Located in Suzhou Wujiang, the Tongli Ancient Town is a Jiangnan water town surrounded by lakes, with a network of rivers dividing the town into seven islands. Almost every household in the ancient town is adjacent to water, featuring many narrow alleys and old buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The town is not often crowded with tourists, offering a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. At night, the lights along the eaves create a stunning visual experience.
The Tongli Ancient Town’s tourist area is not large, and it is usually visited on foot. Additionally, visitors can opt for a paid rickshaw tour. The entrance to the ancient town is on the south side of the scenic area, where one can immediately witness the picturesque scenery of small bridges and flowing water throughout. The unique and historically significant Sanqiao, or Three Bridges, are located in the heart of the ancient town.
There are exquisite and small gardens, former residences of celebrities, and characteristic exhibition halls within the town, all of which can be visited on foot. Luoxingzhou, a small island on the lake to the east of the ancient town, is a place where one can burn incense and worship Buddhas, accessible by a 20-minute walk from the ancient town to the dock and then by boat.
In Tongli, it is a must to try the local snacks. The Ming and Qing streets and Zhuhang Street, located on both sides of the entrance, are areas dense with local delicacies. Tongli’s pastries are distinctive, with袜底酥、芡实糕、麦芽塌饼 being particularly famous, while the Jiangnan specialty osmanthus-flavored glutinous rice balls and the scholar’s trotters are also delightful for the palate. Visitors can stroll along these two streets, savoring the delicious offerings.
Apart from snacks, the scenic area also has many artistic and bohemian spots, mostly concentrated on the south side of the ancient town. The Nanyuan Tea House is a representative of these, where sitting on the second floor and enjoying a cup of tea while occasionally watching a Pingtan performance is a pleasant experience not to be missed.
For a two-day visit, one can stay overnight in the ancient town. There are many homestays and inns within the town, but while the accommodations are characteristic, their facilities are not as modern as those of hotels outside the town. The area near Huanhu West Road to the east of the ancient town offers quick hotels and guesthouses as alternatives.
Opening hours are from 08:00 to 17:15 daily from January 1st to August 13th, from November 1st to December 31st, and from August 14th to October 31st. From August 14th to October 31st, the Tui Si Garden night tour is also open from 17:30 to 20:45, with the latest entry time being 20:15, and a 15-minute clearing before the night tour begins.
Preferential policies include free entry for children under 6 years old or under 1.4 meters in height with valid identification; half-price for children aged 6 to 18 with valid identification; half-price for full-time university students with valid student identification; free entry for people aged 70 and above with valid identification (60 and above in Wujiang district); half-price for those aged 60 to 70 with valid identification; free entry for active duty military personnel and retired military officers with valid identification; free entry for disabled persons and one accompanying person with valid identification; free entry for journalists with valid press identification; free entry for group tour drivers with A1 driving licenses; free entry for retired officials from Suzhou with valid identification and one accompanying person; free entry for labor models with valid identification from the Suzhou Federation of Trade Unions and Wujiang District Labor Model Association; free entry for firefighters with valid identification; free entry for disabled military personnel and martyrs’ families with valid identification from the Jiangsu Provincial Civil Affairs Department; and free entry for blood donors with valid identification from the Jiangsu Blood Donation Joint Conference Office.
Blood donors in Wujiang District who have won the National Voluntary Blood Donation Award and those who have voluntarily donated hematopoietic stem cells are awarded the ‘Voluntary Blood Donation Charity Card’, which grants them free access. Individuals who have acted bravely in the face of danger: holders of the ‘Jiangsu Province Bravery Certificate’ issued by the Jiangsu Province Bravery Reward and Protection Committee Office, are also entitled to free entry.
环卫工人荣誉证书 holders: Residents of Suzhou city with a sanitation worker honor certificate can enter for free after binding their ID card at the ticket hall. 苏州市医务人员: On China Physician’s Day (August 19th) and International Nurses Day (May 12th), medical personnel in Suzhou can enjoy free entry for seven days following these dates (August 19th to August 25th, May 12th to May 18th). Free preferential treatment card holders: Veterans preferential treatment cards, and preferential treatment cards for the families of martyrs, military personnel who died in the line of duty, and deceased military personnel can enter for free with valid identification. Additional information: 1. All age-related document checks require the actual age in full years, months, and days. 2. Special individuals enjoying free or discounted tickets to the scenic spot must present valid documents upon entry. The above information is for reference only, and the specific details are subject to the public notice of the scenic spot. Service facilities: Parking lot: [North Town Parking Lot] Reference price: ¥10 per time; Address: Left side of the entrance to Chongben Road in the ancient town; Spaces: 320. WIFI: Account: Tongli; Password: No password required; Coverage: Scenic spot visitor service center. Mobile phone charging: The scenic spot provides power bank services at the visitor service center and ticket hall, free for the first half hour, then ¥1 per hour. Luggage storage: Reference price: Free with ticket; Address: Visitor center. Scenic spot explanation: The scenic spot provides guided tour services. The ticket center/visitor service center offers manual guided services. Cost: 1.5 hours for 3 spots ¥120 (Chinese) / ¥160 (English). Scenic spots offer QR code explanation services. Cost: Free. Stroller rental: Reference price: Free rental with park admission ticket; Address: Visitor center. Restrooms: There are multiple restrooms in Tongli Ancient Town, located near each small scenic spot with clear signs. Nursing rooms: Address: Nursing rooms are located on Xiaochuan Road. Dining: There are multiple restaurants in Tongli Ancient Town, distributed near the scenic spot with clear signs. Alipay/WeChat Pay are accepted. Vending machines: There are multiple vending machines in Tongli Ancient Town, distributed near the Tuisixi Square. Alipay/WeChat Pay are not accepted. Convenience stores: There is a convenience store near Tuisixi Square in Tongli Ancient Town, where Alipay/WeChat Pay are accepted.
