Tongli Water Town

Introduction 

Built during the Song Dynasty (960–1279), Tongli Water Town is located 18 kilometers from Suzhou and is the most preserved ancient water town in Jiangsu province maintaining affluent history as well as culture. The water town was rather inaccessible saving it from attacks and war damage meaning that most of its ancient structures are really well preserved. For instance, its scenic stone bridges, private gardens, temples, and houses are all still standing and were built hundreds of years ago during Ming and Qing dynasties.

Also best referred as the Venice of the east packed with culture, beautiful sprawling architecture and plenty of novelty, its streets echo stories and legends from back in the days with ancient bridges and house complexes. The town has a total of 38 gardens, 55 ancient bridges, 47 temples and hundreds of residences still retaining their traditional styles from the Ming and Qing Dynasties surrounded by 5 lakes from outside and divided by 15 rivers. 

Major attractions and activities to do on a visit

Tuisi Garden/ Retreat and reflection garden

The most famous location in the town is Tuisi Garden built between 1885 and 1887 by Ren Lansheng and designed by Yuan Long. The garden is complete with ancient architecture including small wooden buildings with typical Chinese roofing styles and a perfectly reflecting pond. Almost half of the garden is covered by water and all the buildings are situated close to the surface of the water. The atmosphere in the garden makes visitors get the feeling of an ancient charm from the historic wood building and delight of rockeries, pavilions, halls, pools, old trees, lovely flowers, adorable fishes and terraces.

The three Bridges 

The three Bridges here are the Taiping Bridge, Changqing Bridge and Jili Bridge which are a must-see while on a visit to Tongli water town. They were built in 1470 and were later rebuilt in 1704 each with its own unique features and meanings. Their shape forms the character “品” in Chinese which is a treasured place in the water town. On a visit here visiting can experience the tradition of crossing the three stone arc bridges important during weddings and special traditional ceremonies which signify luck and happiness to the locals. 

As a local custom, locals walk across the three bridges during happy events like during weddings. Locals also believe that walking across Taiping Bridge symbolizes good health throughout the year. For people who wish to benefit from prosperous business ventures, crossing Jili Bridge is considered a good start. Visitors who want an and evergreen life walk across Changqing Bridge.

Visitors can also float through the canals as they enjoy a relaxing, breathtaking and unforgettable gondola ride and also see locals participating in an ancient fish-catching cormorant method.

Fuguan Bridge 

Fuguan Bridge has a vivid stone carving known as the Fish Fossil in the Peach Blossom Wave. It is believed that it came to exist when a fish swam against the waves along a peach covered riverbank aiming to become an immortal dragon by jumping over the Dragon Gate. However, it saw a beautiful girl on the bridge as it was mid-air resulting to its head changing into a dragon head but the rest of its body remained as it was. 

Pu'an Bridge

Pu’an bridge is also known as the Little East Stream Bridge. It was constructed during the Ming Dynasty in the first year of 1506 during the time of Emperor Zhengde. It is the most representative bridge that reflects the local's diligence and eagerness to acquire knowledge.

Siben Bridge

Siben Bridge was constructed during the Southern Song Dynasty between 1127 and 1279. It is the oldest bridge in Tongli water town and still remains standing after being exposed to rain and wind for over 700 years.

Jiayin Hall

Jiayin hall was built in the first year of the Republic of China between1911 and 1949. It is famous for its articulate carvings of ancient Chinese classics. Jiayin hall has a gauze cap like beam decorations. Jiayin Hall has four courtyards with carved beams and painted rafters, which originally cost about 20,000 taels of silver. The skill put in to bring out the profound cultural connotations that the carvings highlight leave a great impression to every visitor that sets foot in this location. 

Congben Hall

Chongben Hall is located to the north of Changqing Bridge on Fuguan Street. It is side lined by stone-paved riverbanks and faces Jiayin Hall across the river in the east connecting Changqing Bridge in the west. The hall has exquisite sculptures and is considered to be a masterpiece of delicately carved handicraft belonging to the museum.

Gengle Hall

Built during the Ming Dynasty, the hall has seen the rise and fall of several dynasties and has been classified as one of the eight most famous attractions in Tongli. The hall has several interesting spots like the flower tree, figures, the eagle and the lion not forgetting the very clear pool with red fishes and exquisite winding stone bridges. 

Pearl tower

The famous Tower opens up to ancient houses and a wide water garden where you can go back in time where the heartfelt drama and love story between Chen and Fang Qing took place at the Pearl Tower and feel the beauty of the power of love above poverty. 

Ancient streets

There are a total of eight major streets in Tongli Ancient Town: Fuguan Street, Zhuxing Street, Yuxing Street, Nanxing Street, Xinzhen Street, Shangyuan Street, Sanyuan Street and Dongxi Street. All these streets are special in their own unique way. The streets in this water town bear an antique flavor. For instance, Mingqing street measuring 160 meters long still maintains its initial look from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The street is stone-paved and lined with stores on both sides such as snack stores, specialty stores and handicraft stores. 

Meeting Immortals

Every year on April 14th is Tongli's Meeting of the Immortals day where locals row on the boats taking short boat rides and stilt walk. 

Cruise 

Cruising in the numerous rivers and bridges of the water town is the most essential activity for most visitors. This way visitors can appreciate the towns antique beauty and the ancient architecture clusters from the Ming and Qing dynasties.

There is also a night cruise available every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night where visitors can enjoy the beauty of traditional stringed and woodwind music on the south of Yangtze River.