Time of the visit: the 13th of nov.,2025

In the morning I took the metro from Suzhou to the last stop on line 4, Tongli. From there I wanted to take the 725 bus, which I just missed. The driver of a pirate taxi approached me and offered to take me to the old town for 20 yuan. We agreed on 18 yuan~2.20€.in 10 minutes I was near the south entrance of the old water town.

Tongli is part of a serial nomination that includes several other towns, each with a distinct character but sharing the core water-town principles.

The other ones are: · •Zhouzhuang

• Wuzhen
• Xitang: Famous for its covered corridors that run for miles along the canals, providing sheltered walkways.
• Nanxun
• Luzhi
• Zhujiajiao: (the closest to Shanghai)

They all have some characteristics in common like canals as streets, boats as transport, and ancient houses built directly over the water. They are all perfectly preserved examples of Ming and Qing dynasty water towns.

I only visited Tongli, one of the "Ancient Waterfront Towns south of the Yangtze River" on China's UNESCO Tentative List. It for certain presents a powerful case for Outstanding Universal Value. Its nomination is not based on individual monuments, but on the complete preservation of an entire human ecosystem shaped by water.

Tongli,with its preserved canals, bridges, and Ming-Qing architecture is an exceptional example of a planned water-town.Quite authentic and still not a dead disneyland despite its high number of Chinese tourists.Other nationalities are totally insignificant.

There is a checkpoint at the south entrance... Admission costs 100 yuan, about €12.50. A hefty fee.. I was quite outraged and not pleased with the high sum. But... at that point I hadn't understood the intelligent system behind it. The entrance ticket gives free access to all attractions, which are very well signposted in English and with a reference to the distance you need to reach them. You automatically follow all indications to the indicated attractions.Therefore you automatically have a plan at hands.A good way to get to know Tongli.

While the entire town is the attraction, several sites stand out as exceptional examples of its cultural and architectural wealth.

1. The Tuisi Garden - Retreat and Reflection Garden

It embodies the scholarly ideal of a retreat from official life for meditation and reflection, featuring pavilions, ponds, rockeries, and plants arranged with poetic intent.It didnt appeal to me,to be honest.I then walked back to the main square where the tourist information is.I shortly watched a female duo there dressed in historical garments giving a vocal piece on the historic stage there.

2. Pearl Tower (Zhenzhu Ta) Garden
Contrary to its name,it is not a tower for pearls but a sprawling, elegant residential garden complex. It is famous for a legendary love story and its beautiful halls, ponds, and rock gardens. The "Pearl Tower" itself is a small pagoda within the garden.An enchanting place where I had a coffee opposite the waterfall /pond inside the Pearl Garden contemplating looking at the scenery.. bewitching.There were very few visitors inside the garden. There is also a peacock garden inside the "Pearl Garden" where you can feed those animals. A wonderful garden which I truly liked.

3. Ancient Halls and Mansions like the

· Gengle Hall : A magnificent complex from the Qing Dynasty, showcasing the typical layout of a wealthy scholar-official's residence with three main halls and intricate woodcarvings which are quite impressive.
· Jiayin Hall : Another superb example of Ming-Qing residential architecture, known for its detailed and well-preserved wooden beam carvings depicting historical and mythological scenes.
· Chongben Hall: A large complex that illustrates the lifestyle of a prosperous merchant family, with separate areas for reception, living, and leisure.

There are other places as well which can be visited for free with the entrance tickets like the Taihu water conservancy building,some memorials and family houses.The Songshi Wu Garden was closed due to renovation work.

Despite everything, I have to mention that the true highlight is simply wandering the ancient flagstone pathways,crossing the countless stone bridges (Tongli has over 40), and probably taking a boat ride along the tranquil canals( I didn't as I didn't have the patience for it).This probably offers the most authentic experience of the "Venice of the East," viewing the whitewashed walls, black-tiled roofs, and hanging lanterns from the water perspective that defined life here for centuries. And dont miss the Chuanxin Lane alias the" clinking slate lane"..a serene,narrow and bewitching lane south of the Yuxin bridge.I walked through that lane twice.

I arrived at the ancient watertown around 11.00a.m and left for Suzhou around 7.00 p.m.

My thumps go up.

Today, the 16th of nov ,2025,I have visited Zhujiajiao, another ancient waterfront town near Shanghai...easy to reach by subway. I took the bus 1510 (1 yuan,cash,) from the subway station to the Ancient Town,but it is only a short walk away along a very pleasant way along a canal.Not really necessary to take a bus .

It's probably the most accessible major water town for a day trip, connected by the subway. This gives it a unique energy—a blend of ancient tranquility and the faint, modern pulse of the metropolis nearby. It's the water town for those who want a deep historical experience without traveling far from the city.Some of its canals feel broader and more open than the intimate, narrow streams in Tongli.This gives the town a slightly more spacious and grand feel in its central areas, making boat rides particularly scenic.Tongli is less curated and less expansive, offering a grittier, more authentic glimpse into canal life alongside its bewitching beauty. Zhujiajiao seamlessly blends its ancient past with its role as a recreational hub for modern Shanghai offering elegant urban cafes, chic bars, countless souvenir shops, restaurants and snack bars. You can listen to techno, Latino songs and Brazilian music, see a lot of foreign tourists and get angry about outrageous prices. Zhujiajiao is beautiful, incredibly beautiful, but very touristy. Even in the evenings, many cafes and restaurants are still open... very different than in Tongli.Shanghai'sVenice is entertaining,but can get crowded with the countless day trippers from Shanghai.Tongli is more authentic in many ways and far less touristy.Both waterfront towns have OUV....both have very different personalities...both are enchanting.