[2024 Suzhou Attraction] Travel Guide for Tuisi Garden (Updated Sep)

"Retreat Garden" is a must-see for visiting the ancient town of Tongli! Retreat to the Garden, built in the 11th to 13th year of the Guangxu reign of Qing Dynasty, is a red glimpse from the south of the corridor. In the retreat garden, the most popular is the most exciting. Retreat Garden gathers the length of the Qing Dynasty gardens, small and exquisite, light and elegant, pavilions and fun, and is a classic of Jiangnan classical gardens.

A Small Forest, Big in Detail—Suzhou's Retreat & Reflection Garden

Hey friends～👋 Tired of the holiday crowds? Today, let's unlock a hidden gem in Suzhou—Retreat & Reflection Garden, where you can travel back to the late Qing Dynasty in just one day and enjoy the tranquility and elegance!🏮 📅 **Best Time to Visit**: Choose a non-weekend or off-peak day, like a weekday, to avoid the crowds and fully enjoy the peace and quiet!😉 🚗 **How to Get There**: Driving or taking a taxi is the most convenient option! Just set your destination to "Retreat & Reflection Garden, Tongli Ancient Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou," and you're good to go!🚗 🎫 **Ticket Booking**: It's recommended to book tickets online in advance. Although you can buy them on-site, pre-booking saves you from queuing and makes your trip smoother! 🕰️ **Time to Spend**: Allocate at least 2 hours to walk slowly and savor every exquisite corner of the garden.⏳ 👣 **Tour Route**: 1. **First Impressions**: As soon as you step into the garden, you'll be captivated by the picturesque bridges and flowing water, as if you've walked into a living Jiangnan ink painting.🖼️ 2. **Tranquil Residence**: First, explore the owner's residential area, check out the ancient furniture, and feel the leisurely elegance of ancient scholars.🏠 3. **Garden Highlights**: Don't forget to check out "Sitting Spring Watching Moon Pavilion," "Retreat & Reflection Hall," and "Red Boat in the Noise." Each spot reveals the owner's ingenuity and craftsmanship.📚🛶 4. **Panoramic View**: Finally, climb the observation deck to take in the entire garden's scenery. At that moment, all the hustle and bustle will fade away with the wind.🌄 🍽️ **Food Recommendations**: - There are plenty of delicious foods near the garden! We recommend "Tongli Yuanwai Lou" for Jiangsu and Zhejiang cuisine—affordable and authentic. Don't forget to try their Squirrel Fish!🐟 - If you're in the mood for dessert, head to "Tong Xiaoli" for their sweet lotus root, which is sweet but not cloying, perfect for cooling down!🍰 💡 **Tips**: - Remember to protect yourself from the sun and mosquitoes, and bring enough water and snacks, as this is a place to savor slowly!☀️ - Although Retreat & Reflection Garden is small, every corner is worth appreciating. Slow down and immerse yourself in its classical beauty!👣 That's all for today's one-day tour guide of Retreat & Reflection Garden! I hope you find your own peace and beauty here. Don't forget to share your beautiful photos and experiences when you return～📸💖

Ancient Town World Heritage 'Retreat and Reflection Garden'

