Tongli Town

» Suzhou, Jiang Su

Tongli Town Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

As an ancient town with more than 1000 years history and very convenient transportation, Tongli features typically the water county of South China. There are 5 lakes surround Tongli from outside, and inside, the town is divided into 15 small islands by more than 10 rivers. However, the islands are connected by more than 40 various style stone bridges which built in different dynasties.

Thanks to these lakes and waterways, Tongli Town stayed away from wars since it was inaccessible in the old times, which made more ancient buildings well preserved.

Residential House

The layout of the town and the residences along both banks retain the traditional style. Occupying four tenths of the total, Ming and Qing buildings, which include grand houses, small exquisite courtyard and gardens, are the highlight of Tongli town. Decorated with flying eaves, brick carvings, elegant windows, they are mostly built towards the water, sometimes with a small garden in their rears. In order to be convenient for washing, small stairs were built in front of the house leading to the river.

Garden

Due to the charming environment here, in ancient times, many noble men and distinguish families built their private gardens in succession. These complexes, featured by the harmonious combination of residential houses and gardens, are especially unique and rare in all other water towns south of Yangtze River.

Retreat and Reflection Garden

Lying in the township of Tongli, this garden was built by Ren Lansheng in 1886 during the Qing dynasty, after he was discharged from office. When in the office, one should be loyal to the emperor, when away from the office; one should meditate upon his previous faults. It was the motto of the officials in imperial times, hence the name "Retreat and Reflection Garden".

Covers an area of 10 mu (1.6 acres), the garden is divided into two parts: the western part is residential area, including sedan hall, tea hall and the main hall and the eastern part scenery area, composing of the exterior and interior gardens. The three sides but the north of the exterior garden is halls for meeting or entertaining guests. Inside the courtyard is an eastward land boat, a rendezvous of the guests. The stern is combined with lattice windows and veranda. The northern side of the courtyard is the "Viewing Moon Loft", from where the host together with his guests hummed verses and responded each other with poems in the quiet moonlight. In the interior garden, the pavilions, terraces, boudoirs, the winding causeways and corridors and the rockeries all surround the pond or lie close to the water, giving an illusion of floating on the water.

Ancient Bridge

In a water town, bridge always plays an important role in people daily life. There are about 49 bridges in Tongli, in which Taiping, Jili, Changqing bridges are most famous. Exquisite and simple, Taiping Bridge was built in 1747 during the Qing dynasty. Changqing Bridge, also named Guangli Bridge, was rebuilt by Xiezhen in the Ming dynasty.

Siben Bridge, built in the Southern Song dynasty, is the oldest bridge in Tongli town. Dubu Bridge, 5 feet in length and 3 feet in width, is the smallest bridge in the town.

As a character of Tongli, these ancient bridges today are reputed as the witness of the history, telling the story of the past.

Tongli is also rich in culture. In the long run of its history, it was once famed for its achievements in the imperial examinations and has produced famous Confucians and notables. About 40 stone tablets of different periods have been well preserved and a quite number of its streets and alleys are named after the official titles such as Zhuangyuan Street, Tongzhi Street, etc.

With its long history, cultural background and abundant products, there are a lot of famous persons and Number One Scholar who come from Tongli, and the Min cake, smoke fish, meat dumpling, chestnut kernel, steamed meat bread and so on are well-known food of Tongli which have enjoyed high reputation. Directed by the overall plan of "protecting ancient town, developing tourist resource and economy", one garden, two halls, three bridges and Tongli Lake holiday have been formed and the T-shaped river course, Ming and Qing dynasties' streets, the pearl Tower, some temples and former residences are under renewal. We are sure that the ancient town-Tongli will attract you, will show you its remarkable achievement.

Tongli Town was open to the public in 1986 and in 1995 cited as one of the first historic cultural towns in Jiangsu province.

