Trip Moments Recommendations
#Tongli Ancient Town Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)
In March, Suzhou is imbued with all the gentleness of the Jiangnan region
After visiting all the ancient towns in Jiangnan, the one that I find most unforgettable is Tongli.
Tongli Ancient Town in March seems to have absorbed all the gentleness of Jiangnan, where every blooming spring flower, every willow branch, and every drop of drizzle seems to hide endless tenderness, making it hard for one to leave.
🌿Tongli Ancient Town
🌿Zhongchuan South Road, Wujiang District, Suzhou📍
🌿Ticket Price💰100 (Free before 8 am and after 5 pm)
🌲One of the six famous ancient towns in Jiangnan, formerly known as 'Futu', Tongli dates back to the Song Dynasty, with a history of a thousand years.
🌲Tongli is a typical Suzhou-style garden with virtually no dead ends; every corner is a scene in itself. Every plant, flower, and stone in the garden seems to tell a story.
🌲Many bridges in the garden are well-preserved, with Taiping Bridge, Jili Bridge, and Changqing Bridge collectively known as 'Three Bridges'. Walking across the 'Three Bridges' is a local custom, symbolizing good fortune and wealth.
🌲Luoxingzhou is a small island within the lake of Tongli Ancient Town, accessible only by boat. It is said to be the prototype for the Yanziwu in Jin Yong's 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils'.
🌲Commercial traces are inevitable in ancient Jiangnan towns, but fortunately, we came in March when there were not many people. It was a bit cold, but the scenery was beautiful. The willows were just budding, and the cherry blossoms were just blooming, especially atmospheric when it was drizzling.
🌲In the ancient town, we stumbled upon an inconspicuous little shop without even a signboard. The owner is a craftsman who makes stunning bamboo clothing and has delicately drawn the 'Prosperous Suzhou' map. A year has passed, and I wonder if it's completed. If you come across this shop, remember to take a look.
🌲Before entering the scenic area, there is a pedestrian street with food and drink available. You can try the 'Zhuangyuan Hoof', 'Tu Si Cake', 'Red Bean Cake', 'Bull Nose Crisp', 'Sock Bottom Crisp', and many more.
🌲There is a cozy cafe in the garden, not big, but very warm, and great for taking photos.
🌲You can row a boat in the garden, which costs 💰120 for a boat that can carry 6 people.
Terrific Tongli Ancient Town
Location: Tongli ancient town in Jiangsu province.
Getting there: A one hour drive from Suzhou or Shanghai.
Tongli costs about 130 RMB entrance fee. It is worth the money. Spend the day walking along the narrow streets admiring the wonderful traditional architecture. Take a boat ride down the canals and feel like you're in the Venice of the east. Try the many delicious local snacks and buy some souvenirs too.
It's really picturesque here and worth the day trip.
#tongli
Suzhou downtime
Getting There - Subway line 4 and ART
Attractions - history
Hotels - Riverine
Residence Suzhou Tongli
Food & Restaurants - local
Shopping - local
if you’re looking for a relaxing get away from the hustle and bustle of the city I would recommend visiting Tongli ancient town in Suzhou. with many places to see rich in history and culture down to taking a private boat tour through the canals this is a picturesque place.#yearofrabbit #newyearadventure
yearofrabbit
newyearadventure
Exploring the quiet but vibrant Tongli,Suzhou
I went on this really amazing photography trip the other day to the quiet town called Tongli. This is located at the far south side of Suzhou. I’ve only been here a couple times but it still felt brand-new to be in this place. There’s so many things to see so many beautiful sites and interesting food and spices and souvenirs so you can get. And every once in a while you see one of the most beautiful sites of the calm and peaceful canal. I definitely recommend that you check this place out because I surely wasn’t disappointed when I went there.#bucketlistreboot #passionpassport #staycation #gooutside #urbanexplorer #naturalwonders #lakes #awesomepic
bucketlistreboot
passionpassport
ᴠᴇɴɪᴄᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴄʜɪɴᴀ🇨🇳🥰
𝙲𝚒𝚝𝚢 - Suzhou, Jiangsu Province
𝙶𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 - You can take a didi/taxi, one could probably use the subway too, I have no idea what the nearest stop is or on what line it is 🙈
𝙰𝚝𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜 - The water canals in between the old Chinese style buildings are the main highlight.