Retreat and Reflection Garden, commonly known as the Waterside Garden, is located in Tongli Town, Wujiang District, Jiangsu Province. The entire garden is simple and unadorned, plain and elegant, embodying the style of late Qing Dynasty gardens in the Jiangnan region. 1⃣️In the tenth year of Emperor Guangxu's reign (1884), Ren Lansheng was criticized in front of Empress Dowager Cixi for his failure to suppress the Nian Army. Enraged, Cixi immediately issued an edict summoning Ren Lansheng to Beijing to answer for his actions. A few days later, Ren Lansheng arrived in Beijing as ordered. Empress Dowager Cixi immediately held a court session. Cixi sat in the center, her face full of anger, with powerful officials Zuo Zongtang and Peng Yulin standing by her sides. Ren Lansheng was summoned into the hall and knelt on both knees. Cixi asked, 'Who are you?' He replied, 'I am Ren Lansheng, the military governor of Fengying and Lusi.' Cixi then enumerated Ren Lansheng's crimes. Faced with Cixi's relentless questioning, Ren Lansheng always answered 'yes' without any defense, which frustrated Cixi. Finally, Cixi asked Ren Lansheng, 'What will you do in the future?' Ren Lansheng replied, 'I will retreat to reflect on my mistakes and advance to protect the country.' Hearing this, Cixi remained silent, her attitude somewhat softened. At this moment, Zuo and Peng took the opportunity to suggest to Cixi to follow Ren Lansheng's proposal, to which Cixi agreed. Ren Lansheng thus narrowly escaped death. Later, Ren Lansheng was dismissed and returned to his hometown. Before his departure, Peng Yulin, the Governor-General of Liangjiang, specially gave him a couplet: 'Plant bamboo and raise fish for a peaceful life; read books and weave cloth for auspicious sounds.' The meaning was to advise Ren Lansheng to enjoy his later years peacefully in his hometown. After returning to his hometown, Ren Lansheng invited the famous local painter Yuan Long to design and build a private garden. After the garden was completed, it was named 'Retreat and Reflection Garden,' taking inspiration from the 'Zuo Zhuan' (Chronicle of Zuo), 'Think of loyalty when advancing, reflect on mistakes when retreating.' The garden was built in the eleventh year of Emperor Guangxu's reign (1885) and completed in the twelfth year (1887). It was a private garden built by Ren Lansheng at the cost of 100,000 taels of silver. Covering an area of 0.57 hectares with a building area of 2,622 square meters, it is a unique masterpiece among Jiangnan gardens, achieving much with little. The couplet given by Peng Yulin was hung in the pavilion of the garden. Retreat and Reflection Garden World Cultural Heritage Daytime: 08:00-17:15 Address: No. 234, Xintian Street, Wujiang District, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, inside Tongli Ancient Town. It is 971 meters from Tongli Experimental Primary School (bus stop), about a 12-minute walk.

Retreat Garden, a hidden gem among Suzhou gardens, is a world of its own!

The fantasy of Suzhou gardens: In Suzhou, the Humble Administrator's Garden, Lion Grove Garden, and Lingering Garden each have their own unique charm, but Retreat Garden, a World Cultural Heritage site with over 130 years of history, fulfills all my fantasies of Suzhou gardens with its simplicity, spaciousness, elegance, and natural beauty. 🚶 Transportation Guide: From Tongli Station on Line 4, take the Wujiang Intelligent Rail T1 Demonstration Line or Bus 725 to reach Tongli Ancient Town and explore the tranquil beauty of Retreat Garden. 🎫 Ticket Information: 100 yuan, with an 80 yuan discount if booked one day in advance, allowing you to easily tour all the attractions within Tongli Ancient Town. 🏮 The Story of Retreat Garden: The name "Retreat" is derived from the "Zuo Zhuan". The garden's owner, Lan Sheng, a late Qing Dynasty official, retired here after being impeached and built this garden. The garden features pavilions, terraces, corridors, and halls, all arranged horizontally from west to east. 🔍 Practical Information: The residential area's calligraphy and stone inscriptions, the scene experience area's central hall, tea charm, qin playing, and chess playing, allow you to experience ancient life. The second floor of the Moon Viewing Tower offers the best view of the garden. The garden area's rockeries, buildings, and flowers surround the koi pond, with the Retreat Grass Hall at the center, the best spot for photographing the Moon Viewing Tower and the stone boat.

