Suzhou Tongli Water Town: A Refreshing Day Away From Shanghai – A Personal Review

So, if you’re feeling like you want a break from Shanghai’s fast pace, you might just find that Tongli Water Town is almost like a breath of fresh air. I went there recently and thought it would be good to share what the experience was like, what you should maybe keep an eye out for, and honestly, just some general tips if you are planning your own quick escape. Really, I hope this review is helpful for you in deciding whether it is for you.

Why Tongli Water Town? A Glimpse into History and Culture

You see, Tongli isn’t just another pretty place, so it is somewhere soaked in quite a bit of history, too it’s almost like stepping back in time. That’s because this place boasts architecture dating back centuries; you’ll discover ancient bridges and buildings and peaceful canals. Back in the day – the Song Dynasty actually – Tongli was named Fu Tucun, then changed a couple of times, before finally sticking with Tongli in 1725, according to local records anyway.

Plus, I thought you’d find that it’s considered one of the six ancient towns of the Jiangnan region. Which you see is special; this place provides a peek into what old China was all about, you know? It’s ideal if you like the idea of wandering around and seeing historical sights with some peace. Seriously, I enjoyed watching people gently go about their business near waterways that they, and their families, probably depended on for hundreds of years, more or less.

Getting There: Shanghai to Tongli

Alright, the trip to Tongli, from Shanghai at least, is that it’s reasonably easy. You’ll very probably want to hop on a high-speed train to Suzhou. This tends to be pretty quick, usually only half an hour or so. It’s quite reliable, I must say. Then, you’re able to get a local bus or a taxi straight to Tongli from the Suzhou train station. The bus might take an hour, but the taxi will be much faster, very. The buses are cheap, though, you know? Make certain you have your destination written in Chinese if you choose to get a cab; that could be handy, you see.

If you really are organized, anyway, you could just book a guided tour from Shanghai that covers all the transportation, just a little. So then you wouldn’t have to be concerned about figuring stuff out on your own. You should see that some folks find that helpful. It just depends how adventurous you feel like being and also, it depends if you care about budgets. Tours can sometimes be pretty expensive for what you get, could be.

A Stroll Through Tongli: Top Sights

When you are actually there in Tongli, anyway, you’ll find there are certain spots you shouldn’t miss. Let’s go over the spots, alright? The first thing I might recommend is that you see Tuisi Garden. Arguably, you’ll probably find that this is just the highlight, you see? Tuisi Garden literally means “thinking of retreat,” it’s such a peaceful spot that you can see. It’s beautiful with awesome ponds, halls, and little bridges, too it’s almost an oasis. Seriously, I could have stayed there all day.

Also, there’s the Three Bridges. This includes the Taiping, Jili, and Changqing Bridges. Now, if you walk across all of the bridges, locals are telling that you ensure good fortune or something! That would be really nice, right? After that you have the Pearl Tower, which is a story relating to a high court official. Basically, the scenic tower adds a nice vibe to your strolling, which, after all, you need to do after that walk!

Next on your itinerary should definitely be the Jiayin Hall, that is, should you have some time available to your strolling needs. Built by a local rich dude (called Pang Yuan) during the early years of the Republic of China. A little walk in the Hall will make you dive back into the luxurious lives of the rich, really. You will most definitely find ancient furniture pieces and carvings with cultural representation. Worth it, that!

What to Eat: Tongli’s Local Flavors

I thought, whilst you’re visiting Tongli, you have to see if you can sample some local food. Usually, this is such a big part of the fun. First off, I recommend getting some Taihu Lake whitefish; they cook it super fresh and tasty around there, almost everywhere you go, too. This dish comes directly from the waters close by and locals have many options on how to cook it. Basically, this should definitely be on your to-eat list, right after strolling around.

Then, there’s the local take on pork. You might find that stewed pork is done differently in Tongli. Usually, you know, it’s sweeter than what I was used to, which I felt worked really well. You should look at trying that from street vendors or restaurants there, just a little.

Finally, if you are up for that, you can grab a few Wansan hooves, these guys being named after the renowned richest dude of Jiangnan, which could be cool too. Don’t forget to try out some local teas at the tea houses. So, sitting down watching life go by the water and enjoy a great local tea. Can it be any better?

Tips for a Smooth Trip

Anyway, to make sure everything runs easily, alright, I thought I’d give you a few extra tips. Really, try to visit during the week if you get the chance. That would allow you to prevent loads of tourist crowds that often happen during the weekend. So it makes walking around way nicer.

You’ll probably find it handy to take a phrasebook or translator app with you. Although many individuals do communicate in English these days, out in these locations, very little folks will, typically. You should, in any case, learn a little of the local language, as that will improve your overall mood, which is cool.

Also, and lastly, I found that you ought to dress comfortably. Really, you will definitely do lots of walking, you see. Do you wear great walking shoes and loose attire as you soak in the sites?

You see, with so many options, there has to be something here that meets everyone’s demands for touring spots. Are there other things worth doing there, though? Is one day really enough to go over every possibility available for having fun there?

Summary: My Final Say

At the end of the day, honestly, taking a day-trip out from Shanghai into Suzhou, through Tongli, seemed a welcome break. So that trip isn’t too difficult or that far and the little town is cool, packed with things. Is it an incredible escape from the stresses of modern-day metropolitan lifestyle? Basically, I think that this is just a great option for experiencing the tranquil traditional lifestyle.

So, if you would ask me: is it worth that? Absolutely. Should you visit? In any case, just make sure you are prepared to explore! You just may find something worth remembering for many, very years!

• Travel: Quick train ride from Shanghai to Suzhou, then bus or taxi to Tongli.
• Main Attractions: The peaceful Tuisi Garden, the ancient Three Bridges.
• Food to try: New tastes and traditional stewed Taihu Lake’s whitefish.
• Time to Go: If you are flexible, choose the off-peak times for fewer individuals.