Located to the east of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Tongli Water Town of Suzhou is one of the six famous water towns in the Jiangnan region. Often referred to as the “Oriental Venice,” it is a must-visit attraction during your trip to Suzhou in Jiangsu Province, with a history spanning over 1,000 years.
Tongli Water Town is home to many gardens, temples, and former residences of famous individuals, many of which were built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Also, it mainly features bridges, rivers, and ancient streets, and is one of the best-preserved water towns and a key cultural relic protection site in Jiangsu Province.
Facts of Tongli Water Town
- In Chinese:同里古镇 (pinyin: tóng lǐ gǔ zhèn)
- Location: 1 Zhongchuan South Road, Tongli Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province
- Opening time: All day; attractions in the town: 8:00-17:00
- Ticket price: CNY 100, valid for 2 days; Night Ticket with Tuisi Garden: CNY 50
- Time needed: 1-2 days
- Best time to visit: Spring and autumn
- Suited to: Photography lovers, lovers of Chinese architecture and culture of all ages
What to See and Do in Tongli Water Town
1. Visit the Retreat & Reflection Garden
The Retreat and Reflection Garden (Tuisi Garden), a masterpiece of Suzhou classical gardens, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a must-visit attraction during your Suzhou tours to Tongli. Though relatively small, this garden in Tongli Water Town is remarkably well-organized and complete, and you can see carefully arranged pavilions, towers, corridors, and ponds.
This garden is one of the most distinctive parts of Tongli Water Town. For instance, if you have been to Zhujiajiao in Shanghai, comparing Zhujiajiao Water Town to Tongli, you’ll find both places have marvelous architecture and beautiful scenery. However, Zhujiajiao is famous for its Ming and Qing architecture while Tongli mainly features Suzhou gardens with scenic design, with the Retreat and Reflection Garden being the outstanding one.
2. Take a Hand-Rowed Boat along the Canals
To fully experience the charm of the water town, the “Oriental Venice,” take a hand-rowed boat on the canals and cross the bridges while admiring the ancient architecture and scenes of daily life along the riverbanks. With rippling green waters all around, you’ll feel like floating through a painting, which must be a wonderful experience on your Suzhou and Tongli Water Town tour.
3. Explore the Ancient Streets and Lanes
The streets of Tongli Water Town are ancient. For instance, the Ming and Qing Street in the town stretches 160 meters and has preserved its original stone-paved surface, and the buildings along the street retained their original architectural style. As you walk along, you’ll find many charming shops lined up on both sides of the ancient street, selling local specialties and exquisite handicrafts.
4. Cross the Three Bridges
The Three Bridges refer to Taiping Bridge, Jili Bridge, and Changqing Bridge, which form the core area of Tongli Water Town. They are less than 50 meters apart, arranged in a triangular shape, with exquisite stone carvings and poetic couplets on them. Besides, there is also a local custom known as “Crossing the Three Bridges,” which is a ritual activity where people pray for happiness, longevity, and prosperity.
5. Enjoy Local Snacks and Specialties
Tongli Water Town offers not only beautiful scenery but also delicious food, and don’t hesitate to try them during your travel to Suzhou in Tongli. The town is home to many specialty snacks and restaurants, such as crispy cakes, Zhuangyuan Ti (Scholar’s Pork Knuckle), and baked flatbread. Besides, don’t miss Tuisi Garden snacks, such as candied hawthorn and stinky tofu, all of which are quite delicious.
6. Tea Taste Experience at Teahouse of South Garden
Teahouse of South Garden, originally named Fuan Tea House, was established in the early Qing Dynasty. Featuring a traditional brick and wood structure with a four-bay facade, this two-story building in Tongli Water Town is decorated with Qing-style wooden carvings. There, you can taste a cup of tea, and listen to Jiangnan silk and bamboo music, storytelling, traditional operas, and folk tunes.
Best Time to Visit Tongli Water Town
Tongli Water Town in China is suitable for visiting all year round, but the best times to visit are in spring and autumn when the weather is pleasant, and the town’s scenery is at its most beautiful. Weekends and holidays tend to be crowded; to gain a better traveling experience, avoid visiting the town during these times.
How to Get to Tongli Water Town
Located in Wujiang District, Suzhou, the town is about 27 kilometers from downtown Suzhou and 90 kilometers from Shanghai. If you travel from Shanghai to Tongli Water Town, you can take a train from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Suzhou Railway Station, and then take the SRT Line 4 to Tongli Station. Afterward, take the Wujiang Urban MRT T1 Demonstration Line (free) to the water town.
If you find yourself in Suzhou, there are frequent buses and you can take Bus No.725 or 735 from Suzhou to Tongli Water Town. Besides, you can also take the Suzhou Rail Transit Line 4 to Tongli Station and then board the Wujiang Urban MRT T1 Demonstration Line to reach the entrance of Tongli Water Town.
If you have booked a homestay or hotel in Tongli Water Town, you can call them upon arrival at the scenic area, and they will come to pick you up.
Attractions nearby Tongli Water Town
- Canglang Pavilion: Built during the Northern Song Dynasty, this UNESCO World Heritage site near Tongli Water Townis one of the oldest gardens in Suzhou, featuring a landscape centered around rocks.
- Zhouzhuang Water Town: As one of the famous water towns in the Jiangnan region, Zhouzhuang is surrounded by water, with the town formed by rivers and streets developed along the water.
