How to Visit Tongli Town
Tongli Town (同里）is a famous ancient watertown in the Yangtze River Delta, specifically scattered around the large river crisscross triangle area of Suzhou, Shanghai and Hangzhou. Under the administration of Wujiang District in Suzhou, Tongli Town is located in the southeast of Suzhou, 50 minutes drive from downtown Suzhou, one and half hour from Hangzhou and one and half hour from Shanghai.
The ancient Tongli Town has a history of over 1000 years, a typical watertown in the Yangzte River area. The ancient town is scenic enough to be surrounded by waters. The town is cut into 7 islands by 15 canals which are linked by 45 bridges. It is reputed as "the Venice of the East".
When you visit Suzhou, Shanghai or Hangzhou, you may have a side trip to Tongli Town. Of course, having an excursion from Suzhou to Tongli is the most convenient with only 50 minutes by bus or half hour by taxi. At the time of research, the taxi ride from Suzhou to Tongli costs about RMB 100 while a long-distance bus ride only costs RMB 8.
For a bus ride to Tongli from Suzhou, you may take a long-distance bus either from the Long-distance Bus Station on the northern square of Suzhou Railway Station or from Suzhou North Bus Station. Suzhou Railway Station and Suzhou North Bus Station is only one bus stop away.
For a long-distance bus from Shanghai to Tongli Town, you may take the bus either from Shanghai Sightseeing Bus Center (Shanghai Stadium) leaving at 9:30am or Shanghai Long-distance Bus Station (Zhongxing Road) every leaving every half hour. For the public tranportation from Hangzhou to Tongli Town, you should go to Hangzhou North Bus Station for a hourly bus ride to Tongli.
A bunch of the ancient buildings in Ming and Qing dynasties are well preserved and open to the public including Retreat and Refection Garden, Pearl Pagoda, Chongben Hall, Genhle Hall, Chen Qubing's former residence, Wang Shaoao's Memorial Museum and Songshiwu Garden. The ancient watertown is mainly composed of canals, roads, bridges, residences and gardens where you will be lost in the beautiful view.
Entrance fee: RMB 100
Opening Hour:
07:30-17:30 (May-October)
07:30-17:15 (November-April)
Enquiry: 0512-800882990
Complaint: 0512-63321999
Emergency: 0512-63320995
Follow me to Tongli Town by bus from Suzhou Railway Station North Square Passenger Bus Station (苏州火车站北广场客运站站).
Suzhou Railway Station North Square Passenger Bus Station
Aboard the long-distance bus for Tongli Town
Aboard the long-distance bus for Tongli Town
Every bus has assigned seats. You've got a printed bus ticket with your seat number.
Every bus has assigned seats. You've got a printed bus ticket with your seat number.
We leave from Suzhou at 8:15am and arrive at Tongli Passenger Bus Station around 9:00m.
Tongli Passenger Bus Station
Just next to the Tongli Bus Station is the Tongli Tourist Information Center and Tciketing Office where you buy your entrance ticket. It is approx. half hour's walk from the tourist inaformation center to the main entrance to the Tongli ancient town. You can buy a 5-yuan electric car carrying you to the entrance.
Tongli Tourist Information Center and Tciketing Office
The sample entrance ticket for Tongli Town. Each ticket allows visitors to have access to 10 major attractions within the Tongli Town.
Tongli Entrance Ticket
If you want to learn more about the town's history and anecdotes behind, you can hire a local English speaking tour guide rated RMB 120 per group.
English speaking tour guide rated RMB 120 per group.
About half hour walk takes me to the street leading to the decorated archway enrance to the ancient town. The street is lined with shops selling local products and restaurants offering the local snacks and dishes.
the decorated archway enrance to the ancient town
An old bridge straddles a canal after the decorated archway. The local residents live a slow life, fishing, drinking, reading and the list could be much longer.
An old bridge straddles a canal after the decorated archway.
The houses are confronted by the wide canals.
The houses are confronted by the wide canals.
A local hairdresser's shop
A local hairdresser's shop
At the northeast corner of the bridge, there is a Youth Hostel known as Tongli International Hostel. Tel:18913050199, 0512-63339311
Tongli International Hostel
He is making malt sugar in a unqiue way of extending the stick malt sugar much longer than most of the people expectation.
He is making malt sugar in a unqiue way
An old theatre stage
An old theatre stage
You won't be lost since there are a slew of signboardds en route reminding you of your next right direction.
a slew of signboardds en route reminding you of your next right direction
Numerous pleasure boats are waiting for passengers to be on board for the canal cruise.
Numerous pleasure boats are waiting for passengers to be on board for the canal cruise.
Passengers walking on shore while the pleasure boat is plying on the canal.
Passengers walking on shore while the pleasure boat is plying on the canal.
The faded white-washed wall with wooden windowns
The faded white-washed wall with wooden windowns
The canal cuts through the town with residences being connected to the water.
The canal cuts through the town with residences being connected to the water.
The arch stone bridge spans the canal
The arch stone bridge spans the canal
Enjoy a slow life in Tongli Town
Enjoy a slow life in Tongli Town
Bridges, trees, canals, boats and happy holidaymakers constitue a pretty picture of the old town.
Bridges, trees, canals, boats and happy holidaymakers
A cup of tea keeps life pressure away
A cup of tea keeps life pressure away
The narrow old faded lane tells you the history
The narrow old faded lane tells you the history
Simple and pristine life
Simple and pristine life
Any questions, just drop line.
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