Tongli Water Town: Day Trip from Shanghai and Suzhou

If you are looking for the “authentic China,” then a day trip from Shanghai or Suzhou to the water town of Tongli is exactly what you need. Tongli is the most accessible water town from Suzhou, making it a particularly convenient choice. In this article, I’ll take you through the quiet canals, hidden alleys, and magnificent gardens of Tongli. I’ll show you why this water town definitely belongs on your China travel bucket list!

An Authentic Water Town with a Thousand-Year History

Tongli (同里, Tónglǐ) looks back on over 1,000 years of history, dating all the way back to the Song Dynasty. Since the town was historically only accessible by boat, it was spared from many wars and social upheavals. This made it a perfect sanctuary for government officials and wealthy merchants who enjoyed their retirement here in seclusion. As a result, great wealth and a deep cultural heritage accumulated within this small water town.

Today, the ancient town is divided into seven small islands separated by fifteen rivers and reconnected by forty-nine historic bridges. This unique layout gives Tongli an incomparable, village-like charm. Although it is easy to reach from Suzhou, it has retained an authenticity that is often missing in other, more commercialized water towns.

My personal highlight was exploring the canals on foot. The entire old town is a pedestrian zone. As soon as you leave the main paths and turn into the narrow side alleys, you immerse yourself in another world. Here, you can see residents washing vegetables in the canal, playing cards on their porches, or tending to small vegetable gardens right by the water. This tranquility, away from the tourist crowds, is what makes Tongli so special for me.

Is a Day Trip to Tongli Water Town Right for You? My Rating:

Here is a quick overview to help you decide if a day trip from Shanghai or Suzhou to the water town of Tongli is for you:

The Gardens of Tongli: World Heritage at Your Fingertips

The gardens here can easily compete with the famous sites in Suzhou, yet they are often much less crowded. If you want to see more of Suzhou itself, I have summarized the best sights in Suzhou for you in this article.

The Tuisi Garden (退思园, Tuìsī Yuán): This “Garden of Reflection” was built between 1885 and 1887 by Ren Lansheng, an official who was dismissed from office due to corruption. The estate was designed in the simple but elegant style of the late Qing Dynasty and is half-covered by water. Interestingly, the layout is non-linear, unlike most Chinese residences. Typically, you enter a Chinese estate through a front hall and move linearly deeper into the center toward the owner’s grand main living quarters—the Forbidden City in Beijing follows this exact principle. In the Tuisi Garden, however, you take an atypical turn after the first buildings—a symbol of the owner’s “reflection” on his career. Personally, I found the garden so magnificent that the story of repentance seems more like a clever PR strategy to showcase wealth. Since 2001, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site (external link).

The Pearl Tower (珍珠塔, Zhēnzhū Tǎ): Don’t let the name fool you: there is no tower here! The name comes from a famous Chinese opera that tells a heart-wrenching love story. It centers on the poor scholar Fang Qing and the wealthy Chen Cui’e. Since Fang was poor, marriage seemed impossible—but Chen believed in his talent. She secretly gave him a small, precious pagoda made of pearls so he could finance his journey to take the imperial civil service exams. The garden in Tongli aims to recreate the setting of this romantic gesture. In fact, you’ll find a massive Ming-era estate here with a fantastic garden, pavilions, and even an artificial waterfall. Walking through this magnificent complex today, it is precisely this connection between historic architecture and the legend of love, status, and hope that gives the place its special, almost poetic atmosphere. My personal highlight was a small café in one of the pavilions that roasts its own beans. Enjoying a freshly prepared cappuccino with a view of the garden artistry was pure relaxation.

Gengle Hall (耕乐堂, Gēnglè Táng): Gengle Hall, which translates to “Hall of Happy Farming,” dates back to the Ming Dynasty and is a fine example of the region’s traditional architecture. The standout feature here is the classic layout: representative living buildings in the front, followed by a private garden in the rear.

Chongben Hall (崇本堂, Chóngběn Táng): Although Chongben Hall is modest in size, it is architecturally very well-thought-out. Today, it houses the Tongli Wedding Customs Museum. Here, you can dive deep into the traditions of the Ming and Qing Dynasties: from magnificent bridal dresses and dowries to original marriage contracts and matchmaking tools, the ceremonies of the 19th century are brought to life.

