Tongli Ancient Town Travel Guide: Ancient Charm and Modernity Complement Each Other

　　Tongli Ancient Town is located in Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China. It was built in the early Shaoxing period of the Southern Song Dynasty (1131-1162), covers an area of 133.15 square kilometers, and is a national AAAAA-level ancient town scenic spot. Tongli Ancient Town is adjacent to Taihu Lake, 18 kilometers away from Suzhou City, with 15 interconnected rivers connected by 49 stone bridges, and is known as the "Venice of the East". The Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings preserved in the ancient town cover an area of 112,000 square meters. The main attractions include Ming and Qing Street, Nanyuan Tea House, Chen Qubing's Former Residence, Jiayin Hall, Tuisi Garden, Wang Shao'ao Memorial Hall, Songshi Wuyuan, Sanqiao, etc.

　　1. Ticket Information

　　The combined ticket price of Tongli Ancient Town is 100 yuan, including Tuisi Garden, Pearl Tower, Songshi Wuyuan, Taihu Water Conservancy Exhibition Hall, Chongben Hall, Jiayin Hall, Gengle Hall, Luoxingzhou and other attractions. Preferential policies include free or discounted admission for specific groups of people. For example, children under 1.4 meters in height, seniors over 70 years old, and active military personnel can enter for free.

　　2. Opening hours

　　Tongli Ancient Town is open from 7:30 to 17:30 every day. The night tour time is from 18:30 to 21:00 every Friday to Sunday.

　　3. Transportation guide

　　The main way to reach Tongli Ancient Town is to arrive in Suzhou first, and then take a bus or subway. There are direct buses to Tongli from Suzhou Railway Station, Suzhou South Bus Station, and Suzhou Wuxian Bus Station. In addition, take Metro Line 4 to the terminal Tongli Station, then take Bus No. 725 or buy tickets to the ancient town at the tourist distribution center in the subway station and take a free shuttle bus to Tongli Ancient Town.

　　4. Tour route

　　The recommended tour route is: Retreat and Reflection Garden (World Cultural Heritage Site) → Rowing Boat → Wang Shaoluo Memorial Hall (experience the profound cultural heritage of Tongli). Afternoon: Pearl Tower Scenic Spot (Imperial Censor's Mansion) → Three Bridges Scenic Spot (Enjoy the Water Village Style) → Chongben Hall (Merchants) → Jiayin Hall (Scholars) → Gengle Hall (Enjoy Ming-style House Garden) → Nanyuan Teahouse (Tea Tasting) → Luoxingzhou (Buddhist Kingdom in the Water).

　　5. Food Recommendation

　　Tongli's snacks are very famous. It is recommended to try local specialties such as socks bottom pastry, champion's pig's trotters, and Euryale cake. In addition, you can also taste Jiangnan-style sweet-scented osmanthus dumplings and malt pancakes.

　　6. Scenic Spot Recommendation

　　Tongli Ancient Town has many attractions worth visiting, including Tuisi Garden, Three Bridges, Chongben Hall, Jiayin Hall, Gengle Hall, etc. Tuisi Garden is a world cultural heritage site, famous for its exquisite garden landscape. The Three Bridges refer to Taiping Bridge, Jili Bridge and Changqing Bridge, which are the iconic landscapes of Tongli Ancient Town.

　　7. Shopping Guide

　　In Tongli Ancient Town, you can buy local specialties such as Shangjing Baijiu, Gorgon Fruit, Gorgon Fruit Cake and Tongli Jiuniang Cake. In addition, there are many shops on Ming and Qing Street selling handmade paintings, fans, silk, purple clay teapots and ethnic handicrafts.