I thought Wuzhen was beautiful, until I came to Tongli Ancient Town!

🌟 Tongli Ancient Town Travel Guide 🌟
📍 Location and Transportation
Tongli Ancient Town is located in Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, about 40 km from Suzhou city center. It is easily accessible.
From Shanghai: Take the high-speed train to Suzhou Station, then transfer to Subway Line 4 to Tongli Station. From there, take Bus No. 725 directly to the ancient town.
From Suzhou: Take Subway Line 4 directly to Tongli Station. From there, take Bus No. 725.
🎫 Tickets and Opening Hours
Ticket price: 100 CNY/person.
Opening hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm.
🏞 Recommended Attractions
1. The Retreat & Reflection Garden 🌿
The most famous garden in Tongli, and the only garden in the south of the Yangtze River listed as a World Cultural Heritage site. The layout of the garden is exquisite, offering changing scenery with every step. It is well worth a visit.
Tip: There are electric cars at the entrance of the Retreat & Reflection Garden for easy access.
2. Jiayin Hall 🏠
This is a typical Ming and Qing Dynasty building, with carved beams and painted rafters, full of historical charm.
3. Three Bridges 🌉
A landmark attraction in Tongli Ancient Town, the three ancient bridges are Taiping Bridge, Jili Bridge, and Changqing Bridge, symbolizing good fortune.
4. Ming and Qing Street 🛍️
This is a great place to taste local delicacies and buy souvenirs. Don't miss the sock-bottom cakes, water-caltrop cakes, and sweet osmanthus dumplings.
5. Luoxing Island 🌊
A small island located on the lake east of the ancient town, accessible by boat, it is a good place to burn incense and worship Buddha.
🍲 Food Recommendations
Three-delicacy Tangyuan (sweet dumplings): Filled with pork, shrimp, and fresh mushrooms, they are incredibly delicious.
Zhuangyuan Pork Trotter: Soft and glutinous, it is a local specialty.
Sock-bottom Cakes: Crispy and delicious, they are Tongli's signature snack.
🏨 Accommodation Suggestions
Inside the ancient town: There are many characteristic homestays, allowing you to better experience the ancient town at night.
Outside the ancient town: There are budget hotels near Huanhu West Road with more comprehensive facilities.
📅 Itinerary Planning
One-day tour: Visit the Retreat & Reflection Garden, Jiayin Hall, and other attractions in the morning; enjoy local cuisine at Ming and Qing Street at noon; take a boat tour of Tongli Lake in the afternoon.
Two-day tour: Explore the core area of the ancient town on the first day and experience the waterside night market in the evening; visit the Tongli Lake Scenic Area on the second day and enjoy the natural scenery.
🌟 Tips
Best time to visit: Spring and autumn, when the climate is pleasant.
Clothing suggestions: There are many narrow alleys in the ancient town, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
Environmental reminder: Protect the environment of the ancient town and do not litter.
🎉 Tongli Ancient Town is a poetic Jiangnan water town. Whether you stroll along the stone-paved roads or take a boat tour, you can feel the unique charm of this thousand-year-old town. Come here and embark on a peaceful and beautiful journey!