Night Tour of Tuisi Garden in Tongli during the Scorching Summer

During the scorching weather, we chose to stay in the hotel and enjoy the air conditioning during the day, and in the evening, we went to stroll around the ancient town of Tongli, especially the typical Jiangnan garden - the World Cultural Heritage Tuisi Garden. Tuisi Garden is a classical garden in Suzhou, built in the 11th year of Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty (1885) and completed in the 13th year of Guangxu (1887). After the garden owner Ren Lansheng was dismissed from office, he returned to his hometown Tongli. Instead of lying flat, he invited the painter Kelong to design and spent two years building the house and garden, naming it "Tuisi," mainly taking the meaning from "Zuo Zhuan": "When advancing, think of doing your utmost loyalty; when retreating, think of making up for your mistakes." Tuisi Garden takes "retreat" as the horizontal line and "thinking" as the core, with a horizontal layout. From west to east, it consists of a residence, courtyard, and garden. The residence is composed of a gate hall, tea hall, main hall, and two small buildings where the family lives. The central courtyard is a natural transition between the residence and the garden, mainly used for entertaining guests. The courtyard is enclosed by a corridor, with a guest house and Suihanju to the south for the host to receive and entertain guests; to the north is the Zuochun Wangyue Building for guests to stay. Inside the courtyard, there are dry boats and small flower and tree scenes, and to the east of the courtyard, there is a moon gate leading to the garden. The garden occupies more than half of the entire house and garden, with a lotus pond as the center, surrounded by rockeries, buildings, flowers, and trees. The winding corridor extends around the south, north, and west sides of the lotus pond, connecting almost all the buildings in the garden. On the corridor wall beside the garden gate, there are also inscriptions of "The clear wind and bright moon need not be bought with a penny," simple and unadorned, plain and elegant, compact in structure, and prominent in the center, with the architectural style of late Qing Dynasty Jiangnan gardens. Sharing a few points: 1. The ticket for Tongli Ancient Town is 100 yuan, including the ticket for Tuisi Garden. After 5 pm, the ancient town is free of charge, but the night view ticket for Tuisi Garden is 50 yuan (half price for those over 60). 2. It takes about an hour to tour Tuisi Garden. After entering the garden, you must see the three treasures: the stele rubbing of "Returning Home," the stone drum pattern on the leaking window, and the Lingbi stone old man's peak. 3. It is best to choose a weekday to visit. You can wear a cheongsam, with fewer people and beautiful scenery, and take beautiful new Chinese-style photos. Tuisi Garden: A place that lets you take a step back and see the vast world.

Suzhou's new night tour landmark, the night journey of Jiangnan for the youth!

🔥 The weather is hot, and the nightlife is getting exciting! 🌙 🌞 The sun refuses to set, it's time to switch to nightlife mode! 🎉 🤔 You say Suzhou has no nightlife? NO NO NO! You are totally wrong! 🙅‍♀️ 1️⃣ Xiangmen Ancient City Wall Light Show 🏰 📍 Location: Xiangmen Ancient City Wall, Gusu District, Suzhou City 💰 Price: Free! 🚇 Transportation: Metro Line 1 Xiangmen Station, 400 meters by foot! 🌃 The quaint city wall collides with modern technology, a perfect combination of tradition and trend, definitely a feast for your eyes! There's also an art market waiting for you to check in! ✨ 2️⃣ Encounter Gusu · Mudu Past 🎭 📍 Location: Yanjia Garden Scenic Area, Mudu Ancient Town, Wuzhong District, Suzhou City 💰 Price: 200 yuan per person in the evening, great value experience! 🚇 Transportation: Metro Line 5 Lingyanshan Station, 450 meters by foot, easy to reach! 🌃 Enjoy Suzhou's traditional cultural performances such as Pingtan and Kunqu opera in the garden, with high-tech lighting and sound for a brand new experience! 💫 3️⃣ Jin Ye · Qing Indigo Lu Zhi 🌸 📍 Location: Jiangnan Culture Park, Luzhi Ancient Town, Wuzhong District, Suzhou City 💰 Price: Special weekly offer of only 20 yuan! Original price 80 yuan! 🚌 Transportation: Bus route 52 Xiaoshi Road Station, 350 meters by foot! 🌃 Spend a wonderful night in Jiangnan Culture Park, enjoy romantic performances, taste special meals, a dual enjoyment of sight and taste! 🍽️ 4️⃣ Tuisi Garden Night Flower Garden 🌺 📍 Location: Tuisi Garden, Tongli Ancient Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou City 💰 Price: Only 50 yuan! 🚌 Transportation: Bus route 735 Tongli Ancient Town Shipai Lou Station, 800 meters by foot! 🌃 Stroll through the Tuisi Garden Night Flower Garden, explore classical music, dreamy light shows, and a dazzling sea of lights! Every step is a surprise! 💖 💃 Come to Suzhou for a different nightlife experience! Make your night more colorful and exciting! 🌟

I have finally arrived at the other side of the Anywhere Door, the Tuisi Garden in Tongli

I have finally arrived at the other side of the Anywhere Door, the Tuisi Garden in Tongli. The Tuisi Garden is located within the Tongli Ancient Town scenic area, and requires a ticket for entry. The Tuisi Garden is a classic example of a private garden from the late Qing Dynasty and a model of small gardens. It has been included in the list of World Cultural Heritage sites. The Tuisi Garden was built by Ren Lansheng, a Qing Dynasty official who was dismissed from office and returned to his hometown. The name of the garden means 'contemplating loyalty when in service, and reflecting on one's mistakes when in retirement.' It covers an area of 5,674 square meters, with a building area of 2,622 square meters. The layout is horizontal, extending from west to east in the order of residence, courtyard, and garden. The Tuisi Garden is quaint and elegant, with pleasant greenery and rippling water. Stepping into the Tuisi Garden is like entering a natural ink painting, where one can wander in the painting.