𝙷𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚜 - There are hotels next to the canals that look very modern but have yet to try them. 😝
𝙵𝚘𝚘𝚍 & 𝚁𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚞𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚜 - Lots of food, restaurants and bars to choose from.
𝚂𝚑𝚘𝚙𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚐 - Lots of little shops around, I bought a whole lot of souvenirs 🥰🥰
This was such an experience, at night they have lights all along the canals, it's so so beautiful and makes me think what it would've looked like 50 years ago. There is also a lot of greenery along the walkways and canals. Really a must see😍#passionpassport #staycation #gooutside #suzhou #suzhoutravel #summervacation #china #chinalife #chinatrips #veniceofchina
passionpassport
gooutside
Tongli 🇨🇳 Suzhou
A nice spot for a weekend away.
Tongli is a small water town with nice cafés, handmade craft stores, restaurants and food vendors. At night the town is lit by lanterns and spotlights which make it feel very cosy and welcoming.
Tongli is definitely a great spot for relaxing and taking the day slowly as it's a quaint town with temples, historic residences and cobbled lanes by the water. The food in town was generally salty and sweet and the people were very friendly.
We cycled to Tongli from Shanghai but you could take the fast train, metro or taxi to get there too.
There are lots of very affordable b&b options throughout the town, but you will still need to pay for entry to town at most.
#watertown
The Oriental Venice!💚
Tongli Water Town is one of the famous and beautiful ancient towns in China. It takes around 40 minutes by didi to get there from Gusu district in Suzhou.
The ancient town is rich in bridges, rivers, charming streets and Chinese architecture. It’s a nice place to visit!
🎟 The admission fee is 100¥
.
.
.
.
#staycation #summervacation #tripaway #triplocal #china
Getting There - we are living in JinJi lake to take almost 2hours metro to get there by line 8and line 4
Attractions - there has very beautiful and picture views in this town! you can really put yourself in this cultural town deeply!
Hotels - we were living in a hostel called Tongli defucaotang hostel!
Food & Restaurants - The traditional local food 清蒸白鱼 and 爆炒river 虾 which are steamed white fish and fried river shrimp! (plus there also has espresso coffee shop and western restaurants)
Shopping - There has many store for selling traditional Chinese suit and there’s no big shopping mall !
overall: it’s a really nice place to visit for 2-3days!
subscribe me for more travel post!#suzhou #tongli
Tongli water town from above ✈️
On this day I took quite a long trip to the ancient town of Tongli. and as usual I went there with my drone. one thing I love about Tongli is how all the buildings are very random , but at the same time uniform. the black rooftops with the white walls are also a beautiful characteristic to the ancient Chinese architecture.
Tongli is actually a town that is located in Wujiang district, on the outskirts of Suzhou, Jiangsu province. It is known for a system of canals, and it is because of this reason that Suzhou is popularly known as the Venice of the east.
There are also so many amazing stalls and shops that you can be able to buy some merchandise or food 🥘 #momentsmission #scenicspotguide #travelinspiration #suzhou #unforgettableexperiences #unforgettableexperiences
momentsmission
scenicspotguide
Visiting the ancient town of Tongli
On this day I took a trip to the distant and ancient town of Tongli. this district is located at the far south area of Suzhou. and in this place you can see so many beautiful sights.
This town is actually a really old town and one thing I appreciate about this place is that the buildings and structures still retained the old Chinese aesthetic.
