[2025 Suzhou Attraction] Travel Guide for Duanben Garden (Updated Jul)

🌿 Lili Ancient Town Travel Guide — A low-key hidden water town in Jiangnan ✨✨✨【Lili at a Glance】 📍📍📍Location: Wujiang District, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, 1.5 hours from Shanghai, 40 minutes from Suzhou by car 🎫🎫🎫Tickets: Free (some attractions charge, combined ticket ¥60) ✨✨✨Features: Few crowds, peaceful, original ecology, distinctive covered corridors ⏰⏰⏰Recommended duration: 1 day (ideal for slow travel and photography) 🚗【Transportation Guide】 🚗🚗🚗Self-driving ✨✨✨From Shanghai/Suzhou: Navigate to "Lili Ancient Town," parking fee ¥10/day 🚌🚌🚌Public transport 🍀🍀🍀From Suzhou: Metro Line 4 → Tongli Station → transfer to Wujiang Lili special bus line 🍀🍀🍀From Shanghai: High-speed train to Suzhou Station → transfer by bus/taxi (about ¥100) 🏮【Top 5 Must-See Attractions】 1⃣️Liu Yazi Memorial Hall Former residence of a modern poet, experience the spirit of Republican-era literati 2⃣️Photo Studio under the Covered Corridors A kilometer-long riverside corridor street, very atmospheric for rainy day strolls 3⃣️Duanben Garden A small and exquisite Suzhou garden, less crowded and perfect for photos 4⃣️China Tinware Museum Free! Showcasing traditional Jiangnan tinware craftsmanship 5⃣️Lili Ancient Bridges More than ten Ming and Qing dynasty bridges including Qinglong Bridge and Tiyun Bridge 🍜🍜🍜【Must-Try Foods】 🍀🍀🍀You Dun Zi (Lili specialty, crispy outside and tender inside) 🍀🍀🍀Spicy Chicken Feet (sweet and spicy flavor, recommended at "Old Street You Dun Zi" shop) 🍀🍀🍀Sausage (traditional craftsmanship, rich but not greasy) 🍀🍀🍀Malt Pancake (spring seasonal, chewy texture) 🏠🏠🏠【Accommodation Recommendations】 🍀🍀🍀Shui'an Hanshe (¥400+, boutique homestay renovated from an old house) 🍀🍀🍀Lili Yue Jiangnan Hotel (¥300+, riverside view rooms) 🍀🍀🍀Day trips: You can stay in Tongli or Suzhou, 30 minutes by car 📸【Photography Tips】 ⏰⏰⏰Best times: Early morning 7-8 AM / late afternoon 4-6 PM 🍀🍀🍀Photo spots: 🎈🎈🎈Reflections in the covered corridors (even more beautiful after rain) 🎈🎈🎈Ancient bridges and black-awning boats 🎈🎈🎈Weathered white walls and dark tiles ⚠️【Practical Tips】 ✨✨✨Compared to Zhouzhuang/Tongli, this place is less commercialized, better for visitors who prefer tranquility ✨✨✨The ancient town is small and can be explored in 2-3 hours; it’s recommended to combine with nearby attractions (such as Luxu Ancient Town) ✨✨✨Traditional opera performances occasionally on weekends, check the scenic area announcements 🎈🎈🎈 Summary: Lili is like a Jiangnan secret forgotten by time, without crowds of tourists, only authentic water town life. Come here and be a true "ancient town resident" for a day!

#favouriteitinerary Duanben Garden, originally built in the early years of the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, was the private residence of Assistant Magistrate Chen Heming. Following its reconstruction, the garden now showcases the exquisite layout and intricate design typical of Jiangnan gardens. It offers visitors a glimpse into the elegant and serene landscaping traditions of the region. Personal Opinion: In my opinion, Duanben Garden is a captivating destination for those interested in traditional Chinese garden design and cultural heritage. Its meticulous layout and historical significance make it a must-visit for anyone exploring the area.

Suzhou's 91st Garden: Duanben Garden Duanben Garden was first built by Chen Tongpan during the Qianlong period of the Qing dynasty and rebuilt during the Tongzhi period. Chen's second son married a woman from the Qing imperial family, breaking the law prohibiting intermarriage between Manchu and Han people, and Duanben Garden was also known as the County Horse Mansion. The garden is home to one osmanthus tree and one silver osmanthus tree, and currently has one double osmanthus building, one hexagonal pavilion, and some rockeries and corridors.

The design of Duanmu Garden is ingenious and the layout is exquisite. Although the area has been reduced due to historical reasons, it still retains buildings such as pavilions, pavilions, towers, and verandas, as well as the famous Shuanggui Building, named after two osmanthus trees planted in the garden. Duanmu Garden is not only a garden, but also a place full of historical stories. Although Duanmu Garden is not large, about 900 square meters, it shows the charm of Jiangnan Garden with its exquisite layout and rich landscape. Shuanggui Building is an antique small building, named after the owner planted a golden osmanthus and a silver osmanthus on both sides of the building. In autumn, the fragrance of flowers fills the whole garden, and the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival becomes a good place to enjoy the moon. The hexagonal pavilion, as one of the only remaining buildings in the garden, embodies the architectural aesthetics of classical gardens. In addition, the rockery and cloister in the garden also add historical charm and ornamental value to the garden. These places not only show the classical aesthetics of Duanmu Garden, but also are classic landscapes that tourists must not miss when visiting. Duanmu Garden, as one of the important attractions of Lili Ancient Town, not only shows the charm of ancient gardens, but also becomes a window to understand local history and culture.