The Three Bridges (三桥, Sān Qiáo): The Taiping Bridge (太平桥, Tàipíng Qiáo), Jili Bridge (吉利桥, Jílì Qiáo), and Changqing Bridge (长庆桥, Chángqìng Qiáo) form the heart of Tongli. Locals consider it a special good-luck ritual to cross all three bridges in a single round to ensure health, prosperity, and happiness for the coming year.

Luoxing Island (罗星洲, Luóxīng Zhōu): For nature lovers and those seeking peace, a detour to nearby Luoxing Island is a great option. The island is picturesquely situated in the middle of a lake and can only be reached by a short boat ride. While the old town of Tongli charms with its narrow alleys, Luoxing Island offers wide views of the glittering water, beautiful temple complexes, and an almost meditative silence. Especially in spring and summer, when the lotus flowers bloom, this place is a green oasis that provides a perfect contrast to the bustling activity in the alleys of the water town.

Boat Trip: As in many other water towns, boat tours are offered in Tongli. A boat costs a flat rate of 120 – 150 CNY depending on the season and can accommodate up to six people. The trip takes about 30 minutes. The route first leads through quiet outer districts and then returns to the old town via the main canal. Since there are no individual tickets, it’s especially worth it if you are traveling in a group.

Everything for Planning Your Stay

Here is all the important information for planning your day trip from Shanghai or Suzhou to Tongli Water Town at a glance:

• Admission: Combo-ticket for all gardens: 100 RMB (approx. €12.50). You can buy the ticket either at the machines at the old town entrance or book it in advance via Trip.com (external affiliate link). Online booking at least one day in advance often comes with a 20% discount.
• Opening Hours: The gardens are open from 07:30 to 17:30. The town itself is accessible at all times.
• Duration: Plan at least 3 hours; for a detailed tour, closer to 6 hours.
• Tip: Definitely bring mosquito repellent in the summer!

Getting to the Water Town from Shanghai

A day trip from Shanghai is logistically very easy. Here are the best options:

• Comfort Option: Via Didi (Chinese Uber) directly from Shanghai. The 86 km trip takes about 90 minutes and costs roughly 300–350 CNY (approx. €40–45).
• Recommendation (High-Speed Train to Suzhou): Another option is taking the high-speed train to Suzhou. Make sure to buy a ticket to Suzhou Station, Suzhou Industrial Park, or Kunshan, as these are closest to Tongli. You can buy train tickets via Trip.com (external affiliate link). I’ve also put together a guide for traveling by train in China.

Getting to the Water Town from Suzhou

• Comfort Option: Via Didi directly from Suzhou. The trip takes about 45 minutes and costs roughly 70 CNY (approx. €9).
• Budget Option: The cheapest way is taking Metro Line 4 to Tongli Station (approx. 70 min) followed by a short Didi ride to the old town entrance (approx. 15 RMB, €2).

For more info on getting to Suzhou and where to stay, check out my separate article on planning your independent trip to Suzhou.

Staying Overnight in Tongli Water Town

In my view, it is highly recommended to stay one night directly in the water town. When the day tourists have left and the lanterns along the canals begin to glow, Tongli unfolds a magic all its own. Plus, you’ll have the water town all to yourself in the early morning.

In Tongli, you have a wide selection of local and beautifully designed hotels. For a comfortable stay, I recommend the Tongli Lanyuan Hotel (external affiliate link). A more affordable yet very good choice is the Hanse Shanfang River Hotel (external affiliate link).

My Personal Conclusion after a Day Trip to Tongli Water Town

Tongli absolutely thrilled me on my trip in April 2026. On one hand, the practical combo-ticket gives you access to World Heritage gardens that rival the famous sites of Suzhou. On the other hand, despite its accessibility, Tongli retains a wonderful village-like and authentic charm. Whether as a relaxed day trip from Shanghai or an overnight stop on your journey through China—Tongli Water Town offers a piece of old China that is becoming increasingly rare to find.

Have you ever been to a Chinese water town, or are you currently planning your trip? Let me know in the comments—I look forward to hearing from you!