You haven’t experienced the real and authentic Suzhou if you haven’t visited this places. there are many different shops, restaurants and bars where you can try out the Suzhou cuisines. and the whole area has many water canals so you can have a little boat tour of the area!
definitely a place I recommend
#scenicspotguide #travelinspiration #unforgettableexperiences #momentsmission
scenicspotguide
travelinspiration
Tongli, the oriental venice of Suzhou.
Tongli Water Town located in Suzhou, Jiangsu, China is one of the prominent water towns among others in the south regions of Yangtze River. Tongli is also known as the “Oriental Venice” , has its long history dates back to more than 1000 years. It was established in thw Song dynasty. Among many other popular sight seeing spots `Three Bridges` is prominent. Overall, nice place and good for photography.
#tongli
#watertown
#ancientcity
#suzhoutravel
Exploring the streets of Tongli Ancient Town.
#suzhou
#tongli
#travels
#china
I highly recommend Tongli whis located in Suzhou, China. It is also called the venice of China. This ancient city will take you hundred years back and the view is absolutely breath taking. I enjoyed my time being here and I will definetely come back for more. #wintergetaway
#wintergetaway
Suzhou | Guzhen Tongka Tongli
This ancient town is a national AAAAA level tourist attraction, one of the six ancient towns in the south of the Yangtze River, has long been famous. Before entering the center of the scenic spot, I saw a lot of floor tiles engraved with the names of the film and television dramas at the door. I looked at the names and remembered that the Dream of Red Mansions was also used here.
The most famous attractions here are Yiyuan (Retreat Garden), Ertang (Jiayintang, Chongbentang) Sanqiao (Taiping Bridge, Geely Bridge, Changqing Bridge). The retreat park is very beautiful. In the end, it is the residence of a large family. Many people take pictures inside. Jiayintang, the owner of this garden, Liu Bingnan, is the same as the famous patriotic poet Liu Yazi. Built in the early years of the Republic of China, there are four entrances, the doors and windows are well carved, and the crescent-shaped door is very distinctive.
Walk around and go to Chongbentang, now it has become a wedding customs hall in Jiangnan Water Village, showing the ritual process of marriage and marriage and customs items in ancient times.
After visiting one park and two churches, just stroll around the Third Bridge and see the boating. I also went to a place called "wearing the heart", which is quite suitable for taking pictures of art.
There is no free scenic spot in Tongli, the whole Tongli is a scenic spot
vacation in Suzhou and Hangzhou. By the way, I went to Suzhou Tongli. I didnt expect that there is no free big scenic road in Tongli. At the beginning of the archway, all the intersections and bridges that can enter the size are wearing a uniform like a security guard, and they are not allowed to enter. It is said that if you dont enter the scenic spot, you have to buy a big ticket of 100 yuan. The whole place is the attraction... Some people did not buy the ticket and went in, saying
The ancient houses in Tongli
"Retreat Garden"
was built in the Qing Dynasty, with the pool as the center. The buildings in the garden are like floating water, exquisite and compact. Its layout is unique, although small, but pavilions, terraces, buildings, pavilions, corridors, squares, bridges, plaques, halls, halls, houses, and Xuan are all available, and the personality of the garden owners is also integrated.
Compared with the retreat garden, it is more quiet. Jiayintang was formerly known as Liu Zhai, and the owner Liu Bingnan was a relative of the famous patriotic poet Liu Yazi.
I prefer this ancient town recommended by National Geographic over the Humble Administrator's Garden
Water Charm Jiangsu·More Beautiful with You❤️
In the past when I went to Suzhou
I always visited the Humble Administrator's Garden, Pingjiang Road, Shantang Street
But this time, I discovered an incredibly beautiful ancient town
Less commercialized
More of a simple charm of the ancient South
✅Ming and Qing Dynastic Gardens ✅World Cultural Heritage ✅Not overly commercialized
-
🚗'About Transportation'
Take Metro Line 4 to "Tongli Station", transfer to the Tongli Ancient Town Zhi Rail special line to get there, or take a taxi
-
📍Location: Tongli Ancient Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province
-
✨'My 2 Days and 1 Night Itinerary'
Day1⃣Tuisi Garden➡Chongbentang➡Gengletang➡Pearl Tower Scenic Garden➡Jiayintang➡Luoxingzhou
Day2⃣Tongli National Wetland Park➡Luoxingzhou
-
📷'About Photo Spots'
✅Tuisi Garden
The entrance to the scenic area is also a place worth checking in, listed in the "World Cultural Heritage List", with winding paths leading to secluded spots, a late Qing architectural style, ancient and elegant.
