[Tongli National Wetland Park·Must-see Guide]

Tongli National Wetland Park Travel Guide | Small Secret Places + Jiangnan Ancient Charm + Money-Saving Tours 📍Address: Northeast of Tongli Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou City 🎫Tickets: Free (must be booked in advance on the official platform) ⏰Business hours: 9:00-17:00 (admission stops at 16:30) 🚗Transportation: Self-driving: Navigate to Tongli National Wetland Park, about 40 minutes from Suzhou city. Bus: Take Suzhou Metro Line 4 to Tongli Station, then transfer to Bus No. 725 to Tongli National Wetland Park Station. 🌿Recommended ways to play in the wetland park Hiking in the Secret Land of Metasequoia A must-see in autumn! The kilometer-long Metasequoia plank road is transformed into a "red-brown forest tunnel", allowing you to take forest-themed photos at will. In summer, the forest is full of greenery and it is a cool place to escape the heat. You may occasionally come across small animals such as egrets and squirrels. Bird Watching Paradise Science Gallery There are more than 200 species of birds in the wetland park. Bring a telescope to the bird watching tower (there are the most migratory birds in autumn and winter). The "Nature Classroom" is recommended for parent-child tours. The interactive devices allow children to learn ecological knowledge while playing. Cruise through the reed marshes 50 yuan/person (about 30 minutes), rowing boats through the water forest, listening to the boat girl humming Wu dialect folk songs. Small check-in point Zhiqing Art Commune: retro and nostalgic style, brick wall slogans + old object exhibition. Herb Garden: Herb Garden, Lotus Pond Moonlight Trail, the flowers in spring and summer are super healing. [Nearby attractions: 15 minutes walk or drive] Tongli Ancient Town (about 5 kilometers from the Wetland Park) Tickets: 100 yuan (it is recommended to buy a combined ticket, including Retreat and Reflection Garden and other attractions) Must Play: Tuisi Garden: a world cultural heritage and a representative work of Jiangnan gardens in the late Qing Dynasty. Three Bridges Scenic Area: Taiping Bridge, Jili Bridge, and Changqing Bridge, experience the traditional custom of "walking across three bridges". Free play: Free entry to the ancient town before 8 am/after 5 pm, stroll around the Ming and Qing streets and eat snacks. Xiaodianhu Village (next to the Wetland Park) The original ecological water village, white walls, black tiles and rice field scenery is suitable for cycling or taking pastoral photos. 🍜【Nearby delicacies, 30 yuan per person】 Must-eats in Tongli Ancient Town Champion Pig’s Pig’s Trotter: NT$40/piece, soft, sweet and salty, recommended is “Lin’s Shop”. Sock-bottom crisps: 2 yuan/piece, crispy with pepper and salt, the most delicious when freshly baked by old ladies on the streets of ancient towns. Green dumplings: 5 yuan/piece, glutinous rice dumplings made with grass juice, with sweet and non-greasy red bean paste filling. Rice wine dumplings: 15 yuan/bowl, sweet osmanthus fragrance + glutinous dumplings, a stomach-warming dessert. Restaurants recommended by locals Jiutanzi Fantong (in the ancient town): 50 yuan per person, secret rice wine + meat tied with straw, very cost-effective. Sanqiao Restaurant: With a river view, steamed white fish and fried shrimp with water chestnuts are must-order dishes. 🏡【Accommodation recommendation·Live in Jiangnan for 100 yuan per person】 Tongli Ancient Town Qingpu Inn (the first choice for art lovers): a renovation of an old house, including breakfast and afternoon tea, 150 yuan per person in the off-season. Huajiantang·Lize Girls' School: A campus theme in the style of the Republic of China, with a super beautiful courtyard. There are discounts for booking in advance. Around the Wetland Park Tongli Lake Resort (slightly higher budget): Lake view rooms include wetland park tickets, suitable for family travel. Villagers’ own B&B: 100-150 yuan/night, clean and simple, you can experience picking fruits and vegetables. 💡【2 days and 1 night itinerary suggestion】 Day 1: Hiking in the wetland park → boat trip → lunch (bring your own light meal) → cycling in Xiaodianhu Village in the afternoon → check in to the ancient town B&B in the evening → night tour of Tuisi Garden (there is a light show in summer). Day 2: Breakfast in the ancient town (soup dumplings from Laijun Dim Sum Restaurant) → visit Tuisi Garden and Pearl Tower → have lunch at Jiujarzi Rice Bucket → buy sock bottom pastry as a souvenir before returning. ⚠️Notes There are many mosquitoes in the wetland park, so be sure to bring mosquito repellent and wear long pants! The cobblestone road in the ancient town is uneven, so it is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes. Avoid weekends/holidays, when there are fewer people and the scenery is more beautiful! The combination of Tongli Wetland Park + Ancient Town allows you to embrace nature while feeling the Jiangnan atmosphere, and the key is that the cost is low! Save the guide and set off now~ 🌿✨