Tongli is a Chinese town that sits on the periphery of Suzhou, a prominent city famous for its classical gardens. Tongli’s own stake in tourism stems from its network of canals used for getting around.
Suzhou is a well-established UNESCO World Heritage site, but Tongli has recently been added to the list of tentative sites. While the nostalgic canals are the main attraction in Tongli, there are several other attractions and classical gardens.
Several museums are also found here. These cover a range of subjects from local history to sexuality. Most visitors spend the day ducking into one or two museums and chartering a boat along the waterways before settling into a canal-side restaurant for a laid-back dinner.
Getting There & Away
Most visitors travel to Tongli via Suzhou, a 30-minute drive away. But the nearest major airport and gateway to the city is Shanghai, 65 miles from Tongli. Buses connect to and from Shanghai in 2 hours, while trains are available for transport between Suzhou and Shanghai.
Things to Do
Tongli Attractions
- 1- Gengle Residence
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This classic ming dynasty residence was said to be so comfortable that its original occupant seldom set foot outside and eventually became a hermit.
- Garden of Retreat and Reflection
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Tongli’s foremost classical garden was built in the late 19th century and enjoys favorable status with unesco.
- Three Bridges
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In all there are 49 bridges spanning tongli’s canals, but these three (taiping, changqing and siben) are especially noteworthy for their age and elegance.