Tongli 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

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

"Retreat Garden" is a must-see for visiting the ancient town of Tongli! Retreat to the Garden, built in the 11th to 13th year of the Guangxu reign of Qing Dynasty, is a red glimpse from the south of the corridor. In the retreat garden, the most popular is the most exciting. Retreat Garden gathers the length of the Qing Dynasty gardens, small and exquisite, light and elegant, pavilions and fun, and is a classic of Jiangnan classical gardens.

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.

Tuisi Garden

Tuisi Garden, located at No. 234 Xintian Street, Tongli Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China, was built between the eleventh and thirteenth years of the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty (1885—1887). The garden was constructed by Ren Lansheng, a Qing Dynasty official, after he was dismissed from office and returned to his hometown. The name of the garden is derived from the phrase 'When serving his lord, Lin Fu thought of loyalty; when retiring, he thought of mending his faults' from the 'Zuo Zhuan'. The Tuisi Garden covers an area of 5,674 square meters, with a building area of 2,622 square meters. It has a horizontal layout, with the residence, courtyard, and garden arranged from west to east. The residence consists of an entrance hall, tea hall, main hall, and two small buildings where the family lived. The central courtyard serves as a natural transition between the residence and the garden, mainly used for receiving guests. The courtyard is enclosed by corridors, with the Welcoming Guests Pavilion and Suihan Residence to the south, where the host meets and entertains guests, and the Sitting in Spring and Gazing at the Moon Building to the north, for guest accommodation. The courtyard features a dry boat and small scenes of flowers and trees, with a moon gate to the east leading to the garden. Tuisi Garden is a model of small-scale gardens, providing a natural museum for modern people within a limited area and space. In June 2001, Tuisi Garden was announced by the State Council as the fifth batch of national key cultural relics protection units. Tuisi Garden

Retreat & Reflection Garden: A World Cultural Heritage in the Gardens of Southern China

The Retreat & Reflection Garden holds an extremely special place among Chinese gardens. It is the only World Cultural Heritage site in the ancient towns of southern China, elevating the subtle and exquisite aesthetic spirit of Chinese gardens to a remarkable height, and is of great ornamental value. Located in the ancient town of Tongli within Suzhou, Tongli itself epitomizes the southern Chinese landscape of small bridges over flowing water. Nestled within, the Retreat & Reflection Garden harmoniously integrates into its surroundings. The entire garden is designed around water, comprehensively including four parts: the hall, the inner house, the courtyard, and the garden. With layered houses and arched bridges over the water surface, and pavilions and towers arranged just right, every corner exudes refined elegance and charm, creating a deep and winding spatial atmosphere, forming an aesthetic maze filled with ancient Chinese charm. Every plant and tree, every pavilion and stone, is meticulously designed. Techniques such as borrowed scenery are used to hide the natural landscape within the small garden, imbuing it with poetic and picturesque beauty. Transportation from Suzhou to this location is extremely convenient, with direct subway access.

Shiyu Ancient Square

The Pearl Tower Garden in Tongli Ancient Town, Suzhou, also known as Shiyu Ancient Square, was the former residence of Chen Wangdao, who served as the Imperial Inspector in Nanjing during the Jiajing and Wanli periods of the Ming Dynasty. Visitors might mistakenly think that this is a scenic spot centered around an ancient tower, but in fact, there is no tower; it is a private garden. What we see now as the Pearl Tower Garden has been restored and rebuilt on the basis of the original historical relics. It consists of several parts including the Imperial Inspector's Residence, the Chen Family Archway, the Magnolia Hall, and the Back Garden. The charm lies in not only preserving the existing cultural relics and the historical connotations but also restoring the names of the scenic spots mentioned in the story of the 'Pearl Tower'. Although the Pearl Tower Garden may seem 'low-key' among the ancient town's attractions, its profound historical heritage and exquisite garden landscape are not to be overlooked. For tourists who like to explore history and cultural charm, this place is undoubtedly a treasure worth in-depth exploration.

The beautiful ancient town of Suzhou with few people

Three of the six ancient towns in Jiangnan are located in Zhejiang, and the other three are in Suzhou, namely Tongli Ancient Town, Zhouzhuang Ancient Town, and Luzhi Ancient Town. Among them, Tongli Ancient Town is located in Wujiang District and forms an independent plate. There are many scenic spots worth visiting inside. 👍Most recommended: 1. Tuisi Garden Tuisi Garden is one of the nine representative gardens of Suzhou World Heritage. It is on par with Humble Administrator's Garden, Lion Grove Garden, and Master of the Nets Garden. Because of the addition of Tuisi Garden, Tongli Ancient Town has become more valuable and is worth a visit. 2. Pearl Tower This is also an old house with garden architecture as the main body. The interior area is large, and a large number of red goldfish are raised in the large pond, which is very eye-catching when swimming in the water. 3. Other celebrity residences Including the residences of modern popular novelist Fan Yanqiao, garden master Ji Cheng, etc., are located here, it's worth a look. 📝Note tips: About tickets, you can buy them at the entrance. The ticket is 100 yuan, and other platforms may offer a 20% discount. In addition, you can use the Suzhou Leisure Card to enter various scenic spots, including Tuisi Garden. After buying the ticket at the entrance, you can enter various paid places in the scenic area. 🚉Transportation strategy: In terms of transportation, it is not particularly convenient. The nearest subway station is about three kilometers away, and it takes about an hour to come from the city.