A breathtakingly beautiful garden - The Retreat & Reflection Garden in Suzhou

The Retreat & Reflection Garden, located at No. 234 Xintian Street in the ancient town area of Tongli Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China, is a unique attraction that integrates history, culture, and garden art. It was built during the 11th to 13th year of the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty (1885—1887) by Ren Lansheng, a Qing Dynasty official who constructed the garden after his dismissal from office. The name of the garden carries profound meaning, derived from the phrase 'When serving at court, one should think about being utterly loyal; when away from court, one should reflect on one's faults' from the 'Zuo Zhuan', reflecting the owner's introspection on the past and expectations for the future. The Retreat & Reflection Garden covers an area of 5,674 square meters, with a built area of 2,622 square meters. The overall layout unfolds horizontally, with residential areas, courtyards, and gardens distributed from west to east in succession, forming a unique scenic line. The residential area consists of an entrance hall, tea hall, main hall, and two small buildings where the family lived, reflecting the living pattern and atmosphere of ancient official families. The central courtyard serves as a natural transition between the residence and the garden, not only practical but also rich in artistic beauty. The courtyard is enclosed by corridors, with the Guest-welcoming Hall and Suihan Residence to the south, where the host would entertain and banquet guests; to the north is the Sitting-in-Spring Pavilion for guests to stay. The courtyard also features a dry boat and miniature landscapes of flowers and trees, adding a touch of vivacity and interest. The moon gate to the east of the courtyard leads to the garden area, ushering visitors into another beautiful world. The garden section is the essence of the Retreat & Reflection Garden. Within the limited territory and space, landscape elements such as rocks, ponds, and flowers are cleverly arranged to create a natural, harmonious, and tranquil atmosphere. Strolling through it is like being in a beautiful landscape painting, making one linger and forget to return. Please note Ticket: A separate ticket for the Retreat & Reflection Garden is 50 yuan. Time: The Retreat & Reflection Garden is also open for night visits, with opening hours from 8:00 to 17:15. You can only enter once, so if you want to see the night view, it is recommended to enter in the afternoon and stay until evening.

Tuisi Garden is the only garden in China that is built above the water level

Address: Inside the Tongli Ancient Town Scenic Area, Wuzhong District, Suzhou City Ticket: 50 RMB per adult Daytime combo ticket: 100 RMB (includes tickets to all attractions within the ancient town) Purchase tickets online one day in advance for 80 RMB Separate purchase of Tuisi Garden ticket: 50 RMB Opening hours: 08:00-20:30 Transportation by car: You can navigate to Tongli Ancient Town, where there is a parking lot. Subway: Take Subway Line 4 to Tongli Station, then transfer to a shuttle bus to Tongli Ancient Town, and walk to the destination. The buildings in the garden are all delicate and float on the water. From a distance, it looks like a garden on the water, resembling a fairyland at sea. The owner of Tuisi Garden, Ren Lansheng, faced setbacks in his middle age and was impeached. He retired to Tongli Town outside Suzhou City and built this small garden. Later, the court reappointed him, and Ren Lansheng returned to his official duties. Therefore, he named it 'Tuisi,' which means 'to reflect on loyalty when in service and to make amends when retired.' Unlike the complete seclusion of the Canglang Pavilion and the Master of the Nets Garden, Tuisi Garden represents a philosophy of reflection and progress, of making amends and re-entering society. It embodies the wisdom of knowing when to advance and when to retreat. Just as Tuisi Garden is away from the city of Suzhou, it represents a retreat; Ren Lansheng's return to his hometown to build the garden is a retreat; but his re-entry into officialdom is an advance; the unique environment of Tuisi Garden compared to other gardens is also an advance. There is joy in moving forward, and comfort in stepping back!

