Wuxi has many famous and unique sites. Besides the Ling Shan Big Buddha and Tai Hu, there are also the film castles. The most notable 3 film castles are the 3 Kingdoms castle and Water Margin castle. The major classic reproduction on tv is filmed here in Wuxi.
So we decide to set the sunday morning visiting these 2 castles at one go. The entrance is 90RMB for the 2 sights.
We arrived at the main gate and saw hordes of tourists coming out of the 3 Kingdom castle. I get a feeling this place is going to be a touristy place with an overwhelming crowd population.
Once we are in the castle, we see terracotta figurines of the main characters from the 3 kingdoms. Below is a picture of the Kingdom of Shu led by Liu Bei and his brave generals. I managed to climb up on of this and took a photo with them. It feels much like cardboard instead of the real stone terracotta warriors.
Next is one of the main scenes of the 3 kingdoms with the Tao Yuan garden. This is where the leader of Shu, Liu Bei took vows of brotherhood with his generals Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.
We walked further up and arrived at the palace of the Wu Kingdom. Just nice at that time they are having a performance of ancient muscial instruments.
From the palace heights, it gives a paranomic view of the entire castle grounds up to Tai Hu.
Walking down the steps, we arrived at Lake Taihu. Several ships are stationed there. These wooden ships are used in the filming of the famous battle of Chi Bi. It is a Wu-Shu alliance against the Wei in this decisive and important sea battle.
We walked towards the hill nearby and up a sentry tower which gives anothe perspective of Tai Hu.
At the end of the 3 Kingdom castles tour, we arrived at a buddhist temple. I guess this buddhist temple is not part of the original exhibition and may have been in this area for some time.
The monk in the temple knock on the bell at regular 15 minutes interval.
Visit to the Water Margin Castle
We left the 3 Kingdom castle after and hour and a half of exploration. Next is the Water Margin castle. The castle area is much larger than the 3 Kingdoms.
There are larger and more exquisite palaces in the Water Margin castle.
Here is a scene of the palace surroundings. It look really peaceful and grand. The crowd has thinned a lot by this time.
A filming crew is in action, preparing for their next serial.
Here is a string of boards showing the filming production by Chinese Television.
Guess what is this?
The above is actually a sundial used by the Chinese. It is actually 12 noon then when the photo is taken.
Here is a peak shot of the palace throne.
Walking out of the palace environs, we arrived at their filming village. It shows the numerous shops and houses which the film crew used.
This is the famous Liang Shan where all the bandits hid.
And finally we left the Water Margin castle around 1pm. There are horses everywhere where visitors can ride on for a token fee.
A poster showing one of the bandits wanted dead or alive.