This Jiangnan water town that made it to National Geographic is truly beautiful

Suzhou·Tongli 📝Tourist Keywords: Two Gardens, Two Halls, Three Bridges Two Gardens: ✅Retreat & Reflection Garden: The only Jiangnan garden by the water listed as a World Cultural Heritage site, also known as the 'Garden by the Water' ✅Pearl Tower Scenic Garden: A forgotten exquisite garden with very few tourists, where the love story of 'Pearl Tower' took place Two Halls: ✅Chongben Hall, Jiayin Hall: Experience Suzhou-style residences and wedding customs Three Bridges: ✅Jili Bridge, Taiping Bridge and Changqing Bridge. Taiping Bridge and Changqing Bridge are beam bridges, while Jili Bridge is an arch bridge. There are bridge couplets on both sides of the bridge; Changqing Bridge is commonly known as Xie Family Bridge, formerly known as Fujian Bridge. Tongli has the custom of 'walking the bridge'. The purpose is to avoid disasters and seek blessings. Every time there is a wedding celebration or an elderly person's 66th birthday, the people of Tongli will 'walk the three bridges' to seek good luck and fortune.

The Pearl Tower sounds like a very ordinary sight. It is actually not a tower but a private garden with the characteristics of a royal family. This is Chen Yushis home and leisure place. The Pearl Tower is a core area for Tongli Ancient Town. In addition to the private garden architecture, it can also see the scenery like Suzhou Garden and Lion Forest. After entering the gate, it is a neatly arranged old house. From the perspective of pattern, feng shui and decoration, it is based on the traditional Feng Shui theory and architecture of the motherland. It can be said that the building in the Pearl Tower is Tongli Ancient Town. Very historical and cultural features. The building here was built in the Ming Dynasty. It flourished during the Qing Emperor Qianlong period. Because of the suspense of the Qianlong Emperor and the Han nationality, it has always been considered that the Emperor Qianlong helped the construction of the Emperor Qianlong. Therefore, as early as 1990, the famous film and television drama was also part of the historical film "The Ballads of Qianlong". The scene in the scene of "Jiangnan Baju" was taken in the Pearl Tower. So, why is it called Pearl Tower, the reason is not without. There is a historical plot: According to legend, the number room of the Nandu Gongyuan is covered with a reed, the value of the wind and the rain, the soil is unbearable, he played the easy to the tile, so deeply loved by the scholars. It is said that after his wife died with his wife, he continued his wife. The folklore "Pearl Tower" is the story of Chen Wangdao's marriage to a woman. That's how the name of the Pearl Tower came. When it comes to the back garden, the entire back garden is very large, which is equivalent to two retreats. There are rockeries, ponds, observation decks, study houses, walks along the water and dance performances. All the facilities and construction inside are really perfect, and it is amazing now. So, come here to see the scenery here, the harvest is definitely great. About the Raiders of the Pearl Tower: 1, about the ticket: already included in the ticket of Tongli Ancient Town, no need to buy another ticket. 2, ticket discount policy: Regarding the ticket preferential policy, you can refer to the preferential policies for the big tickets in the Tongli Ancient Town Scenic Area, which will not be repeated here. 3, scenic opening hours: from morning 7

