I thought Xitang Ancient Town was beautiful, but this ancient town is even more stunning…

There's no shortage of ancient towns in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, but this one is not crowded and absolutely stunning. You must visit! Tongli Ancient Town: A Two-Day, One-Night Itinerary｜Fun for Families, Friends, and Solo Travelers! As a Shanghai-based travel blogger, I've visited almost all the ancient towns in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai. Tongli, a Jiangnan water town only 1.5 hours from Shanghai, always surprises me. Whether you're traveling with family, friends, or on a solo healing trip, Tongli has something for everyone. Tongli Ancient Town 🚉Transportation: [One]By car: About 1.5 hours from Shanghai. Navigate to "Tongli Ancient Town." Parking is 20 yuan/day. [Two]By high-speed rail: Shanghai Hongqiao → Suzhou Station (30 mins), transfer to Subway Line 4 to Tongli Station (about 1 hour). [Three]By bus: Take the tourist bus from the north square of Suzhou Station (about 1.5 hours). 🍜Must-Try Food: [One]Zhuangyuan Ham: Tongli's signature dish! Recommended restaurant: "Jiutanzi Fantong." Tender and not greasy (68 yuan/serving). [Two]Wadi Su (crispy sock-shaped pastry): The freshly baked ones from "Lin Jia Puzi" near the Three Bridges are the best (10 yuan/bag). [Three]Qianshi Congee: Start your day with a warm, healthy bowl of congee. Locals love "Nanyuan Tea House." [Four]Milk tea: Beautiful, not too sweet, and delicious. Highly recommended. 📸Photo Spots: [One]Tuisi Garden: A World Cultural Heritage site. Wear a *hanfu* and take stunning reflection photos in the winding corridors. [Two]Three Bridges Scenic Area: Capture the lively atmosphere by sitting on the riverbank steps as the evening lights come on. [Three]Nanyuan Tea House: Enjoy a cup of Biluochun tea with a panoramic view of the water town from the second-floor window. 🎭Experiences: [One]Hand-rowed boat: 120 yuan/boat (up to 6 people). Listen to the boatwoman sing Wu dialect folk songs. [Two]Tie-dye workshop: Experience traditional crafts with your kids (50 yuan/person). Tongli's charm lies in its blend of local life and modern comforts. I revisited last week with my parents. My dad was captivated by the *pingtan* (storytelling and ballad singing in Suzhou dialect) at the tea house, while my mom became obsessed with collecting traditional pastry molds. As I sat alone in a riverside cafe writing this, I suddenly understood: Healing is simply finding your own rhythm in this thousand-year-old town.