Tongli Ancient Town - A Beautiful Paradise on Earth

👍 Why Visit - As one of the six famous ancient water towns in the Jiangnan region, Tongli Ancient Town has a rich history and cultural heritage. It features numerous Ming and Qing dynasty architecture and gardens, such as Tuisi Garden and Pearl Pagoda Scenic Garden, all embodying the charm of Jiangnan water towns. - With its white walls, black tiles, and flowing streams, the town offers unique folk customs like the "Three Bridges" tradition. You can also enjoy traditional opera performances and experience the authentic Jiangnan atmosphere. Detailed Address No. 1 Zhongchuan South Road, Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province. Admission Fees - Combined ticket: CNY 100. Online purchase one day in advance: CNY 80. Some platforms offer CNY 90 tickets that include afternoon tea at Nanyuan Tea House and Pingtan performance. - No entrance fee required before 8am and after 5pm, but paid attractions are closed. Night tour of Tuisi Garden: CNY 50, closes at 21:00. - Discounts: Free admission for children under 6 years old (inclusive) or under 1.4m (inclusive), active military personnel with valid ID. Half-price tickets for children between 1.4m-1.5m, visitors aged 6-18, full-time undergraduate students and below, seniors aged 60-69 with relevant documents. 📅 Travel Guide - Morning: Enter through the town gate and stroll across Zhongchuan Bridge to experience the charm of ancient bridges and waterways. Then visit Tuisi Garden to admire the exquisite layout of Jiangnan gardens. - Noon: Enjoy local cuisine at restaurants like Jiutanzi Fantong or Datong Military Dependents' Village Beef Noodles. - Afternoon: Visit Lize Girls' School to see Republican-era architecture, then explore Pearl Pagoda Scenic Garden, Jiayin Hall, and Chongben Hall to learn about local history. Cross the Three Bridges to experience this traditional custom for good luck. - Evening: Take a boat to Luoxing Island to view the vast Tongli Lake and visit this sacred place where Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism converge. - Night: Take a hand-pulled boat through the town's waterways to admire illuminated ancient buildings, or enjoy tea and Pingtan performances at a riverside teahouse. 🍜 Food Guide - Signature dishes: Salt and pepper pomfret with crispy skin and tender meat; Fish soup with hand-pulled noodles featuring whole fish and chewy noodles; Stir-fried water chestnuts and water caltrop, a nutritious vegetable dish. - Traditional snacks: Wadi Su (sock-bottom pastry), crispy and delicious; Water chestnut cake, soft and sweet; Qing Tuan (green rice balls) with fresh mugwort fragrance; Min Bing (Min cake), sweet but not greasy; Malt flatbread, more flavorful with each bite. - Restaurant recommendations: Besides the previously mentioned Jiutanzi Fantong, Datong Military Dependents' Village Beef Noodles, and Chanyu Jiangnan Elegant Suzhou Noodles, try Grandma Li's Fresh Beef Rice Noodles featuring rich bone broth and chewy noodles. 🏨 Accommodation Guide - Tongli Lake Resort (Phase 2): Located by Tongli Lake, beautiful environment, 15-minute walk to scenic area, perfect for vacation. - Tongli Xishuitang Ancient Inn: Located within the scenic area, offering authentic water town atmosphere, peaceful at night. - Tongli Water Cloud Courtyard Design Inn: Unique design with artistic ambiance, experience the tranquil beauty of water towns. - Tongli Wanshun Residence Inn: Also within the scenic area, affordable with good value for money. 💗 Additional Tips - Consider bringing hanfu or qipao for photos, as the town's architecture and scenery are very photogenic. - Bring a notebook for collecting stamps from various locations including North Visitor Center, Tourist Center, and Tuisi Garden. - Some waterways don't have railings, so be careful, especially with children.