So beautiful it makes you cry! The only World Heritage classical garden in the ancient town of Jiangnan!

In the heartland of the water towns in Eastern China, there lies a stunning garden hidden within Tongli Ancient Town in Wujiang District, Suzhou City—Tuisi Garden. It is not just a garden, but also a microcosm of Jiangnan culture, where every brick and tile tells the story of the old-time literati's indifference to fame and fortune and their elegant taste. In this trip, let us step into this flowing ink painting and seek the tranquil and profound beauty. Must-visit Attractions Upon entering Tuisi Garden, the first thing that catches your eye is the ingeniously arranged pavilions and towers, which are scattered around a pond with rippling blue waves. The 'Tuisi Thatched Cottage', as the main building of the garden, is simple and elegant, and is the best place to experience the leisurely life of the ancients. Don't miss the 'Boisterous Red Boat', a stone boat quietly moored on the water, as if ready to take you into poetry and the distance at any moment. And walking through the 'Nine-Turn Corridor', with its twists and turns, every step is a view, and every view is emotive, making one intoxicated in this carefully designed visual feast. Address and Transportation Guide Tuisi Garden is located in Tongli Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province. The most convenient way to get there from the city center of Suzhou is to take the Metro Line 4 to Tongli Station, then transfer to a bus or taxi directly to the ancient town, which takes about 1 hour in total. For those who prefer to drive, you can take the G15W expressway and exit at 'Wujiang/Tongli', then follow the road signs to easily reach your destination. Food Recommendations After visiting Tuisi Garden, how can you miss the authentic Tongli local food? 'Sock-bottom Crisp', with its crispy skin and sweet filling, is a small but certain happiness after tea or meal; 'White Fish' steamed is the freshest and most delicious, with tender meat, representing the fine cuisine of the Jiangnan water towns; don't forget the 'Scholar's Trotters', which are bright red in color, soft and not greasy, and are said to bring good luck. It is recommended to dine at 'Lü's Inn' or 'Sanqiao People's Home' in the ancient town, where the restaurants not only offer authentic flavors but also have an environment full of water town characteristics. Recommended Nearby Attractions Tongli Ancient Town itself is a living history museum. In addition to Tuisi Garden, there are several other must-see places: • Pearl Tower Scenic Area: Tells a touching love story, with equally exquisite garden scenery. • Luoxingzhou: You need to take a small boat to get there, where the ancient temple's chanting and the lake and mountains offer a unique flavor. • Jiayin Hall: Known for its exquisite wood carving art, it allows you to feel the wisdom and craftsmanship of ancient artisans. A trip to Tuisi Garden is not only an exploration of classical garden aesthetics but also a journey of spiritual return. Here, time seems to slow down, allowing every traveler to savor the unique charm of Jiangnan. Come, let us find the long-lost tranquility and beauty among the small bridges and flowing waters of Tongli, and let this journey become an eternal memory in your heart.

I prefer this ancient town recommended by National Geographic over the Humble Administrator's Garden

