An epic bus tour which departed from Hamburg in Germany on May 11, carrying 35 cultural envoys, arrived in Wuxi on July 2 after nearly two months on the road.

The "New Silk Road Bus Tour" has crossed the entire Euro-Asian continent. It carries notable authorities on international relations, such as Dr. Theo Sommer and Frank Sieren. The bus travelled through Poland, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, on its way to China.

The envoys wandered through Huishan ancient town upon arriving in Wuxi, tasting local specialties, sipping tea and visiting Jichang Garden, which was constructed during the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368-1644). Emperor Qianlong liked the garden grounds so much that he built exact replicas at the Summer Palace in Beijing.

The guests also visited the Turtle Head Isle by boat on July 3, with the delegation praising the delicate local architecture.

This year the Wuxi Tourism Bureau showcased the city's highlights at the Berlin International Tourism Fair, which piqued German interest in the area.

A deal was inked between Wuxi and German authorities, so that Wuxi would become a stop during this year's "New Silk Road Bus Tour".

Nearly half of the 13,000-kilometer-long trip took place inside China, covering more than 20 cities, such as Kashi, Hotan, Turpan, Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, Lanzhou, Tianshui, Xi'an, Luoyang, Nanjing and Wuxi.