Lotus Appreciation Guide in Tongli Wetland

🌸 Tongli Wetland: A Millennial Poetry Painting of Summer Lotus Ponds
The lotus flowers in Tongli seem to have stepped out of Tang Dynasty poetry. This Jiangnan water town with over 1,300 years of history has every lotus leaf imbued with the ink fragrance of literati. As early as the Yuan Dynasty, it formed the water town pattern of "numerous bridges over watery alleys, houses all nestling by the river," and the lotus ponds in the wetland park elevate this classical beauty to its zenith.

🌿 A Millennial Cycle in the Lotus Pond
The wetland park is most enchanting at dawn. Strolling along the wooden boardwalk, watching morning dew roll on lotus leaves, one suddenly understands why Yang Wanli wrote "Tender lotus buds just reveal sharp tips." Tongli boasts over 20 varieties of lotus, including century-old ancient lotus plants. Legend has it that Southern Song poet Lu You left poems by these ponds during his visit.

🎋 Lotus Charm in Ou Garden
Hidden deep in the wetlands, Ou Garden is a perfect spot for lotus viewing. Built during the Qing Dynasty and named after "couple farming" to symbolize marital seclusion, its central lotus pond presents a spectacular "endless green leaves reaching the sky" scene each summer. Standing on the zigzag bridge, watching koi dart between lotus leaves, one feels transported into an ancient poem-painting.

🚣‍♀️ Moonlight on Lotus Pond from a Punting Boat
At dusk, don't miss the punting boat lotus tour. Boat women sing soft Wu dialect folk songs while wooden oars ripple the water, startling egrets. When sunset gilds the pond, you'll truly comprehend "straying deep into lotus blooms." Visit at dawn or twilight for optimal lighting and minimal crowds.

Summer in Tongli belongs to the lotus. Here, every leaf tells a Jiangnan story spanning millennia.

Post by Ava Bell Ava+85 | Aug 9, 2025