Water Charm Jiangsu·More Beautiful with You❤️ In the past when I went to Suzhou I always visited the Humble Administrator's Garden, Pingjiang Road, Shantang Street But this time, I discovered an incredibly beautiful ancient town Less commercialized More of a simple charm of the ancient South ✅Ming and Qing Dynastic Gardens ✅World Cultural Heritage ✅Not overly commercialized - 🚗'About Transportation' Take Metro Line 4 to "Tongli Station", transfer to the Tongli Ancient Town Zhi Rail special line to get there, or take a taxi - 📍Location: Tongli Ancient Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province - ✨'My 2 Days and 1 Night Itinerary' Day1⃣Tuisi Garden➡Chongbentang➡Gengletang➡Pearl Tower Scenic Garden➡Jiayintang➡Luoxingzhou Day2⃣Tongli National Wetland Park➡Luoxingzhou - 📷'About Photo Spots' ✅Tuisi Garden The entrance to the scenic area is also a place worth checking in, listed in the "World Cultural Heritage List", with winding paths leading to secluded spots, a late Qing architectural style, ancient and elegant. ✅Pearl Tower Scenic Garden Close to the north-facing "Fuguan Bridge Entrance", it's quite large, connecting several gardens, full of koi, you can stroll for half a day. ✅Chongbentang This place is now an exhibition hall, displaying exhibits related to the folk wedding customs of the Jiangnan water towns, worth learning about. ✅Gengletang Late Qing style, one of the eight scenic spots of Tongli, the garden scenery is quite unique ✅Luoxingzhou A secluded island, not easy to find, accessible only by boat, but worth a visit. ✅Rowing Boat A boat can seat 6 people, you can share a boat, and view the entire ancient town along the waterway, a different perspective. ✅Tongli National Wetland Park Over 4,000 acres of wetland forest, a natural oxygen bar, with forests, bamboo groves, and lakes along the way, as if walking into a fairy tale. During festivals, there are also super fun markets and camping activities, very lively. - This time, I also saw many interesting activities in Tongli Ancient Town, such as opera performances in the gardens and traditional Chinese-style weddings on the water, all reflecting interesting traditional culture. - 🏠'About Accommodation' You can stay overnight in the ancient town to experience the charm of the Jiangnan water town, and the itinerary for the second day won't be too rushed. - 🍛'About Food' Before entering the scenic area, there is a whole pedestrian street, with plenty of food and drink, ✅Scholar's Pork Knuckle ✅Tuisi Cake ✅Red Bean Cake ✅Ox Nose Pastry ✅Taihu Three Whites ✅Sock Bottom Crisp - If you don't feel like working anymore, then come here to stay for a few days, and experience the charm of this leisurely ancient town in the South

Tongli - A quintessential water town, reminiscent of the old Jiangnan

After only being able to stay in Suzhou for three days, time is limited, yet there are so many wonderful places to visit. I have always had a special fondness for ancient towns, and ultimately chose Tongli over Zhouzhuang. Transportation: Tongli is over 20 kilometers away from the city center, accessible by taking Metro Line 2 and then transferring to bus 275. Attractions: The most famous is undoubtedly the Tuisi Garden. The garden is extensive, with pavilions and towers scattered in an orderly fashion, offering a serene and beautiful landscape. Other attractions such as the Pearl Tower, Three Bridges, and Chongben Hall are also quite nice. Tickets: 100 yuan, with Ctrip offering them for 80 yuan (booking one day in advance is required). Admission is free after 5 pm. Recommended visiting time: 1 day.

Tuisi Garden

Tuisi Garden, located at No. 234 Xintian Street, Tongli Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China, was built between the eleventh and thirteenth years of the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty (1885—1887). The garden was constructed by Ren Lansheng, a Qing Dynasty official, after he was dismissed from office and returned to his hometown. The name of the garden is derived from the phrase 'When serving his lord, Lin Fu thought of loyalty; when retiring, he thought of mending his faults' from the 'Zuo Zhuan'. The Tuisi Garden covers an area of 5,674 square meters, with a building area of 2,622 square meters. It has a horizontal layout, with the residence, courtyard, and garden arranged from west to east. The residence consists of an entrance hall, tea hall, main hall, and two small buildings where the family lived. The central courtyard serves as a natural transition between the residence and the garden, mainly used for receiving guests. The courtyard is enclosed by corridors, with the Welcoming Guests Pavilion and Suihan Residence to the south, where the host meets and entertains guests, and the Sitting in Spring and Gazing at the Moon Building to the north, for guest accommodation. The courtyard features a dry boat and small scenes of flowers and trees, with a moon gate to the east leading to the garden. Tuisi Garden is a model of small-scale gardens, providing a natural museum for modern people within a limited area and space. In June 2001, Tuisi Garden was announced by the State Council as the fifth batch of national key cultural relics protection units. Tuisi Garden

Retreat & Reflection Garden: A World Cultural Heritage in the Gardens of Southern China

The Retreat & Reflection Garden holds an extremely special place among Chinese gardens. It is the only World Cultural Heritage site in the ancient towns of southern China, elevating the subtle and exquisite aesthetic spirit of Chinese gardens to a remarkable height, and is of great ornamental value. Located in the ancient town of Tongli within Suzhou, Tongli itself epitomizes the southern Chinese landscape of small bridges over flowing water. Nestled within, the Retreat & Reflection Garden harmoniously integrates into its surroundings. The entire garden is designed around water, comprehensively including four parts: the hall, the inner house, the courtyard, and the garden. With layered houses and arched bridges over the water surface, and pavilions and towers arranged just right, every corner exudes refined elegance and charm, creating a deep and winding spatial atmosphere, forming an aesthetic maze filled with ancient Chinese charm. Every plant and tree, every pavilion and stone, is meticulously designed. Techniques such as borrowed scenery are used to hide the natural landscape within the small garden, imbuing it with poetic and picturesque beauty. Transportation from Suzhou to this location is extremely convenient, with direct subway access.

