Tongli, an ancient town in Suzhou

Author: Hua Zi

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The ancient town is fabulous in the rain, just like a lotus in the water. Walking on the pathways paved with blue stones, you can see plenty of white houses, which are fresh and antique. Both the road and the houses bear the marks of time.

A bridge is liying across a river.

Flags along the river wave in the wind, reminding people of the famous Chinese verse, ‘Villages along side the river, city walls hidden in the hill, wine flags fluttering in the breeze.’

Flags along the river.

Tongli not only has numerous bridges, but it also has varieties of snacks. You can have countless choices even at breakfast. Goose eggs, dumplings made of osmanthus flowers, small wontons, rose cakes, osmanthus cakes are some examples.

Mouth-watering wonton.

Rose cakes, which are unique in the waterside region.

Various foods for breakfast.

Booths that sell snacks can be seen everywhere. Even if you spend more than two days to try all the various local cuisines, you won’t taste them all.

Food booth in Tongli.

Although Tongli is along the river, it has trees everywhere. All the streets in the town were built along the water. Over 40 bridges, which were built in various styles and during various dynasties, connect the town as one. The most famous scenic spots are ‘one garden (The Retreat & Reflection Garden), two halls (Jiayin and Chongben Hall), three bridges (Taiping, Jili, Changqing Bridges)'. All these tourist attractions have an antique flavor. Only when you are south of the Yangtze River can you truly understand the beauty of water flowing beneath a bridge.

Dense trees along the river.

The best way of traveling around Tongli is by boat. Sitting in the small boat and traveling through the bridges, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and find peace in your heart. Traveling by water is just like wandering in a painting.

Boats in Tongli.

Cafes or stores along the river, which sell clothing and art work , are mostly owned by outsiders. The locals just hang around, taste teas and chat with friends along the river. They only need to collect the rents at home. What’s more, it’s often the locals who row the boats. They really enjoy their life here.

The local woman rowing the boat.

If water is the soul of Tongli, then bridges are its flesh and blood. They are the carriers of people’s dreams and happiness. Every household in the town has steps leading to the river - you can see people washing clothes and vegetables in the water.

A woman washes clothing in the river.

Osprey catching fish is a unique show in the ancient town. The ospreys are well trained by their owners and always perform on command. However, they can’t eat the fish because their owners fix their necks so that they can’t swallow their catch.

Osprey catching fish.

The owner takes a fish out of an osprey’s mouth.

Osprey catching fish.

When you are enjoying the fabulous scenery in the boat, people alongside the river are watching you, too. In a word, wonderful scenery is everywhere in Tongli.

Beautiful scenery seen from the boat.

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