The Tongli Ancient City
Tongli Ancient Town, located in Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, is an ancient town with a thousand-year history and is full of the charm of the water towns in the regions south of the Yangtze River. With its classical architecture featuring small bridges over flowing streams, white walls, and grey tiles, as well as its profound cultural heritage, Tongli Ancient Town is known as the "Venice of the East". It is a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction and one of the World Cultural Heritage sites. Tongli Ancient Town is surrounded by water, with crisscrossing rivers and streams within the town, creating a vivid picture of the water towns in the regions south of the Yangtze River, where small bridges, flowing streams, and households blend harmoniously. The buildings within the ancient town are mainly from the Ming and Qing dynasties, mostly adopting the Hui-style architectural features of white walls, grey tiles, and horsehead walls, appearing quaint, elegant, and filled with historical charm. Major attractions include the Tuisi Garden, Chongben Hall, Jiayin Hall, Taiping Bridge, Jili Bridge, Changqing Bridge, and more, each exuding a strong sense of history and cultural heritage.
Main Attractions
Core Area of the Ancient Town: A Stroll Through Time
In the core area of the ancient town, every step feels like walking on the pulse of history, drawing people into a romantic and serene experience that transcends time.
· Tuisi Garden: As the landmark attraction of Tongli Ancient Town, Tuisi Garden captivates the gaze of countless tourists with its unique charm. This garden has earned the reputation of being a "World Cultural Heritage" site for its exquisite layout, elegant style, and rich cultural connotations. Stepping into the garden, one is greeted by a delightful interplay of rockeries, ponds, pavilions, and towers, unfolding like a captivating scroll painting. The rockeries stand majestic, while the ponds are crystal-clear, reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, and surrounding scenery, filling one's heart with serenity. The pavilions and towers are scattered in harmony, each revealing the essence of ancient garden art. Here, you can slow down your pace, savor the classical elegance, and feel the unique charm of ancient gardens.
· Three Bridges Scenic Area: The three ancient bridges of Tongli Ancient Town – Taiping Bridge, Jili Bridge, and Changqing Bridge – are not only the transportation hubs of the town but also its unique scenic spots. These three bridges have a long history and vary in shape, each carrying the town's long years of history. Taiping Bridge is quaint and elegant, Jili Bridge is small and exquisite, and Changqing Bridge appears solemn and steady. Walking among the three bridges, you feel like you have traveled back to the life scenes of ancient water towns, experiencing that tranquility and harmony. The murmuring water flowing under the bridges seems to narrate the town's past, immersing you in that quaint and serene atmosphere. Here, you can fully appreciate the charm of the ancient town and feel the romantic and serene experience that transcends time.
Historic and Cultural District: Exploring the Roots and Soul of the Ancient Town
Stepping into the historic and cultural district of Tongli Ancient Town feels like traveling through a time tunnel to a world filled with historical charm and cultural depth. Every brick and tile here seems to be telling the ancient stories of the town, inspiring awe and longing in people's hearts.
· Mingqing Street: This is a street filled with antique charm, preserving a large number of buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Walking along this street, you can see shops lining up, bustling with activity, as if you have stepped into an ancient town filled with market life. The architectural style here is quaint and elegant, with each building radiating the charm of history. You can experience the market life of the ancient town and feel that unique atmosphere of bustling life. At the same time, this is also a great place to buy special handicrafts and taste authentic local cuisine. You can pick out some exquisite handicrafts as souvenirs or savor some authentic town delicacies, letting your taste buds also feel the richness and charm of history.
· Jiayin Hall: This is an ancient building filled with artistic atmosphere, renowned for its exquisite woodcarving and brick-carving art. Stepping into Jiayin Hall, you feel like you have entered an ancient scholarly family filled with the fragrance of books. The layout here is reasonable, and the furniture is elegantly arranged, with every detail revealing the superb craftsmanship and aesthetic taste of ancient craftsmen. Woodcarving and brick-carving art are displayed to their fullest here, with both human and animal figures vividly portrayed, full of vitality and vigor. You can savor the beauty of this art here and feel the profoundness of ancient culture. At the same time, this is also an important window to understand the history and culture of the ancient town, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of the roots and soul of the town.