Attractions around » Suzhou, Jiang Su

Historical Site

• Hanshan Temple
• Tongli Town
• Panmen Gate

Cultural Site

• Tiger Hill
• Humble Administrator's Garden
• Liuyuan Garden
• Panmen Gate
• Shizilin Garden
• Master-of-Nets Garden
• Canglang Pavilion

Shopping & Leisure

• Guanqian Street

Tongli Town Highlights

South China Water Town attraction highlights

• Ancient Town of Zhouzhuang
• Ancient Town of Wuzhen
• Old Town of Xitang
• Tongli Town

city highlights

• Suzhou
• Wuxi
• Jiaxing

Ancient City & Town in Great China

• Lijiang Old Town
• Ancient Town of Zhouzhuang
• Shuhe Naxi Village
• Jiaohe Ruins
• Ancient Town of Wuzhen
• Pingyao Ancient City
• Tunxi Ancient Street
• Xidi Village
• Hongcun Village
• Yangliuqing Town
• Old Town of Xitang
• Cuandixia Village
• Zhujiajiao Old Town
• Phoenix Town
• Loulan Ancient City
• Qiuci Capital Ruins
• Baidicheng
• Fengdu
• Shibaozhai Temple
• Mallikurwatur Ruins
• Tangyue Archway
• Dali Ancient City
• Qingyan Ancient Town
• Zhenyuan Ancient Town
• Stone Drum Town
• Gaochang Ancient City
• Furong Town
• Qibaozhen Ancient Town
• Tongli Town
• Daxu Ancient Town
• Jingzhou Ancient City
• Nanping Village
• Xingping Town
• Longli Ancient Town
• Ancient Sanlu Temple Street
• Shiban Street
• Ciqikou Old Town
• Tunbao Cultural Village
• Kashgar Old Town
• Subashi Ancient City
• Gyangtze Old Town
• Lhatse
• Jinli Street
• Langzhong Ancient City

Tongli Town FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. How about the weather in Suzhou?
2. When is the best time to visit there?

  Travel

1. How to rent a bicycle?
2. Write down names and numbers if you don't speak Chinese.

  Customs

1. Could you tell me something about local festival - Ya Shenxian?

  Other Hints

1. People do tips there?
2. Do people speak English there?

• How about the weather in Suzhou?

  Suzhou is located in a subtropical monsoon zone, so the weather is mild and moist with four distinct seasons.

  The Plum Rain Season of June is followed by a hot July. After July, a harvest autumn arrives. Both the fresh fruits and the seafood will surely whet your appetite.

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When is the best time to visit there?

• It's best to visit Suzhou between January and April because the temperature is not too low and the flowers are in full bloom until June.

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• How to rent a bicycle?

  You can find bicycles for rent at a lot of place, but you will need to leave deposit and show your identity card.

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• Write dowm names and numbers if you don't speak Chinese.

  Being a foreigner in China, is quite demanding as you would have to struggle with the language barrier. Our best tip for people travelling from one place to another is to know the chinese character of the place you intend to go to and make sure you jot down the plate number of the bus, and it may prove very helpful once you leave some stuff behind.

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• Could you tell me something about local festival - Ya Shenxian?

  Ya Shenxian (April 14th in Chinese lunar calendar)
  April 14th is said to be the birthday of Lv Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals in Chinese Taoist mythology.

  On that day, he comes to Suzhou disguised as a human to spread happiness and prosperity. To receive more luck from the immortal, people from all over Suzhou crowd the streets in celebration.

  Today, this activity has turned into a bustling temple fair with various displays including handicrafts, plants, animals, and local snacks.

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• People do tips there?

  People here in Suzhou usually don't do tips. You don't have to pay porters for carrying things around for you. You don't have to pay waiter or waitress for bringing your dish.

  But some tips might make their life a bit easier. So tip or not tip, all depends on your personal preference.

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• Do people speak English there?

  The official language of China is Mandarin, though regional dialects pervade every corner of this massive country. Learning a few phrases in Mandarin is sufficient for travel in Suzhou.

  While younger Chinese and those involved with the tourist industry may understand varying degrees of English, it is still advised that visitors carry the name of their hotel and other important destinations written in Chinese characters.

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