The Chinese Fairytale Tree Tunnel of Tongli

The Chinese Fairytale Tree Tunnel of Tongli

China is a country with many small cities worth visiting, especially around Shanghai. They are also easy to get to. And the city that magazines all over the world have ranked as number 1 is Tongli.

Tongli (Tongli Ancient Town) is an ancient village over 1,000 years old, located in Wujiang District, on the outskirts of Suzhou, only 28 kilometers from Suzhou city center. It is very easy to get to.

Because it is a small village, covering an area of ​​only 60 square kilometers, but has 15 canals and 49 bridges, it has been nicknamed the Little Venice of the East. Each bridge has a different history and superstition, such as the Lucky Bridge, which is said to bring good fortune and prosperity to business; the Celebration Bridge, which is said to bring longevity; and the Peace Bridge, which makes the body strong. In fact, there are so many. We crossed every bridge, probably to gain good fortune, good health, and a long life.

Although it is a small city, it is praised for its very intelligent people. Many people who pass the imperial examinations for high-ranking officials are sent from here. It has been a city of nobles since ancient times. Chinese people will say, "Oh, so you're from Tongli, so you're smart."

Let's leave the history here for now. But what we like most about this city is the beauty of the canals and trees that branch out like in Chinese fairy tales. You can walk anywhere in the city and it's beautiful. Every corner is a good place to take pictures.

At night, it's even more beautiful because the city is lit up. It's so fantasy-like.

There's an entrance fee to the city, which costs 100 yuan or 500 baht per person. But if you're staying in the old city, you can stay for 2 days and 1 night for only 500 baht. So I recommend staying overnight because it's much more fun.

How to get there: From Shanghai, take the high-speed rail from Shanghai Station to Suzhou. It takes 30 minutes and costs 300 baht. Then take the metro to Tongli Station for 20 baht and then take a bus to the old city.

However, if you're with 3-4 people, I recommend taking a long taxi. From Shanghai, the fare is around 1,300 baht. Divide by 3, and it might be cheaper than public transportation. Plus, you don't have to transfer to another vehicle. It takes about 1 hour to get there. We can easily call a TAXI from the DIDI app. It's very convenient.

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Post by _FB***50 | Jun 3, 2025