Tongli in Brief

The city of Tongli in Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province is situated between Lake Tai and Shanghai. More specifically, it is located about 10 kilomters west-northwest of the slightly larger city of Zhouzhuang and 180 kilometers south of Suzhou. Tongli is surrounded by five lakes: Jiuli, Nanxing, Pangshan, Yeze and, of course, Lake Tongli, and is crisscrossed by a network of canals that are fed by the confluence of three rivers. Most of the buildings in Tongli are situated along the waterways, hence the city's nickname as the Little Venice of the East.

There are numerous rivers and canals, 40 stone arch bridges and countless buildings in Tongli that date from the Ming (CE 1368-1644) and Qing (CE 1644-1911) Dynasty period, and as well, many famous Chinese artists and members of the literati of the same period made Tongli their home. The city is famous for its "flowing water and small bridges and houses", it's essence having once been captured in the following characterization: "one garden, two halls and three bridges". The "one garden" refers to Tuisi Garden, the "two halls" refers to Gengle and Gongben Mansions (sometimes called halls), and the "three bridges" refers to Taipeng, Jili, and Changqing Bridges. The most unique thing about Tongli is that it is built across a wide stretch at the confluence of three rivers, where there are a number of small islands, all of which are interlinked – and linked to the part of the city on the river's banks, via stone arch bridges. Because the bridges cross three rivers, they are called ternate bridges. Another difference between Tongli and some other so-called water towns (i.e., canal towns) is that in Tongli, the canals and the rows of houses are separated by streets. And Tongli water town is less crowded compared with other water towns like Zhuangzhuang or Wuzhen.

In 1981 Tongli Town was declared one of the thirteen national standard tour towns of the Taihu Lake region. In addition, in 1982 it was listed for protection as the standard provincial town of cultural interest in Jiangsu Province. Tongli is now a highly praised historical site and tourist resort and enjoys increasing popularity with travel enthusiasts

Main Attractions

Retreat and Reflection (Tuisi) Garden

Retreat and Reflection (Tuisi) Garden, built by the retired official Ren Lansheng during 1885 and 1887, is the most spectacular in Tongli. Its name is derived from an aphorism expressed in a very famous biography called Zuo Zhuan written by Zuo Qiuming in the Eastern Zhou period (770 BC - 221 BC):'Be loyal to the emperor when in officialdom; be meditative upon the previous faults while away from officialdom.' The ingenious design for Tuisi Garden conforms to the local landforms and conditions and covers about 700 square meters (one fifth acre). Compact and harmonious, the garden is in two parts. The residential area to the west consists of an outer house and inner house including the sedan hall, the tea hall, a main reception hall and two buildings forming the actual dwelling. The garden in the east has ponds, Marble Boats, waterside pavilions, halls, kiosks, verandas, rockeries and bridges. Together with flourishing trees and colorful flowers the garden greets visitors with its beauty and charm whatever the season.

Chinese Museum of Ancient Sex Culture

The Chinese Museum of Ancient Sex Culture was moved to Tongli Water Town from Shanghai in 2004. It is now located at a site of a Qing dynasty girls school in Tongli.

The Chinese Museum of Ancient Sex Culture consists of over 3,000 pieces collection, arranged chronologically and thematically.

Recommended Tours including the visit to Zhouzhuang:

Shanghai to Tongli One Day Tour

Shanghai and Suzhou Tour with Tongli

• From USD 1339 pp
  8 Days Golden Triangle China Tour
• From USD 956 pp
  Tour Code: CL-01
• Destinations: Beijing,Xi'an,Shanghai

• From USD 1839 pp
  10 Days Tour of All China Highlights
• From USD 1398 pp
  Tour Code: CL-02
• Destinations: Beijing,Xi'an,Guilin,Shanghai

• From USD 2009 pp
  9 Days Best of China with Glof Tour
• From USD 1666 pp
  Tour Code: GF-02
• Destinations: Beijing,Xi'an,Shanghai

• From USD 2449 pp
  12 Days Beijing-Xian-Lhasa-Shanghai
• From USD 1899 pp
  Tour Code: XZ-01
• Destinations: Beijing,Xi'an,Lhasa,Shanghai

• From USD 2169 pp
  11 Day Classic China Tour with Yangtze Cruise
• From USD 1519 pp
  Tour Code: YZ-01
• Destinations: Beijing,Xi'an,Yangtze River,Shanghai