Tongli Ancient Town A Magnificent Place to Visit
Tongli Ancient Town Over View
Tongli Ancient Town belongs to Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province. It was established during the Song Dynasty. The town is characterized by numerous gardens, temples, residences, and former homes of notable figures, primarily built during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Fifteen small rivers, arranged in a “川” character shape, divide the ancient town into seven islands, which are interconnected by 49 ancient bridges. The town is famous for its scenic combination of “small bridges, flowing water, and local residences.”
*Ancient Streets of Tongli Ancient Town.
*Boating on the Small Stream in Tongli Ancient Town.
Main Attractions
Ming and Qing Street🏮
One of the town’s commercial streets, built in 1996, stretches over 160 meters. It follows the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties and retains the traditional layout of parallel upper and lower streets, typical of Jiangnan. The entrance bears the inscription “Clear and Bright Heritage,” written by Fei Xiaotong.
*Tongli Ancient Town Ming and Qing Street.
Gengle Hall⛩️
Located in Xiliu Slope, in the middle section of Lujia Embankment, this hall faces east towards the river. It was built by Zhu Xiang, a recluse during the Ming Dynasty, with a commemorative inscription written by Mo Dan, a scholar of the Imperial Academy in Nanjing. Zhu Xiang, also known by his courtesy name Tingrui and his style name Gengle, inspired the hall’s name.
*Tongli Ancient Town Gengle Hall.
Tongli Wetland Park
Situated in the northeast of the town, the park borders the ancient water town of Zhouzhuang to the southeast, Cheng Lake to the north, and Baixian Lake to the south. It serves as a must-pass point on the tourism route between Tongli and Zhouzhuang. The park features groves of water and pond cypress, loquat orchards, camphor, ginkgo, peach, and bamboo gardens, along with nurseries, fish ponds, and more.
*Tongli Ancient Town Wetland Park.
Wang Shao'ao Memorial Hall
Located at 35 Fuguan Street, this 500-square-meter building, with an exhibition space of 400 square meters, is dedicated to celebrating the spirit of Wang Shao’ao. It follows his revolutionary life journey, displaying his achievements through artifacts, paintings, and photographs. The first floor houses a specialized exhibition hall that is divided into twelve sections, showcasing different periods of Wang Shao’ao’s life.
*Wang Shao’ao Memorial Hall.
Songshi Wuyuan
Also known simply as “Wuyuan,” this garden, which doubles as the Songping Stone Exhibition Hall, is situated in Shipi Alley near the three bridges of Jili, Taiping, and Changqing. Adjacent to the Pearl Tower Scenic Area, it can be reached by walking south from Fuguan Bridge. Covering 1,600 square meters, the garden’s name originates from a poem by its collector: “Within the stone walls, stones break open to reveal the secret of heaven. When my heart is still, I attain enlightenment and find wisdom.” The garden’s purpose is to decode these secrets and reflect on life, hence its name “Wuyuan.”
*Tongli Ancient Town Songshi Wuyuan.
Chen Qubing’s Former Residence
An old, quaint Qing dynasty residence covering 1,364 square meters. Originally, there was a plaque above the door inscribed with “Filial and Fraternal Heritage.” Inside, there are remnants of a half-pavilion, an ancestral hall, Baichi Tower, and Haoge Hall. When the hall was completed in 1920, Chen Qubing was reading the “Haoge Xing” at Xiangshan, inspiring him to name it “Haoge Hall.” It served as a reception area, featuring plaques that read “Respected by Women” and “Haoge Hall,” with the former being a commendation by Sun Yat-sen in honor of Chen’s mother. The Baichi Tower was Chen’s space for reading and writing, and the “Baichi Lou Anthology” was named after it.
*Tongli Ancient Town Chen Qubing’s Former Residence.
Luoxing Island
Combining elements of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, this small island in Tongli Lake lies to the east of the town and can only be accessed by boat.
*Tongli Ancient Town Luoxing Island.
Nanyuan Tea House
Situated in the southern part of the ancient town, in what was historically one of the “Eight Views” known as “Morning Smoke over the Southern Market,” it faces the former residence of Chen Qubing across the river. Originally named “Fuan Tea House,” it was built at the end of the Qing dynasty. The building is a traditional brick-and-wood structure, with exquisite wood carvings in Qing style, spread over two floors and covering about 400 square meters.
*Tongli Ancient Town Nanyuan Tea House.
Chongben Hall
Located at the north end of Changqing Bridge on Fuguan Street, it faces south, overlooking the water, and is opposite Jiayin Hall across the river. Built by Qian Youqin, a local resident, in 1912 on the site of a former residence, it features five parts: a gate, main hall, front and back buildings, and a kitchen. Though less than an acre in size, the architecture is compact and finely detailed.
*Chongben Hall.
Jiayin Hall
Situated at the entrance of Youjia Alley on Zhuhang Street, this building, constructed in 1922, features exquisite carvings on its doors, windows, and beams. The owner, Liu Bingnan, made his fortune from an oil mill and later moved to Tongli, where he built this residence with a total cost of 20,000 silver taels. Liu was a relative of the poet Liu Yazi. The building’s design mimics the Ming style and is nicknamed “Official Hat Hall” because the eaves resemble the wings of a traditional official’s hat. The structure features detailed carvings, including scenes from the “Eight Steeds,” and depictions from “Romance of the Three Kingdoms.”
*Jiayin Hall.
Three Bridges
Refers to Taiping Bridge, Jili Bridge, and Changqing Bridge. Taiping Bridge spans the East Liu and Qi Character areas. Jili Bridge, an arch bridge, connects Qi Character and Yinzi areas, located between the other two. Changqing Bridge, also known as Xie Family Bridge, spans the East Liu and Yinzi areas and was formerly called Fujian or Guangli Bridge.
*Three Bridges.
Retreat and Reflection Garden
Built between 1885 and 1887 during the Guangxu era of the Qing dynasty, the garden features a pond at its center with surrounding pavilions, terraces, corridors, bridges, and various buildings. The residential area has two main buildings, named Wanxiang Lou after the garden owner’s style name. The corridors connecting the two wings have long windows, offering an elegant and bright environment.
*Retreat and Reflection Garden.
Folk Customs
Walking the Three Bridges🌉
A local tradition for seeking blessings and avoiding disasters, where residents walk across the three ancient stone bridges—Taiping, Jili, and Changqing. This custom is recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Wujiang District.
Beating Lotus Pods
A folk musical instrument popular in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai. Made from green bamboo, the instrument contains copper coins inserted into holes to create a melodious sound, accompanied by colorful ribbons. Initially performed by men at temple fairs, the tradition has expanded to include women.
*Night View of Tongli Ancient Town.
*Street Scene by the Small Stream in Tongli Ancient Town.
Local Cuisine
Min Cake🎂
A traditional snack from Tongli’s Minjiawan, known as a specialty of Bintangzhai. The recipe, passed down through the Min family for over 400 years, involves using “Min cake grass” to mix with rice flour, creating a dumpling with bean paste and walnut filling. It is steamed to perfection, offering a unique flavor that is soft, aromatic, and smooth. Min cakes were once an imperial tribute during the Qing dynasty.
Wadi Pastry
Shaped like a sock sole, this layered pastry is crispy and has a balanced sweet and savory flavor. Popular in Jiangnan, it is known for its meticulous preparation, involving multiple layers of dough and careful filling.