4. A Poetic Water Town: A Slow Journey Through Tongli
Morning: Tuisi Garden - Lize Girls' School - Ancient Opera Stage - Wang Shao'ao Memorial Hall
- Tuisi Garden: As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Tuisi Garden is the essence of Tongli Ancient Town. Known for its delicate design and well-arranged pavilions, the garden's architecture harmoniously blends with natural landscapes, offering picturesque views at every turn. Recommended visiting time: 1.5-2 hours.
- Lize Girls' School: Featuring typical Republic of China-era architecture, this building combines Chinese and Western elements with an exquisite layout and tranquil environment. It showcases the educational style and cultural atmosphere of the Republican period. Perfect for photos and experiencing historical charm. Visiting time: about 0.5 hours.
- Ancient Opera Stage: Located in the town center, it regularly features traditional opera performances like Kunqu Opera and Pingtan. Visitors can enjoy authentic Jiangnan opera arts and immerse themselves in the rich cultural atmosphere. Visiting time: 0.5-1 hour, depending on performance schedules.
- Wang Shao'ao Memorial Hall: Located at 35 Fuguan Street, covering 500 square meters, this memorial hall honors Wang Shao'ao's spirit through artifacts, paintings, and photographs showcasing his achievements. Visitors can explore Tongli's historical and cultural heritage. Visiting time: 0.5-1 hour.
Noon: Dining
- Recommended restaurants: Visit restaurants near Ming-Qing Street or Zhongchuan Road, such as "Tongli Renjia" or "Water Town Restaurant" to taste Tongli specialties like Zhuangyuan Pork Knuckle, Wadi Su (sock-bottom pastry), Gordon Euryale Cake, Min Pancake, and Malt Flatbread.
Afternoon: Pearl Pagoda Scenic Garden - Songshi Enlightenment Garden - Taihu Water Conservancy Exhibition Hall - Chongben Hall - Jiayin Hall - Family Values Museum - Three Bridges
- Pearl Pagoda Scenic Garden: Also known as Chen Imperial Censor's Mansion, consisting of Chen Family Memorial Arch and Ancestral Hall, this is the origin of the "Pearl Pagoda" love story. Features exquisite architecture and clever layout. Visiting time: about 1 hour.
- Songshi Enlightenment Garden: Home to the "Songping Stone Exhibition Hall," adjacent to Jili, Taiping, and Changqing bridges. Focused on decoding ancient texts and life enlightenment, it displays over 1,200 Songping stone plate paintings. Visiting time: 0.5-1 hour.
- Taihu Water Conservancy Exhibition Hall: Originally the Taihu Water Control Office established in 1730 during the Yongzheng period. Features four exhibition sections including "Taihu Millennium" and "Smart Water Conservancy," systematically displaying the water management history of Taihu Basin through photos and artifacts. Visiting time: 0.5-1 hour.
- Chongben Hall: Located at the north end of Changqing Bridge on Fuguan Street, built in 1912. Features over 100 wood carvings, including complete stories from "Romance of the West Chamber" and "Twelve Beauties of Jinling." Now serves as a specialized museum for Jiangnan water town wedding customs. Visiting time: 0.5-1 hour.
- Jiayin Hall: Built during the Republic period with main architecture modeled after Ming Dynasty style, commonly known as "Official's Hat Hall." Features carved scenes from "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and "Hidden Eight Immortals" bas-reliefs, showcasing exquisite Jiangnan architecture. Visiting time: about 0.5 hours.
- Family Values Museum: Learn about Tongli's traditional family values and cultural heritage, experiencing the town's rich cultural and humanistic spirit. Visiting time: about 0.5 hours.
- Three Bridges: Comprising Taiping Bridge, Jili Bridge, and Changqing Bridge, arranged in a triangular pattern at the intersection of three rivers. Local custom of "crossing three bridges" symbolizes peace, prosperity, and longevity. Visitors can experience local folk culture here. Visiting time: about 0.5 hours.
Evening: Gengle Hall - Chuanxin Lane - Nanyuan Tea House
- Gengle Hall: Located in the middle section of Lujia Dam, built by Ming Dynasty scholar Zhu Xiang. Features traditional Ming-Qing architecture with front house and back garden layout, including lotus pond, three-curved bridge, and Three Friends Pavilion. Visiting time: about 1 hour.
- Chuanxin Lane: A characteristic narrow, long alley in Tongli Ancient Town, flanked by ancient buildings. Walking through feels like stepping back in time. Visiting time: about 0.5 hours.
- Nanyuan Tea House: Built during the Qing Dynasty, originally named "Fu'an Tea House." Besides serving various teas and snacks, it features Jiangnan silk and bamboo music, storytelling, and Pingtan performances. Visitors can enjoy tea while watching performances, experiencing leisurely water town life. Visiting time: about 1 hour.
Night: Luoxing Island
- Luoxing Island: A small island in Tongli Lake combining Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Accessible by boat, the island appears particularly serene and mysterious at night under the lights. Visitors can enjoy night views of Tongli Lake. Visiting time: about 1 hour.