Secret Tips: 9 Things To Know Before Visiting Tongli Water Town in Suzhou

If you’re gearing up for a journey to China and want to savor the famous poetic scenes of Jiangnan, don’t overlook Tongli Water Town in Suzhou. While Zhouzhuang often steals the spotlight as the #1 water town in the region, Tongli offers a more tranquil and authentic experience.

When I first visited Tongli Water Town in April 2019, I had an amazing time, but then I quickly realized there were a few things I wish I had known beforehand to make the experience even more memorable. That’s why I’m sharing these tips with you—so you can make the most of your visit and enjoy Tongli Water Town to the fullest. Here’s everything you need to know before you go!

1. Why Tongli Water Town in Suzhou?

While Zhouzhuang is frequently hailed as the most picturesque water town in Suzhou, Tongli Water Town offers several compelling reasons to consider it for your visit:

• Less crowded: Tongli is generally less congested than Zhouzhuang, which means fewer tour buses and a more relaxed atmosphere.
• Authentic local feel: The town has more local residents, giving it a more genuine, lived-in ambiance.
• Proximity to Suzhou: Located closer to Suzhou’s downtown area, Tongli is easier to access for a day trip.
• Impressive scenery: While it might be slightly less renowned than Zhouzhuang, Tongli is still one of the most beautiful water towns in the region, especially for visitors seeking a quieter, more immersive experience.

2. How to Get to Tongli Water Town

From Suzhou, you can take a train to Tongli Station and then take bus number 725 to the town’s entrance. That was what we did, but then we discovered it would be much simpler to take a direct bus from Suzhou Station to Tongli Water Town.

If you travel from Shanghai, the best option perhaps is to take a bus or train directly to Suzhou Main Station before heading for Tongli. If you don’t want too many transfers, there are also direct buses from Shanghai to Tongli Water Town that depart daily from Shanghai Stadium (No. 666 Tianyueqiao Road, Xuhui District). However, there are limited departures throughout the day and only one return bus at 4 PM, which can make the schedule inconvenient.

On another note, if you’d rather skip the hassle of figuring out transportation, why not make things easy with a private one-day tour from Shanghai to Tongli Water Town? It includes round-trip transport and a knowledgeable guide who speaks English, French, or Japanese—so you can just sit back, relax, and soak up all the history and charm without worrying about logistics. It’s a time-saver and a great way to get deeper insights into the local culture that you might miss on your own.

3. Entrance Ticket to Tongli Water Town in Suzhou

While I heard from our taxi driver that you can enter Tongli Water Town for free via the north gate, I’d still recommend buying the one-day ticket fee of 100 Chinese Yuan (~US$14). This ticket also grants you access to 9 attractions inside the town.

You can buy entrance tickets to Tongli Water Town online or at the entrance gate. The ticket counter is open from 7:30 AM to 5 PM, so if you arrive outside these hours, you’re in luck—free entry! The ticket already includes entrance to some other notable landmarks inside Tongli Water Town, such as Tuisi Garden, Pearl Tower, Songshiwu Garden, Chongben Hall, Jiayin Hall, Gengletang, and Luoxingzhou.

Upon arrival, you might find the walk from the entrance to the waterways a bit lengthy. To save time and energy, consider using one of the small electronic “taxis” available for a small fee to transport you closer to the heart of the town.

4. Best Time to Visit Tongli Water Town in Suzhou

Timing your visit can make a significant difference:

• Spring (April/May): This is arguably the best time to visit, with mild weather and blooming flowers. However, avoid the Labour Day holiday period, as it can be very crowded.
• Fall (September/October): Another ideal time, with pleasant weather and fewer tourists. Be cautious around National Day (October 1st) as it attracts large crowds.
• Winter: Visiting in winter can be charming with fewer tourists and a crisp atmosphere. Just be prepared for chilly weather.

Avoid: Summer can be crowded with families on holiday and is also the rainy season, which might dampen your experience.

5. Things to do in Tongli Water Town

There’s so much to do in Tongli Water Town, from taking a boat tour along the scenic waterways to enjoying hot tea at a local shop while people-watching, or exploring historical landmarks with stunning traditional architecture. Here’s my blog post on 12 things to do in Tongli Water Town in Suzhou for first time visitors – check it out!

6. Cosplay

For a memorable experience, you can consider renting or buying a Hanfu (traditional Chinese costume) while visiting Tongli Water Town. The town’s scenic spots make for perfect backdrops for photoshoots!

In addition, you should rent costumes from shops near the entrance for better deals than those inside the town. Some shops also provide the full package including makeup, hairdo, photo props, and professional camera as well, starting from CNY100.

7. Food

Tongli Water Town offers a variety of local eateries where you can sample traditional dishes. Look out for local specialties such as steamed white fish, braised pork belly, and cherry-shaped pork. Most menus are written in Chinese with rough translations into English, but luckily they have example photos for us foreign visitors. During our visit, we tried the braised pork and white shrimps for lunch – they were ordinary but not too bad!

8. Get a Tour Guide if Possible

Looking back, one thing I wish I had done differently was hiring a Chinese tour guide during my visit to Tongli Water Town.

While the town’s beauty and photogenic spots were undeniable, I missed out on the deeper layers of its culture and history that a guide could have brought to life. A guide would have explained the significance of the traditional architecture, the customs of past residents, and the design philosophies behind the stunning gardens.

Beyond just capturing beautiful photos, I would have wanted to truly understand the rich stories and meanings woven into every corner of this town. Next time I’ll definitely get a tour guide with me!

9. Take a Boat Tour Along the Channels

One of the highlights of visiting Tongli Water Town is taking a boat tour along its picturesque canals. I actually did not take that tour while I was there due to the harsh midday sun, but I’d love to try next time!

Gliding through the serene waterways offers a unique perspective of the town’s charming architecture and scenic beauty. It’s a relaxing way to experience Tongli and capture some stunning photos.

Cost for 01 tour boat: ~150-180 CNY, riding for around 15 minutes

To sum up: 9 Things to Know Before Visiting Tongli Water Town in Suzhou

Thanks for reading until the end! I hope you found my tips useful to plan your upcoming trip to the beautiful Tongli Water Town in Suzhou.

If you have already visited Tongli Water Town and want to share your feedback, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!

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