✅Pearl Tower Scenic Garden
Close to the north-facing "Fuguan Bridge Entrance", it's quite large, connecting several gardens, full of koi, you can stroll for half a day.
✅Chongbentang
This place is now an exhibition hall, displaying exhibits related to the folk wedding customs of the Jiangnan water towns, worth learning about.
✅Gengletang
Late Qing style, one of the eight scenic spots of Tongli, the garden scenery is quite unique
✅Luoxingzhou
A secluded island, not easy to find, accessible only by boat, but worth a visit.
✅Rowing Boat
A boat can seat 6 people, you can share a boat, and view the entire ancient town along the waterway, a different perspective.
✅Tongli National Wetland Park
Over 4,000 acres of wetland forest, a natural oxygen bar, with forests, bamboo groves, and lakes along the way, as if walking into a fairy tale. During festivals, there are also super fun markets and camping activities, very lively.
-
This time, I also saw many interesting activities in Tongli Ancient Town, such as opera performances in the gardens and traditional Chinese-style weddings on the water, all reflecting interesting traditional culture.
-
🏠'About Accommodation'
You can stay overnight in the ancient town to experience the charm of the Jiangnan water town, and the itinerary for the second day won't be too rushed.
-
🍛'About Food'
Before entering the scenic area, there is a whole pedestrian street, with plenty of food and drink, ✅Scholar's Pork Knuckle ✅Tuisi Cake ✅Red Bean Cake ✅Ox Nose Pastry ✅Taihu Three Whites ✅Sock Bottom Crisp
-
If you don't feel like working anymore, then come here to stay for a few days, and experience the charm of this leisurely ancient town in the South
Compared to Shantang Street, I have a deeper affection for this ancient town recommended by National Geographic
During holidays, instead of squeezing through Pingjiang Road or the crowded Humble Administrator's Garden,
it's better to visit Tongli Ancient Town.
This is what I imagine the Jiangnan area to be like.
🎫 Purchase tickets online one day in advance
Adults 80, Seniors 50, Children/Students 45 (includes seven attractions)
Free admission before 8 am and after 5 pm
⏰: Suggested visiting time 1-2 days
✅ Tuisi Garden
Listed in the 'World Cultural Heritage List'
Inside, winding paths lead to secluded spots, with a clever layout and a dynamic scenery
Experience the romantic aesthetics of our ancestors
✅ Pearl Tower
Built during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty
It's quite large, connecting several gardens
You can stroll around for half a day
✅ Three Bridges Scenic Area
Taiping Bridge, Jili Bridge, and Changqing Bridge, three ancient bridges
Represent the most characteristic waterscape of Tongli Ancient Town
Walking on the bridges, you can feel the simplicity and tranquility
✅ Jiayin Hall
The architectural structure of Jiayin Hall is exquisite, especially the wood and stone carvings
✅ Ming and Qing Street
Ming and Qing Street is a well-preserved ancient street
The buildings have hundreds of years of history, filled with cultural atmosphere
Many small shops on the street may have the souvenir you desire
✅ Gengle Hall
Displays the unique charm of Ming Dynasty architecture
One of the eight scenic spots of Tongli, with a distinctive garden view
✅ Rowing Boat
A boat can seat 6 people, you can join others or charter a boat for 120, 20 minutes
The water is clear, with green trees on both sides, very characteristic of the Jiangnan region
Following the waterway, you'll see the whole ancient town and gain a beautiful view
✅ Luoxingzhou
A secluded island, accessible only by boat, worth visiting if you have time, more stunning from aerial view
✅ Tongli National Wetland Park
Over 4000 acres of wetland forest, a natural oxygen bar, with forests, bamboo groves, and lakes along the way
It's like walking into a fairy tale
⚠️tips: There are many small alleys in the ancient town
It's recommended to wear comfortable shoes for a better touring experience
Tongli Ancient Town
Tongli Ancient Town
Here, I will briefly introduce a few of the main residences that made a deep impression on me.
