Why is Tongli Village special?
With its surface of the shape of rough circle, surrounded by the inner, middle and outer rivers, Tongli Village is a “Millennium eldest town” in Wujiang County on the outskirt of Suzhou.
Pretty and unsophisticated Tongli town boasts fertile paddy fields, rich resources and outstanding natives, thus crowned as “Small Oriental Venice”.
Tongli Village Highlight
Characterized by a large number of architectures in Ming and Qing dynasties, small bridges and outstanding celebrities, Tongli boasts 38 residences in Ming and Qing dynasties, 47 temples and ancestral halls and around 100 residences of local rich and powerful people as well as former residences of celebrities.
Tuisi Garden
Tuisi Garden, with the characteristics of garden of Qing dynasty, is a classic work of Jiangnan classical garden. The profound cultural connotation of Tuisi Garden, together with the long history of Tongli, makes tourists fall into reverie and enlightenment. In 2001, Tuisi Garden was listed as world’s Cultural Heritage.
Tuisi Garden boasts unique layout with a complete collection of pavilion, terrace, tower, porch, bridge, hall and house centered by pond. The compact and natural layout, plants and sceneries of four seasons contribute to a clear, secluded and bright Tuisi Garden.
Three Bridges
Three bridges indicate Taiping Bridge, Jili Bridge and Changqing Bridge which are arranged in a triangle at the convergences of three rivers, forming ring roads in the town.
Tongli people like walking across the three bridges. Such a custom is unknown to all when the custom of “walking across three bridges” started but, for Tongli people, three bridges symbolize auspiciousness and happiness.
Jiayin Hall
Jiayin Hall, established in 1912, is located in the front part of Youjia Lane in Zhuxing Street. The main architecture of Jiayin Hall, commonly referred to as “Gauze Cap Hall”, imitates the architectural style of Ming dynasty. It got such a name because the front beam is like the cap wing in Ming dynasty.