Tongli Wetland Park: A secluded summer green wonderland with free admission

No matter how many places you have visited, the experience is always different. Only Tongli Wetland Park leaves a deep impression, with memories that remain fresh. 👉 Admission is free This is indeed a conscientious offer, not only is the main entrance free, but the science museum inside is also free of charge. The wetland park is vast, and there's no need to worry about the heat during the summer vacation. The tall metasequoia and bamboo forests provide ample shade, making it possible to stroll and pause throughout the whole day. 👉 Free parking at will Tongli Wetland Park has two parking lots, one at the main entrance and one at the north gate. The main entrance lot is larger, while the north gate lot is smaller. There are more parking spots at the main entrance, and the north gate is less crowded, with no parking fees. There are two recommended ways to enjoy the park. We went before noon and headed to the north gate, where we started with a meal at the Youth Canteen before exploring. Another option is to park at the main entrance and follow the regular route. If the parking lot is full, roadside parking is also an option, and currently, no one is issuing tickets. 👉 Embrace the freedom of the forest It's not easy to find a vast forest like the one in Tongli Wetland Park in Greater Suzhou. The large metasequoia and bamboo forests, reflecting off the rivers, are the origin of the beautiful legends about Tongli Wetland Park found online. 👉 Dreamlike boat rides Summer can be hot, so take your time strolling around. In the middle of the wetland park, you can take a boat ride for 30 yuan per person, delving into the metasequoia and bamboo forests. It's a dreamlike experience reminiscent of a green fairyland, truly pleasant, lasting about ten minutes, and suitable for relaxation, becoming one with the forest. 👉 Youth Canteen: Reflecting on the past We parked at the north gate and headed straight for the Youth Canteen. However, remember not to go too late, or the choices will be limited to noodles only. The taste is indeed good, and the prices are acceptable within the scenic area. A set meal costs 30 yuan, including vegetables, rice, shrimp, side dishes, and corn rib soup. There are also noodles and small wontons available. But a reminder again, go early as they serve in limited quantities. 👉 Learning at the Science Museum The air conditioning here is powerful, making it a great stop during the summer vacation. The space and environment are very nice, introducing the characteristics of the wetland and various wildlife, definitely a full learning experience for children. PS: There are also other areas such as the Lotus Pond Ecological Zone, the Herb Garden, Bird Watching, and the Aquatic Plant Garden. Tongli Wetland Park: Xiaodian Lake Village, Tongli Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou Crowd: We went during a summer weekend, and it didn't feel crowded inside, which was incredibly comfortable

Tongli Wetland Park is stunning

I visited several places during the summer vacation. Some were crowded, some were very hot, and some had a poor experience, but Tongli Wetland Park left a deep impression, with memories still fresh. 👉 Admission is free This is indeed a generous offer, not just the main entrance fee, but also the science museum inside is free of charge. The wetland park is vast, and there's no need to worry about the heat during the summer vacation. The tall metasequoia and bamboo forests provide ample shade, making it possible to stroll and stop all day long. 👉 Free parking at will Tongli Wetland Park has two parking lots, one at the main entrance and one at the north gate. The main entrance is larger, the north gate smaller. There are more parking spaces at the main entrance, and the north gate is less crowded, with no fees. There are two recommended ways to visit: we went before noon and headed to the north gate, where we started with a meal at the Youth Canteen, then began our tour. Another option is to park at the main entrance and follow the regular route. If the parking lot is full, it's also fine to park along the road, and currently, no one issues parking tickets. 👉 Embrace the freedom of the forest It's not easy to find a large forest like Tongli Wetland Park in greater Suzhou. The vast metasequoia and bamboo forests, reflecting off the rivers, are the source of the beautiful legends about Tongli Wetland Park online. 👉 Dreamlike boat rides Summer can be hot, so take your time strolling around. In the middle of the wetland park, you can take a boat ride for 30 yuan per person, delving into the metasequoia and bamboo forests. It's like a dreamy journey through a fairyland, truly nice, and the whole trip lasts about ten minutes, perfect for relaxing and merging with the forest. 👉 Youth Canteen: Reminiscing the Bitter and Sweet We parked at the north gate and headed straight for the Youth Canteen. Remember not to go too late, or there won't be many choices left, just noodles. When we arrived, there was only one 'Reminiscing the Bitter and Sweet' set meal left, but luckily we got to eat it, haha. The taste is indeed good, and the price is acceptable in the scenic area. A set meal costs 30 yuan, including vegetables, rice, shrimp, side dishes, and corn rib soup. There are also noodles and small wontons available. However, a reminder again: go early, as they serve in limited quantities. 👉 Learning at the Science Museum The air conditioning here is powerful, making it a great stop during the summer vacation. The space and environment are very nice, introducing the characteristics of wetlands and various wildlife, definitely a full learning experience for children. PS: There are also other areas such as the Lotus Pond Ecological Zone, Herb Garden, Bird Watching, and Aquatic Plant Garden. Tongli Wetland Park: Xiaodian Lake Village, Tongli Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou Crowd: We went during a summer weekend, and it didn't feel crowded inside at all, truly super comfortable.