✨ Jiayin Hall: Built in the early years of the Republic of China in imitation of Ming Dynasty architectural structures, it features many exquisite stone and wood carvings.
✨ Gengle Hall: A typical Ming and Qing style residence of a wealthy family in the Jiangnan water town.
✨ Three Bridges: Referring to Taiping Bridge, Jili Bridge, and Changqing Bridge, walking across the three bridges symbolizes peace, auspiciousness, and happiness in the eyes of the locals. During holidays, there are also traditional Jiangnan wedding customs performances.
✨ Chongben Hall: Located next to the Three Bridges, it is also a Jiangnan water town wedding customs exhibition hall.
✨ Songshi Wuyuan: The garden is elegant and tranquil, displaying a large number of pine screen stone paintings.
✨ Pearl Tower: The former residence of Chen Wangdao, a Ming Dynasty imperial censor, a luxurious censor's garden.
✨ Tuisi Garden: A late Qing Dynasty Jiangnan garden architectural style, with a clever layout and scattered arrangement.
✨ Lize Girls' School: Next to Tuisi Garden, a school building from the Ming and Qing periods.
.
🚩Tips
1⃣️ If you want to see the ancient town at night, it is recommended to stay overnight in the town.
2⃣️ Tongli Ancient Town is suitable for leisurely sitting in a hand-rowed boat, eating and drinking tea at a riverside restaurant, taking a walk along the riverbank, and casually visiting the old streets and ancient houses.
3⃣️ There is commercialization in Tongli, but the degree of acceptance varies from person to person. I think it does not affect the scenery here, and both my mother and I think it is very worthwhile to visit, and it is my mother's favorite place in Suzhou.
4⃣️ Even during the peak season, there are much fewer tourists in Tongli than in the Suzhou city area. If you are staying in Suzhou for 3 days, you can choose to come here for a visit.
Tongli - A quintessential water town, reminiscent of the old Jiangnan
After only being able to stay in Suzhou for three days, time is limited, yet there are so many wonderful places to visit. I have always had a special fondness for ancient towns, and ultimately chose Tongli over Zhouzhuang.
Transportation: Tongli is over 20 kilometers away from the city center, accessible by taking Metro Line 2 and then transferring to bus 275.
Attractions: The most famous is undoubtedly the Tuisi Garden. The garden is extensive, with pavilions and towers scattered in an orderly fashion, offering a serene and beautiful landscape. Other attractions such as the Pearl Tower, Three Bridges, and Chongben Hall are also quite nice.
Tickets: 100 yuan, with Ctrip offering them for 80 yuan (booking one day in advance is required). Admission is free after 5 pm.
Recommended visiting time: 1 day.
The Magnolia Flowers of Tongli Ancient Town | You're really enjoying yourself!
Wow, Tongli Ancient Town, that's really a great place worth visiting!
🌤🌤In the early morning, I walked slowly into the ancient town along the stone-paved road. On both sides of the streets of the ancient town, the old houses are scattered in an orderly manner, as if telling the vicissitudes of history. I was deeply attracted by the tranquility and harmony here, as if I was in a time tunnel, traveling back to ancient times.
🌸🌸The magnolia flowers of Tongli Ancient Town are definitely a highlight here, so incredibly beautiful
I strolled through the alleys of the ancient town, feeling the simplicity and tranquility. In the shops along the street, various antique handicrafts are displayed, making it hard to resist stopping to appreciate them. I also tasted the local cuisine, those traditional snacks were unforgettable.
