibo, the founder of Wu culture, who is praised for his nobility and humility in giving away his crown to his younger brother. Wu culture is immensely popular in Wuxi and throughout Jiangsu province. Featuring Wu culture, the scenic area integrates natural and cultural landscapes, and displays the 3,000-plus-year history of production, culture and folk customs in the Area of Wu with various materials including manuscripts, statues and inscriptions.

Hongshan Taibo Tomb in the Wuxi is a must visit when you are a first-time visitor in Wuxi.

Who is Taibo

Taibo or Wu Taibo was the eldest son of King Tai of Zhou and the legendary founder of the State of Wu. His birth and death dates are unknown. Taibo was the founder of the State of Wu – a state during the Western Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-771 BC) and the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) - and made Meili (now in Wuxi, Jiangsu province) as its capital. During his reign, Taibo developed irrigation, encouraged agriculture, and dug the Canal Du. He is customarily known as the propagator of all people surnamed Wu.

What's Wu Culture

Wu Culture refers to the material and spiritual culture of the region of Wudi and developed before the period of the Wu State (12th century BC-473 BC). The culture reached its peak during the Sui (AD581-618), Tang (AD618-907), Song (960-1297), Yuan (1271-1368) and Ming (1368-1644) dynasties after developing during the Warring States Period (475-221BC) and the Qin (221-206BC), Han (206BC-220), Wei (AD 220-265), Jin (AD 265-420) and Southern and Northern (AD 420-581) dynasties. During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)and the early modern age, it changed from a static traditional culture to a more modern one in feudal and capitalism societies. Over the last decade, the culture festival here has given the city greater recognition and has shown the rich culture of Wudi under the banner of "Inheriting Wudi civilization, exploring cultural heritage, highlighting the city's uniqueness and constructing a cultural city". 

More recently, people from Taiwan have joined people from the mainland as well as from Hong Kong and Macao in coming to worship their ancestors and take part in the temple fairs, forums and theatrical performances, which has caused the culture festival to become a festival for all of Wuxi and it has been honored as one of China's best known festivals.

What to See in Hongshan Taibo Scenic Area

China (Wuxi) Wu Culture Festival
The China (Wuxi) Wu Culture Festival is held every Aril here for members of the Wu clans who are seeking their roots and to worship ancestors.

There was an Wu Culture performance on opening day, and also a Qin Bo worship ceremony to commemorate the sages of the past and the Wu spirit of honoring virtue and culture, being practical, and coming up with new ideas. Wu culture is a major part of South China culture, with its own distinct reagonal characteristics, which has attracted praise of its achievements for hundreds of years, and has promoted the economic and social development of South China and contributed to Chinese culture as a whole. And Wuxi, as an important Wu culture site, has the responsibility of protecting the culture, hence the "Famous Culture City" promotion.

The cultural activities of Central Digital TV Calligraphy Channel ran consecutively with this year's Wu Culture Festival to promote socialist values, use culture to educate the masses, direct social development, reflect the radiance and beauty of urban history, show the glory of Wu culture in a new period, and provide strong cultural support for Wuxi in the modernization process. 

Taibo Temple Fair
The annual Taibo Temple Fair opened in Meili town. The temple fair commemorates Wu Taibo, the founder of Wu culture, who is praised for his nobility and humility in giving away his crown to his younger brother. Wu culture is immensely popular in Wuxi and throughout Jiangsu province.

Taibo Temple is located near the entrance of the ancient town. It is now Wuxi's largest and best-preserved architectural complex of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Every January 9 of the Chinese lunar calendar, hundreds of thousands of Wuxi residents go to the local Taibo Temple in Meili town to worship their ancestors and take part in various activities. The temple fair is one of the most significant events in the city and in all of Jiangsu province.

The Taibo Temple Fair was approved as one of Wuxi's first Intangible Cultural Heritages in 2017. It was listed as a Jiangsu Intangible Cultural Heritage in July 2009, and was named a National Intangible Heritage for the fourth time in December 2014. The fair will run for 8 days, and will feature 18 troupes performing the lion dance, waist drum, stilt walking, and other local folk acts.

The organizer offered hand-drawn maps that mark all the events clearly, including the schedule, lists of intangible cultural heritages, and special local food. This added some extra flavor to the traditional temple fair.

Travel Guide

Opening Hours: 08:00--17:00
Tel: 0510-8581341

How to get to there

Bus route: Take bus No. 712, you can reach Taibo Scenic Area directly.