**One-Day Essential Guide to Tongli Ancient Town, Suzhou

——"When you arrive in Gusu, all homes rest by the river. Few ancient palaces remain, but many water ports and small bridges exist."

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🎫 Tickets and Transportation
- Tickets:
- Buy online in advance for 80 RMB (100 RMB if bought on the day), includes 9 attractions such as Tuisi Garden
- Free entry times: before 7:30 AM / after 5:00 PM free to enter the ancient town (but attractions require separate tickets)
- Transportation:
- Suzhou Station → Metro Line 4 to "Tongli Station" → 10-minute taxi or direct Zhigu T1 line
- Self-driving: navigate to "Tongli Ancient Town Parking Lot," parking fee 10 RMB/day

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⏳ One-Day Itinerary
Morning: Garden Aesthetics + Water Town Stroll
08:00 Tuisi Garden (World Cultural Heritage, take empty shots!) → 09:30 Pearl Pagoda Scenic Garden (Ming Dynasty garden feeding koi) → 11:00 Sanqiao Scenic Area (walk Taiping, Jili, Changqing Bridges for blessings)

Noon: Authentic Local Food
12:00 Jiutanzi Fantong (outside South Gate)
- Must-try: Champion’s Pork Knuckle (sweet and savory), Euryale Shrimp, Steamed White Fish
- Budget alternative: Laijun Dim Sum Shop (Shepherd’s Purse Wontons + Meat Rice Balls)

Afternoon: Rowboat + Cultural Experience
14:00 Rowboat ride (120 RMB/boat, shared rides are more cost-effective) → 15:00 Cat Er Ye’s Home (stamp collection/cultural creations) → 16:00 Chuanxin Alley (narrowest alley for photos)

Evening: Night Scenery and Night Tour
17:30 Tuisi Garden Night Tour (open Fridays/Saturdays, stunning lighting) → 18:30 Sanqiao Night View (lanterns reflected on water)

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📸 Must-Visit Spots
1️⃣ Tuisi Garden
- World Cultural Heritage, pavilions reflected on water
- 📍Photo spots: Naohong’s stone boat, Shuixiang Pavilion’s nine-bend corridor

2️⃣ Sanqiao Scenic Area
- Lanterns light up at dusk, stand on Jili Bridge to photograph black-tiled roofs on both sides
- 💌 Custom: Walk the three bridges (Peace → Romance → Career)

3️⃣ Pearl Pagoda Scenic Garden
- Quiet and serene, the back garden "Magnolia Hall" is the origin of the "Pearl Pagoda" story

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🍜 Food Highlights
✅ Champion’s Pork Knuckle (Jiutanzi Fantong)
✅ Shepherd’s Purse Wontons (Laijun Dim Sum Shop)
✅ Silverfish Scrambled Eggs (Jiangnan Jishi)
✅ Sock Bottom Crisp (Lin’s Shop freshly baked with salt and pepper flavor)

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💡 Practical Tips
1. Rowboat: The western water system is the most beautiful; try asking the boatwoman to sing a folk tune
2. Stamp collection: Free stamp at the Tourist Center, Dongbagu Cultural Shop requires purchase
3. Accommodation: Choose a guesthouse inside the ancient town (e.g., Huajiantang · Lize Girls’ School), more convenient for night tours

> "In Tongli, slowing down is the real deal—sit by the river with a cup of Biluochun tea, waiting for a rowboat to break through the morning mist."

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🛶 This guide avoids peak crowds and covers the most essential parts in the least time! Save it and experience the cost-effective charm of the Jiangnan water town~