🏡🏡By the river in the ancient town, I admired the antique buildings, listened to the sound of the flowing water, and felt the tranquility and beauty. I seemed to see the past of the ancient town, where hardworking people thrived and created this beautiful place.
This experience of visiting Tongli Ancient Town made me feel the profoundness of Chinese culture. Every brick and tile of the ancient town contains rich historical and cultural connotations. Here, I not only appreciated the beautiful scenery but also gained a deeper understanding of the charm of Chinese culture.
I believe that this experience of visiting Tongli Ancient Town will become an unforgettable memory in my life. I also look forward to my next trip, to explore more beautiful scenery and culture.
Address: No.1 Zhongchuan South Road, Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province
I had no intention of going to the south of the Yangtze River, yet the south of the Yangtze River has captured my heart
"I had no intention of going to the south of the Yangtze River, yet the south of the Yangtze River has captured my heart," you must visit Tongli, one of the six ancient towns in the south of the Yangtze River! Stay here for a few days, experience this picturesque dreamlike Jiangnan, and you will find that life is worthwhile!
Tongli Ancient Town, Suzhou|A small town with the cultural essence of Jiangnan water towns
|A small town with the cultural essence of Jiangnan water towns. Tongli Water Town, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, embodies the romance of small bridges over flowing water
- The ancient water town, with its long stone-paved paths
- Lush trees line both sides of the river, with red lanterns hanging high
Tongli Ancient Town in the Jiangnan water region is located in Wujiang, Suzhou
- Surrounded by lakes, the network of rivers divides the town into seven islands
- Almost every household in the ancient town is near water, with many narrow alleys and old buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties
- Usually, there are not too many tourists, giving it a quiet and serene atmosphere
- At night, lights shine along the eaves, creating a stunningly beautiful scene
Tongli Ancient Town is a worthwhile destination near Shanghai
Tongli Town, located in Wujiang District of Suzhou City, was established during the Song Dynasty and has a history of over 1000 years. It is one of the six famous ancient towns in the south of the Yangtze River, also known as the water town culture of China. Originally called 'Futu', it was renamed 'Tongli' in the early Tang Dynasty, and the old name was split into 'Tongli' during the Song Dynasty. It is 18 kilometers away from the city center of Suzhou and 80 kilometers from Shanghai. Covering an area of 33 hectares, Tongli is surrounded by five lakes and connected by 49 bridges. The network of rivers divides the town into seven islands. Every household in the ancient town is located by the water and has access to boats; the bridges from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties are well-preserved.
On the weekend, cloudy
In winter, the cloudy weather in Jiangnan is a bit cold, but it does not hinder travel. Departing from Shanghai by car at 9 am, I arrived at Tongli Ancient Town at 10:30 am. Due to the weather, there were not many people, but this seemed to make the experience of the ancient town in the winter of Jiangnan even more authentic. The ancient town is quite large, with many scenic spots and gardens. The gardens of Suzhou are each unique yet broadly similar. Every step offers a view, and every angle is different. After visiting two attractions, I had a meal in the town. I chose a restaurant at random, and it was quite good. After eating, I continued to stroll around. The marriage registration office in Tongli is quite distinctive and also serves as the local wedding customs museum!
Get amused by the beautiful gardens🌸
Do you enjoy walking? If yes, you will love going to Tongli Suzhou Old Town. This old town has a lot of gardens inside. You can pay 100 rmb, and you can enjoy and learn about the history of the town. You can check out the Tuisi Garden, Pearl Tower Garden, Jiayin Hall, Chongben Hall, and Gengle Hall. We found out that this old town is free after 5 p.m.
#walking #garden #suzhou #oldtown #china #chinatravel #chinalife #chineseculture #chinesehistory #gardenview #jiangsu #jiangsuprovince
Tongli Ancient Town Travel Guide
⛰【Attraction Strategy】
📍Detailed address: Located in Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province
🚗Transportation strategy: Suzhou city bus; about an hour and a half drive from Shanghai
💰Ticket price: Adult 💰100 yuan, it is recommended to buy online in advance for only 80 yuan.
