A dance show is performed at Meili Ancient Town. [Photo provided by Ali Fathy to en.wuxi.gov.cn]
I arrived at Meili Ancient Town, Wuxi, on the morning of Feb 25, and the grand gate rising over the open square immediately gave the place a proud, traditional feeling. Up close, the red door, lanterns, and festival banners made everything look ready for a special day, and I kept pausing to take in the details.
Ali Fathy tries playing drum at Meili Ancient Town. [Photo provided by Ali Fathy to en.wuxi.gov.cn]
Not long after, the performances began. Dancers in flowing pink costumes moved gracefully in front of the gate, calm and elegant, a perfect introduction to Wu Culture. Then the pace picked up as one show blended into the next: Drumming and percussion, followed by the festival highlights, lion dance, and the golden dragon dance. As the crowd gathered, the atmosphere grew louder and warmer, and for a moment it felt like the whole town was celebrating as one.
Ali Fathy tries lion dance at Meili Ancient Town. [Photo provided by Ali Fathy to en.wuxi.gov.cn]
Beyond watching, I got to join in holding a section of the dragon during the dance, moving it with my own hands as it waved through the crowd, trying the festival drum while performers cheered nearby, and taking photos with the lion and performance teams. Those small moments made everything feel welcoming and personal, not like I was passing through. The drumbeats were powerful and exciting, and playing the big festival drum was one of the highlights of the day.
Canal-side path at Meili Ancient Town. [Photo provided by Ali Fathy to en.wuxi.gov.cn]
I wandered along the canal-side path, where the town suddenly felt quiet and cinematic. The arched bridge framed the historic gate perfectly, and its reflection in the water was like a postcard moment. A little further on, modern decorations added a fun surprise: a colorful horse sculpture on the rooftop with a "waterfall" of flowers, clearly a cheerful nod to the Year of the Horse, which made the walk feel fresh and festive.
A colorful horse sculpture on the rooftop with a "waterfall" of flowers. [Photo provided by Ali Fathy to en.wuxi.gov.cn]
I also visited the Meicun Erhu Culture Exhibition Center, and it became one of the calmest and most meaningful parts of the day. Inside, I saw a neat display of the erhu and its components – the wooden body, the bow, and the tools used to shape and maintain it, which showed how much careful craftsmanship is behind its sound.
Display of the erhu and its components – the wooden body, the bow, and the tools used to shape and maintain it at the Meicun Erhu Culture Exhibition Center. [Photo provided by Ali Fathy to en.wuxi.gov.cn]
After exploring the exhibits, I listened to an artist perform live on the erhu. The melody was gentle and emotional, and the quiet room made every note feel clearer and closer. That combination of learning how the instrument is made and then hearing it played helped me appreciate the erhu not just as an instrument, but as a living part of Chinese culture and storytelling.
A sign says I love Wuxi. [Photo provided by Ali Fathy to en.wuxi.gov.cn]
By the end of the day, I understood why my friends recommended Wuxi. It brings together culture, warm hospitality, and beautiful scenery in one place. As an Egyptian, I truly admired how tradition is kept alive and shared in such a welcoming way. I would absolutely recommend Meili Ancient Town to any friends visiting China.
Ali Fathy poses for a group photo with performers at the Taibo Temple Fair. [Photo provided by Wuxi Lounge to en.wuxi.gov.cn]
The author, Ali Fathy, hailing from Egypt, is a PhD student in Construction Management at Southeast University, Nanjing. He previously served as an assistant lecturer at Tanta University, Egypt and has been living in China since August 2024
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