Waterside Natural Scenery: Experiencing the Tranquility and Harmony of the Ancient Town
Tongli Ancient Town not only attracts countless tourists with its profound historical and cultural heritage, but its surrounding waterside natural scenery is equally captivating and unforgettable. Every scenery here seems to be a carefully crafted artwork by nature, allowing people to feel the tranquility and harmony of the ancient town while admiring it.
· Tongli Wetland Park: Located in the embrace of the ancient town, this wetland park shines like a brilliant pearl. The park boasts rich aquatic plant and bird resources, making it an excellent spot for bird watching, photography, and connecting with nature. Walking along the trails in the wetland park, you can see green lotus leaves swaying in the water, as if dancers of nature are dancing gracefully. Occasionally, a waterbird or two skims across the water surface, leaving ripples that break the tranquility of the water while adding a touch of vitality and vigor. The air is filled with a refreshing scent, making people feel refreshed and as if all their worries have drifted away with this fresh air. Here, you can fully experience the tranquility and harmony of nature, allowing your soul to truly relax and purify.
· Luoxingzhou Island: This is a small island near Tongli Ancient Town, shining like a pearl lost in the rippling waves. The island is shaded by green trees, with birds singing and flowers blooming, creating a serene environment that feels like a haven away from the hustle and bustle of the world. Visitors can take a boat to Luoxingzhou and experience the joy of navigating through the rippling waves. The boat gently glides across the water, leaving graceful arcs that add a touch of poetry and romance to this beautiful scenery. After landing on Luoxingzhou, you can enjoy this peaceful moment to your heart's content, allowing your body and mind to fully rest and relax. Here, you can feel the magic and charm of nature, letting your soul merge with nature to jointly compose a beautiful song of harmony.
Information
Chinese Name: 同里古镇
Ticket Prices: The combined ticket for a tour of the ancient town costs 100 yuan per person, covering ten attractions including the Tuisi Garden, Ancient Style Garden, Historical Artifact Exhibition Hall, Pearl Tower, Pine and Stone Insight Garden, Chongben Hall, Jiayin Hall, Gengle Hall, Chen Qubing's Former Residence, and Luoxingzhou Island.
Service Hotline: 400-698-2990
Location: No. 1 Zhongchuan South Road, Tongli Ancient Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province.
Openning Times: from 08:00 to 17:15 all year round, with the latest entry time being 17:00.
Best Travel Times:
The best travel times are spring and autumn each year. Spring (from March to May) is the flower-viewing season in Tongli Ancient Town, with cherry blossoms, peach blossoms, and rape flowers blooming competitively, adding vitality and vigor to the ancient town. Autumn (from September to November) is the season to enjoy the autumn scenery in Tongli, as the maple leaves and ginkgo trees gradually change color, dressing the ancient town in a golden coat. Additionally, during specific holidays and weekends, the ancient town hosts various special events and exhibitions, such as lantern festivals and flower shows, providing visitors with a more diversified experience.
Travel Tips:
Plan Your Trip Ahead: Tongli Ancient Town attracts many visitors, so it is recommended to plan your trip in advance and allocate your time reasonably to avoid wasting time queuing within the scenic area.
Be Mindful of Weather Changes: Tongli Ancient Town experiences distinct seasons. Visitors should pay attention to weather changes and bring sunscreen, rainwear, and other essentials.
Protect Cultural Relics and Ancient Architecture: While visiting the ancient town, please respect cultural relics and ancient architecture. Do not touch or damage exhibits and buildings. At the same time, please keep quiet and avoid loud noises or disturbing others' visits.
Safety First: There are many rivers in the ancient town. Visitors should be cautious while playing and avoid frolicking or swimming near the river. Additionally, pay attention to your footing during the visit to prevent slips, falls, or other accidents.
Eco-Friendly Travel: To protect the environment, visitors can choose to walk or take public transportation to Tongli Ancient Town. Within the scenic area, please comply with garbage classification regulations and do not litter.
Tongli Ancient Town is a comprehensive tourist attraction that integrates the customs of the water towns in the south of the Yangtze River, classical architecture, and a profound cultural heritage. Whether visitors are interested in traditional Chinese culture or curious about historical relics, they can find their own fun and gains here. I hope the introduction in this article can help with your travels and allow you to spend a pleasant and unforgettable time in Tongli Ancient Town.
