Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
mosphere and weather-beaten charm. You can reach Tongli from either
Suzhou or Shanghai, but aim for a weekday visit.
The admission fee to the town includes access to the following sights, ex-
cept the Chinese Sex Culture Museum.
Sights & Activities
GENGLE TANG
( 9am-5.30pm)
There are three old residences that you'll pass at some
point, the best of which is this sprawling Ming-dynasty estate with 52 halls
spread out over five courtyards in the west of town.
Historic Building
PEARL PAGODA
( Zhenzhu Ta; 9am-5.30pm)
In the north of town is this pagoda, which
dates from the Qing dynasty but has recently been restored. Inside, you'll find
a large residential compound decorated with Qing-era antiques, an ancestral
hall, a garden and an opera stage.
Pagoda
TUISI GARDEN
( Tuisi Yuan; 9am-5.30pm)
This beautiful 19th-century garden in the east of
the old town delightfully translates as the 'Withdraw and Reflect Garden', so
named because it was a Qing government official's retirement home.
Gardens
Tours
Slow-moving
six-person boats
(¥90 for 25 minutes) ply the waters of Tongli's
canal system.
Sleeping & Eating
Guesthouses are plentiful, with basic rooms starting at about ¥100.
ZHENGFU CAOTANG $$$
( 6333 6358;
www.zfct.net
; 138 Mingqing Jie; 138 d ¥380-1380; )
The
place to stay in town. The 14 deluxe rooms and suites are all aesthetically set
with Qing-style furniture and antiques.
Boutique Hotel