🗓Itinerary:
1️⃣ Start from the entrance of the ancient town, stroll along the stone road, and feel the tranquility and simplicity.
2️⃣ Must-visit spot: The ancient stage, with wonderful opera performances on weekends or holidays, allowing you to appreciate the charm of traditional Chinese culture.
3️⃣ Then visit the Tuisi Garden, a typical Jiangnan garden with rockeries, ponds, pavilions, and towers, each step presenting a beautiful scene.
4️⃣ In the afternoon, you can visit attractions such as Luo Xingzhou and the Pearl Tower, each with its unique charm.
🍜Food recommendation: Do not miss the local farmhouse dishes in the ancient town.
🐟 Steamed whitefish: Fresh and tender, definitely not to be missed!
🥚 Silverfish scrambled eggs: The silverfish is delicious, and when fried with eggs, it offers a rich taste.
🦐 Saltwater white shrimp: The shrimp meat is fresh and tender, cooked in saltwater, retaining the original flavor of the shrimp.
💖Tongli Ancient Town is a place full of historical and cultural heritage, whether it is to appreciate ancient architecture, taste delicious food, or experience the charm of a water town, it can provide an unforgettable journey.💖
Tongli Ancient Town
Tongli Ancient Town, Suzhou | The ultimate secret of the south of the Yangtze River is incredibly fascinating
| The ultimate secret of the south of the Yangtze River is incredibly fascinating. A bay of clear water surrounds the town with lush greenery, embodying the gentle charm of the south of the Yangtze River, all within the small bridges and flowing waters of the residential areas, meandering through the tranquil alleys and courtyards, with white walls and black tiles, willows hanging low, as if all rhythms of life have slowed down.
Tongli is one of the six famous ancient towns in the south of the Yangtze River and is considered a top destination among them, with a large area that perfectly integrates the original residents with commerce, bustling in some parts and serene in others.
🔸Attraction Recommendations🔸
✨Jiayin Hall: Built in the early Republic of China, imitating the architectural structure of the Ming dynasty, it features many exquisite stone and wood carvings
✨Gengle Hall: A typical residence of a wealthy family in the south of the Yangtze River with Ming and Qing dynasty styles
✨Three Bridges: Referring to Taiping Bridge, Jili Bridge, and Changqing Bridge, which symbolize peace, auspiciousness, and happiness in the eyes of the locals. During holidays, one can also witness traditional wedding customs of the south of the Yangtze River
✨Chongben Hall: Located next to the Three Bridges, it is also a museum of wedding customs in the water towns of the south of the Yangtze River
✨Songshi Wuyuan: A garden with elegant and serene landscapes, displaying a large number of pine screen stone paintings
✨Pearl Tower: The former residence of the Ming dynasty's imperial censor Chen Wangdao, a luxurious censor's garden
✨Tuisi Garden: A garden with the architectural style of the late Qing dynasty, ingeniously laid out
✨Lize Girls' School: Next to Tuisi Garden, a schoolhouse from the Ming and Qing dynasties
🔸Food Recommendations🔸
1⃣Nanyuan Tea House: A very famous tea house, serving breakfast in the morning (8:30——11:30) and in the afternoon you can enjoy tea while listening to Suzhou Pingtan! (14:00——16:00) Suzhou Pingtan is really amazing
2⃣Linjiapuzi Fresh Meat Mooncake: Suzhou-style mooncake crust + fresh meat filling = absolutely beautiful, and of course, Suzhou-style salt and pepper is also very delicious. 5 yuan/4 yuan
3⃣Enze Hall Private Kitchen: This place has a lot of good reviews, reservations are needed in advance, classic Suzhou-style private dishes, highly recommended without stepping on any landmines.