Just 1 hour's drive from Shanghai, this green haven can't stay hidden anymore

There's a 'treasure park' near Shanghai that I've 'privately' cherished for a long time I visited it shortly after it opened a few years ago I particularly love the lush natural landscape inside Back then, there were few visitors, and you still needed a 🎫ticket to enter Coming back here I discovered it's now free to enter❗️ 🍃Located in Wujiang District, the Tongli National Wetland Park, formerly known as 'Xiaodian Lake Forest Park', is part of the downstream Yangcheng-Dianpu water system in the Taihu Lake basin, featuring conservation areas, restoration areas, and sustainable use areas. Compared to other parks' 💐floral landscapes, this place's 'green' is naturally pure, like walking into a large natural oxygen bar 🚗The park is about a 20-minute drive from Tongli Ancient Town, and just 1 hour by car from Shanghai. Returning after a few years, it's noticeably better maintained, and the 🚂sightseeing train from my memory is still there, plus new additions like ⛵️sightseeing boats and 🛵self-drive electric car tours 💚The entrance has a south gate and a north gate, both with free 🅿️parking lots. It's recommended to start your visit from the north gate, as it's closer to the photogenic spots⬇️ 🌳Cedar Walkway Strolling under the water cedars and bamboo, the verdant scenery is quite healing. Along the way, you'll pass several wooden bridges and waterfront platforms, where you can see the sightseeing boats shuttle by ⛵️Ginkgo Pier Where you take the sightseeing boat, 30/person, boats depart every hour and half-hour, with extra trips on weekends if there's a queue. The tour lasts 15 minutes, and it's recommended to sit in the open-air seats at the stern for easier photography 💐Herbaceous Plant Garden The most 'colorful' part of the park, with seasonal flower fields. Recently, it's the blooming season for 💜wisteria and 💛yellow wood fragrance, with a delightful aroma, and there's also a flower field café ☕️Jungle Café A small wooden hut hidden in the jungle, with a dreamy and fairy-tale entrance, complete with photo props like swing chairs 🪷Aquatic Plant Garden Although it's not yet the summer lotus bloom, the wooden bridges and viewing platforms here are great for portrait photography 📷Besides photography, the park also has a science museum, bird-watching house, water sports center, and other learning and exchange areas 🥢There are restaurants like the Educated Youth Restaurant, Fuqu Restaurant, Jungle and Garden Café inside the park 🏨There are several guesthouses on the north side of the park, staying for a night over the weekend is also a nice idea

Spring Outing | 1h Drive from Shanghai, This Green Wonderland Can't Be Hidden Anymore

There is a treasure park around Shanghai that I have "privately treasured" for a long time I visited it shortly after it opened a few years ago I especially like the lush natural landscape inside At that time, there were few tourists, and you still needed a 🎫ticket to enter Coming here again I found out that it's actually free to enter now❗️ 🍃Located in Wujiang District, Tongli National Wetland Park, formerly known as "Xiaodian Lake Forest Park", is part of the downstream Yangcheng Lake-Dianpu water system in the Taihu Lake basin, with conservation areas, restoration and reconstruction areas, and rational use areas. Compared to other parks' 💐flower sea landscapes, this place's "green" nature is pure and simple, like walking into a large natural oxygen bar 🚗The park is about a 20-minute drive from Tongli Ancient Town, and only 1 hour by car from Shanghai. Coming back after a few years, you can clearly feel that it is getting better managed, the 🚂sightseeing train that I remember is still there, and there are new additions like ⛵️sightseeing boats and 🛵self-driving electric car tours 💚The entrance has a south gate and a north gate, both with free 🅿️parking lots. It is recommended to start the tour from the north gate, as it is relatively closer to the photogenic spots⬇️ 🌳Cedar Walkway Strolling under the water cedar and bamboo forests, the verdant landscape is very healing. Along the way, you will pass several wooden bridges and waterfront platforms, where you can see the sightseeing boats shuttle by ⛵️Ginkgo Pier The place to take the sightseeing boat, 30/person, boats leave every hour and half hour, and extra boats will be added on weekends if there is a long queue. The tour lasts 15 minutes, and it is recommended to sit in the open-air seats at the stern of the boat for easier photography 💐Herb Garden The most "colorful" place in the entire park, with seasonal flower seas, recently 💜wisteria and 💛yellow osmanthus are in full bloom, with a pleasant fragrance, and there is also a flower field coffee shop ☕️Jungle Cafe Hidden in the jungle is a small wooden house, with a dreamy and fairy-tale entrance, and photo props like swing chairs 🪷Aquatic Plant Garden Although it is not yet the summer lotus bloom, the wooden bridges and viewing platforms here are very suitable for portrait photography 📷In addition to photography, the park also has a science museum, bird-watching house, water sports center, and other learning and exchange areas 🥢Inside the park, there are the Educated Youth Restaurant, Fuqu Restaurant, Jungle and Garden Cafes 🏨There are several homestays on the north side of the park, staying for a weekend is also a good idea

wake surfing in Sanya

The weather in Sanya is great! they have different kinds of water activities including wake surfing, sea-fishing, surfing diving and etc. I stay at the hotel near the yatch club and it is accessible to reach the place for wake surfing! you can take a didi. It was fun after all! #wakesurfing

Address - Fullerton Singapore Ambiance/Facilities - truly heritage environment Highlights - Nearby Marina Bay with lighting show Avg. Price per Person - $250 Rating - 5