There are certain places in Tongli where time folds in on itself, and Nanyuan Teahouse is one of them. Built in 1898 and still pouring tea more than a century later, it sits at the meeting of two canals, shaded…
China
9 September 2025
Exploring Tuisi Garden in Tongli Ancient Town
I visited Tuisi Garden first thing in the morning, slipping through the gates just after they opened. For nearly an hour, I had it almost entirely to myself. The light was soft, the air cool, and the sound of birdsong…
9 September 2025
Staying at Jianyuan Guesthouse in Tongli
Tucked inside the stone lanes of Tongli’s old town is a guesthouse that feels as if it belongs to the canals themselves — Jianyuan Guesthouse (简园客栈). I booked it last-minute, after discovering many of the more sought-after guesthouses were already…
Tongli is one of the ancient water towns that edge the Yangtze Delta — a tangle of stone lanes worn smooth by centuries, canals arched with graceful bridges, and houses that lean so close to the water you can imagine…
Suzhou’s gardens and canals are famous, but its soul is in the music. From intimate teahouse Pingtan to summer Kunqu performances in the Humble Administrator’s Garden, here’s how to experience these traditions like a local.
1 September 2025
2 Days in Suzhou: A Slow Weekend Itinerary
Plan the perfect 2 days in Suzhou with this slow weekend itinerary — classical gardens, canals, noodles, teahouses, and a Pingtan performance.
Thinking of a Suzhou day trip from Shanghai? Here’s exactly how to do it — the best trains to take, a slow one-day itinerary, what to eat, and why it’s worth staying overnight.
Master of the Nets Garden may be small, but it feels complete — a world of water, blossoms, and reflection. In early spring I lingered among plum trees and magnolias, watching petals scatter across the pond like brushstrokes.
Canglang Pavilion, sometimes called the Blue Wave Pavilion, is Suzhou’s oldest garden. Quiet, poetic, and less crowded than the big names, it’s where I found rare peace among plum blossoms and bamboo.
Lion Grove Garden is Suzhou at its most playful — a UNESCO-listed maze of Taihu rockeries where I lost hours exploring, then paused for a maple latte in a hidden café overlooking the pond.