A Spring Visit to the Retreat & Reflection Garden

The Retreat & Reflection Garden is located in Wujiang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, and was built between the eleventh and thirteenth years of the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty (1885-1887). The designer of the garden was Yuan Long, covering an area of 5,674 square meters with a building area of 2,622 square meters. It integrates a variety of gardening techniques and is considered a masterpiece among gardens in China. It is a classical garden outside the city of Gusu that has been included in the World Cultural Heritage list and has served as the filming location for many movies and TV dramas. Due to the limitations of the terrain, the architectural layout breaks the convention, changing from vertical to horizontal, from west to east, with the west being the residence, the center being the courtyard, and the east being the garden. The garden encompasses the architectural features of southern Jiangnan gardens, including pavilions, terraces, towers, corridors, bridges, halls, and rooms. It boasts 'three unique trees, three absolute wonders, and three treasures,' with pavilions, terraces, towers, corridors, bridges, and rooms all present. The owner of the garden, Ren Lansheng, was impeached and dismissed from his post, and he named the garden 'Retreat & Reflection' in the hope of making amends. The Retreat & Reflection Garden was listed as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO in November 2000, and in June 2001, it was announced by the State Council as a national key cultural relics protection unit.

Suzhou Tongli Ancient Town Travel Guide: Tickets, Accommodation, Food Complete Guide, you must not miss

🌟Suzhou Tongli Ancient Town Guide🌟 🚌How to get there: From Shanghai Hongqiao to Suzhou Station, transfer to Metro Line 4 towards Tongli and get off at the terminal station, estimated 1 hour journey. 🏨Accommodation recommendation: Super recommend the homestay opposite, both affordable and clean and tidy, simply perfect! 🎫Tickets: Original price 100 yuan (valid for 2 consecutive days), advance reservation discount price 80 yuan! ⏰Attraction opening hours: 08:00-17:15 (17:00 stop admission), it is recommended to arrange a whole day to play. 🎫Tickets include attractions: There are 11 attractions, see Figure 2. Note that Songshi Wuyuan is under renovation and is temporarily not open to the public. Attraction introduction: 🏯Retreat Garden: This is a Jiangnan courtyard in the World Cultural Heritage List, a model of garden architecture in the late Qing Dynasty. The movie 'Fengyue' was filmed here, definitely worth a look! 🏯Gengle Hall: The residence of Zhu Xiang, a high official of the Ming Dynasty, is a representative work of private residences in the Ming Dynasty. 🏯Pearl Tower: This is the mansion of Chen Yudao, a bureaucrat of the Ming Dynasty, divided into East House, West Garden and North Temple. This is also the birthplace of the famous local opera 'Pearl Tower'. 🏯Jiayin Hall: Built in 1922, it is said to be the residence of the poet Liu Yazhou. ���Three Bridges: Changqing Bridge, Jili Bridge, Taiping Bridge. It is said that if you cross all three bridges, you will be happy! Food Guide: ①Inside the scenic area: Come to the military snack shop, a well-known old shop! Mint mung bean cake only costs 3 yuan, eel noodle only costs 18 yuan, super value! ②At the entrance of the scenic area, 1km from the core scenic area: Qian Tongli Suzhou Noodle House, fried pork chop noodles only cost 15 yuan, fragrant and delicious! But note that it only operates until lunch time, don't make a wasted trip~ Hope you have a pleasant journey in Suzhou Tongli Ancient Town! Remember to taste local food and enjoy beautiful scenery~

Rated as the most beautiful ancient town by National Geographic, how beautiful it is with small bridges, flowing water, people's homes, green stones, and pink walls

