Been There Ornament – Wuxi
Been There Ornament – Wuxi accompanies the bigger mug that we’ve reviewed today, see this post. Like all Been There ornaments from China, it comes as a set of two, paired with the country ornament. It’s a bit inconvenient if you’re trying to collect all the cities, but that’s just how it is.
The ornament showcases most of the landmarks featured in the full-size mug design, but I’d like to mention these three additional symbols:
– The A Fu clay figurines, depicting a boy and a girl, are a popular form of Huishan clay figurines from Wuxi, symbolizing good fortune and happiness. Often portrayed with joyful expressions, the pair represents harmony and prosperity, with the boy typically holding a peach, a symbol of longevity, and the girl often holding a flower or other auspicious item. These figurines are cherished as both decorative art and as talismans for bringing blessings and positive energy to the home.
– Wuxi has some unique tea traditions, primarily centered around the region’s tea production and cultural practices. Wuxi is famous for producing Taihu tea, a variety of green tea grown around Lake Taihu. One notable tradition is the tea ceremony, where the preparation and serving of tea are treated as an art form, emphasizing the appreciation of aroma, taste, and the beauty of the tea leaves unfurling in the water.
– A notable variety of peach local to Wuxi is the Taihu peach, which is famous for its sweetness and fragrant aroma. Grown around the fertile areas near Lake Taihu, these peaches are known for their juicy, tender flesh and smooth, thin skin.
