Located on the north shore of China’s third largest fresh water body, Tai Lake, Wuxi is a rather old city of the Jiangsu Province. The northern part of the city is bounded by the Yangtze River, which has made its soil very fertile, and by the Tai Lake on the southern border, which is the site of a thriving fishing industry. For these reasons the city is sometimes referred to as the ‘Land of Fish and Rice’. Historically the ‘Pearl of Tai Lake’, as Wuxi is known, was an important port town, and was a trading post for rice and textiles. Currently Wuxi is a modern city, and one of the most rapidly developing cities in China. While the city is a highly urbanised area it still abounds with natural beauty; the areas around the Tai Lake and the Yangtze River are verdant paradises.
The Taihu Gourmet Festival is held every year between September and October. The purpose of the food festival is to encourage the food industry in the Taihu region. The festival also acts as a platform, displaying the culinary delicacies of Wuxi. The Taihu Gourmet Festival aims to bring together chefs from many different places to facilitate communication and the transfer of skill; in fact the theme for the festival is ‘learning from others’. It has also created a degree of competitiveness among the local catering community that has helped uplift the culinary standards.
The festival introduces the general public to the very best of the city’s chefs and restaurants. Popular local delicacies include fried gluten, sweetened pork dumplings and special spare ribs made Wuxi style. Visitors should also try the fresh steamed bun cooked in a bamboo steamer; oil dried bean curd, which is a popular local snack; and wonton with ‘three fresh ingredients’. 
The local infrastructure is pretty good and one can get around without too much hassle. Accommodation is also easy to find and there are plenty of options to choose from. Millennium Wuxi is a luxurious hotel in Wuxi located only around ten minutes from the airport. This Wuxi hotel is equipped with the best modern amenities making for a comfortable stay.