【Tickets and Transportation】
🎫Ticket: 80 yuan/person, free entry after 7 pm or if staying within the scenic area
🚘Transportation: Take the subway line 4 to Tongli Station, then transfer to a bus or take a taxi (3km) to reach the south gate of Tongli Ancient Town
📍Location: Tongli Ancient Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province
A Day Trip to Tongli Ancient Town
Tongli Ancient Town is located on the banks of Taihu Lake to the east of the ancient canal, and was established during the Song Dynasty, boasting a history of over a thousand years, truly living up to its reputation as an ancient water town.
It is eighteen kilometers away from Suzhou City and eighty kilometers from Shanghai, one of the six famous water towns in the south of the Yangtze River, covering an area of thirty-three hectares, surrounded by five lakes, with a network of rivers dividing the town area into seven islands. Forty-nine ancient bridges connect them into one, known for its 'small bridges, flowing water, and households'.
Tongli's history can be traced back to the 'Songze Culture' and 'Liangzhu Culture' from five to six thousand years ago. As early as the Neolithic Age, there were ancestors here practicing slash-and-burn agriculture, living and multiplying. The superior natural conditions made this place the richest in the Wu region, hence it was originally named 'Futu'.
The lakes and wetlands of the south of the Yangtze River bring life to this land; the ancient and lush Ming and Qing architecture bear witness to the flowing years here. The tranquil and leisurely people of Tongli still guard the peaceful times here as they did in the past.
Tongli, in the name of nature, preserves a thousand-year-old story for you. Step into it to experience the black-awning boats described by Lu Xun, as well as endless poems and the gentle Wu dialect.
A breath of elegant ancient charm hits you in the face, with the tenderness of the south of the Yangtze River, the exquisite beauty of the water town, and the elegance of the ancient style.
It is said that 'one garden, two halls, three bridges' are the famous sights of Tongli, and the real essence of Tongli lies in the 'one garden' of Tuisi Garden. Tuisi Garden was built by Ren Lansheng after he was impeached and dismissed during the Qing Dynasty's Guangxu period. The designer, Yuan Long, was a painter proficient in poetry, calligraphy, and painting. Unlike famous gardens such as the Humble Administrator's Garden, Tuisi Garden is small and exquisite, with all the architectural elements of a southern garden, and it adopts a horizontal layout to suit the local conditions.
In the evening, you can go to see a 'Watercolor Tongli' scene performance. The main story is about the love story of the ancient town, where a pair of childhood sweethearts go through trials and tribulations and finally become a couple, which perfectly concludes the 'fate' of the ancient town. The 'fate' of the ancient towns in the south of the Yangtze River is about writing a piece of beauty, once encountered, one is drawn into it.
Lake Wonderland
In the northeast corner of Tongli Ancient Town in Suzhou, there floats a mysterious and ancient island on Tongli Lake, known as Luoxingzhou, rarely visited by tourists. This island, with an area of only about 150 acres, is a garden architecture that integrates temples, pavilions, and towers, becoming a wonderland in the middle of the lake. Luoxingzhou is only a few minutes' journey from the shore, but you must take a tourist boat at the dock to enter, with the ticket included. Boats depart every half hour, standing apart from the bustle of Tongli Ancient Town, quiet in deep waters, serene amidst the layered forests, it's a place that makes visitors linger and forget to return.
In the world of mortals, Tongli Ancient Town!!
Food from all directions, nothing more than a bowl of worldly fireworks!
Suzhou Ancient Town Recommendation: Tongli Ancient Town
Free admission after 4:30 in the afternoon!
Compared with Zhouzhuang, Tongli has a bit more worldly fireworks. You can see many old residents, walk in, and it is full of life everywhere, while Zhouzhuang has a stronger commercial atmosphere and more people! You can take some humanistic details during the day, and only see the night view at night.
You must take a boat tour, the scenery is very beautiful!
Popular Topics
# awesomepic
# tripblazers
# urbanexplorer
# mytripvlog
# summervacation
Recommended Attractions at Popular Destinations