Tongli Water Town

Highlights to See in Tongli

Traditional residences including gardens, houses and temples, built in the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty, are the highlight of the town.



【Jiayin Hall and Congben Hall】
Jiayin Hall was built in 1922 and is known for its fine carvings on the structure. Congben Hall built in 1911 is also known for its carvings on the structure. There are more than one hundred of well-preserved woodcarvings of traditional figures from Chinese classics. Both of the halls are traditional Chinese architectures and are well protected.

【The Retreat & Reflection Garden】
One of most notable attractions in the water town is the Retreat & Reflection Garden (Tuisiyuan Garden), which lies in the center of the town. It is a private garden owned by Ren Lansheng with its landscapes of pavilions, towers, terraces and a man-made lake, and it was built in 1885-1887 and designed by Yuanlon. In 2001, the Retreat & Reflection Garden was recognized with other classical Suzhou gardens as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

【Three Bridges】
The most famous bridges among the 49 bridges in Tongli are the three bridges called Taiping (peace), Jili (luck) and Changqing (celebration) bridges, which has been important landmarks of the town and regarded as the sacred architecture by the locals.

【The Pearl Tower】
It is a not real tower and it is just a model made up of pearls. Also, it’s the name of a famous drama. It is in this place that the moving story between Fangqin and Chen cui’e happened. Fangqin’s father was banished by the court. So he came to his aunt to ask for help, but when his aunt heard of the bad news of Fang’s she despised the poor and refused to help him. But his cousin was very kind and gave the Pearl Tower secretly to Fangqin. So latterly, Fangqin became the Zhuangyuan.

【Antique Garden (Gufengyuan)】
Located east of Gongyuan Bridge, Gufengyuan is a cultural museum that houses three main sections: Hundred Antique Beds, Exquisite Wood Carvings, and Ancient Curios. Visitors can admire porcelain, bronze ware, jade, calligraphy tools, and famous Yixing teapots. Each piece is carefully labeled with its age and origin by experts from the Palace Museum. The wood carvings are inspired by Chinese opera stories and vividly bring the past to life.
 

【Wuyuan Garden (Songshi Wuyuan)】
Also known as the “Stone Appreciation Garden,” this small but elegant site displays ancient stones and rocks with peculiar shapes, blending natural beauty with the scholarly tradition of stone appreciation in Jiangnan. It is located near the Pearl Tower Scenic Area and close to the iconic Three Bridges.
 

【Gengle Hall】
Situated in the western part of Tongli, Gengle Hall was built in the Ming Dynasty by Zhu Xiang, a scholar who once worked in the Imperial Academy in Nanjing. Facing the river, the residence features spacious courtyards and finely arranged halls. Its name, “Gengle,” reflects the owner’s ideal of a peaceful rural life and love for simple pleasures.

How to Plan a Day Trip from Suzhou/Shanghai

Planning a day trip to Tongli from Suzhou or Shanghai is easy and rewarding. Tongli is best enjoyed slowly. When you stroll its old streets, cross its bridges, or drift along the canals, the town’s charm lies in its ability to transport you back to a simpler, poetic Jiangnan lifestyle.

Morning: Arrive at Tongli Water Town and enter from the South Gate. Begin your journey with a visit to the Retreat & Reflection Garden (Tuisiyuan Garden), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take your time to appreciate its exquisite pavilions, tranquil water features, and elegant landscaping that showcase the essence of classical Jiangnan gardens.
 

Lunch: Enjoy local specialties inside the ancient town. Popular choices include Suo Di Su (crispy layered pastry), Qianshi Cake (made with gorgon fruit), and the famous “Three Whites of Taihu Lake” (whitefish, white shrimp, and silverfish). These traditional flavors provide an authentic taste of Tongli’s culinary heritage.

Afternoon: Head to the iconic Three Bridges — Taiping, Jili, and Changqing — to experience the symbolic bridge culture of Tongli. Afterwards, visit Jiayin Hall and Congben Hall to admire their intricate wood and brick carvings and immerse yourself in the architectural beauty of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Evening: End your day with a leisurely boat ride along the canals, where you can enjoy the soft glow of lanterns and reflections of the old houses in the water. Alternatively, stop by Nanyuan Teahouse to sip tea and listen to pingtan (traditional Suzhou storytelling and ballad singing), for a truly relaxing Jiangnan evening.

Tickets
A combo ticket costs 100 RMB per person, covering main attractions such as the Retreat & Reflection Garden, the Three Bridges, Jiayin Hall, and Congben Hall. Booking in advance can secure a discounted price of 80 RMB. Note that entry to the town is free before 8:00 am and after 5:00 pm, although some attractions may be closed during those times.

How to Get to Tongli Water Town

→ From Shanghai: around 80 km to Tongli. Take a bus from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport or Shanghai Bus Station. Or take a train to Suzhou frist, then transfer to Tongli from there.

→ From Suzhou: 18 km to Tongli. Take a bus from Suzhou North Gate Long Distance Bus Station or directly from Suzhou Train Station.