A sinologist tries making purple clay teapot in Wuxi. [Photo provided to gowuxi.com]

Wuxi's airport handled 86 inbound and outbound flights during the five-day May Day holiday, accommodating over 9,230 passengers, including nearly 600 foreign tourists.

Today's foreign travelers are no longer satisfied with mere sightseeing; they are eager to immerse themselves in cultural experiences. Huishan Ancient Town has become a must-visit spot, where an Australian tourist strolled its cobblestone streets, remarking, "Time slows down here". Ten global sinologists who explored Wuxi described it as "a place where immortals might live", while British sinologist Nicky Harman expressed her desire to become a "ferryman of Jiangnan stories". 

Wang Lianggang, general manager of Wuxi Yude International Travel Agency, said that nearly 400 tourists from Southeast Asia preferred immersive activities such as live performances and hands-on experiences during the holiday.

Visitors pose for a group selfie in Wuxi. [Photo provided to gowuxi.com]

In the first quarter of this year, Wuxi welcomed 90,800 overnight foreign tourists, marking a 16.7 percent increase compared to the previous year. According to TripAdvisor, a world-leading travel platform, Wuxi ranks among the six most popular cities in Jiangsu for international tourists, with high ratings for its attractions, including Lingshan Mountain, Nianhuawan Bay and Huishan Ancient Town. 

Wuxi is now transitioning from being a "transit city" to becoming an "overnight destination" for international tourists. In February, the city signed agreements with online travel agencies and travel companies to establish direct entry routes via Shanghai. Along with visa-free policies, increased international flights and other measures designed to facilitate foreign visitors, Wuxi is rapidly becoming a go-to destination for in-depth travel.