Rated as the most beautiful ancient town by National Geographic, how beautiful it is with small bridges, flowing water, people's homes, green stones, pink walls, and black tiles. This is the water town in my dream. Tongli Ancient Town, one of the six major ancient towns in the south of the Yangtze River, has a history of more than a thousand years.! Let's experience the leisurely 2-day tour of Tongli, a small town in the south of the Yangtze River with poetic and picturesque scenery. Retreat Garden World Cultural Heritage, meaning 'advance thinking of loyalty, retreat thinking of making up for the past', a beautiful garden landscape in the south of the Yangtze River, must check in! Jiayin Hall It is said that it is the house where the poet Liu Yazi lived for three bridges. Gengle Hall The house of a high official in the Ming Dynasty, with a front house and a back yard, is a representative of the Ming Dynasty residence. Chongben Hall Now it is the Wedding Custom Museum of the Water Town in the South of the Yangtze River. Pearl Tower This is the birthplace of the local opera 'Pearl Tower', the place is quite large, it is the mansion of Chen Yudao in the Ming Dynasty. Luoxingzhou A small island in the heart of Tongli Lake, it is a holy place where Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism are combined. Walk Three Bridges Changqing Bridge, Jili Bridge, Taiping Bridge, the local custom is to live a happy life after walking three bridges. Shake the boat 120 yuan/boat, 6 people, you can share a boat with other people, and it is the cheapest to take a boat here among the six ancient towns. Tips:! It's free to enter the ancient town before 8 o'clock in the morning and after 17 o'clock in the evening. 2 It is recommended to buy tickets, which are valid for two days. 3 Luoxingzhou is outside the scenic area, take a small traffic for 5 yuan per person, from the small traffic location to the scenic area is about 1 kilometer, you can not do it. It's so comfortable here that people don't want to leave. It is known as the 'Venice of the East'. Small bridges, flowing water, and people's homes are fully demonstrated here. Come to 'Tongli' to experience a different water town in the south of the Yangtze River. Ancient TownTravel GuideTown in the South of the Yangtze RiverTravel Notes Travel GuideTongli Ancient Town

The beautiful ancient town of Suzhou with few people

Three of the six ancient towns in Jiangnan are located in Zhejiang, and the other three are in Suzhou, namely Tongli Ancient Town, Zhouzhuang Ancient Town, and Luzhi Ancient Town. Among them, Tongli Ancient Town is located in Wujiang District and forms an independent plate. There are many scenic spots worth visiting inside. 👍Most recommended: 1. Tuisi Garden Tuisi Garden is one of the nine representative gardens of Suzhou World Heritage. It is on par with Humble Administrator's Garden, Lion Grove Garden, and Master of the Nets Garden. Because of the addition of Tuisi Garden, Tongli Ancient Town has become more valuable and is worth a visit. 2. Pearl Tower This is also an old house with garden architecture as the main body. The interior area is large, and a large number of red goldfish are raised in the large pond, which is very eye-catching when swimming in the water. 3. Other celebrity residences Including the residences of modern popular novelist Fan Yanqiao, garden master Ji Cheng, etc., are located here, it's worth a look. 📝Note tips: About tickets, you can buy them at the entrance. The ticket is 100 yuan, and other platforms may offer a 20% discount. In addition, you can use the Suzhou Leisure Card to enter various scenic spots, including Tuisi Garden. After buying the ticket at the entrance, you can enter various paid places in the scenic area. 🚉Transportation strategy: In terms of transportation, it is not particularly convenient. The nearest subway station is about three kilometers away, and it takes about an hour to come from the city.

Retreat Garden, built in the Qing Dynasty, has been included in the World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Simply put, it is the mansion of the big family at that time. After careful visits, you can find that the life of the ancient people is very particular. Each place is used for different purposes: like the front hall is dedicated to receiving noble guests, The ceremony of worshiping the ancestors and other matters; the Range Rover Pavilion can take a look at the scenery in the garden; the place where the rain is cool and cool is built with the water attached, and there is a large mirror in the middle, where the mirror collapses in front of the mirror, in the hot summer view mirror The scenery, the heart is cool, in order to achieve the effect of the heat. The whole house is pavilion, terrace, building, pavilion, gallery, square, bridge, gong, hall, hall, house, and Xuan. When we visited, we also saw tourists renting Hanfu to take photos here, and they couldnt turn around when they were full of spring gardens.

Tongli Ancient Town, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, is one of the six famous ancient towns in the south of the Yangtze River. It has a history of more than a thousand years. There are still many local people living in the ancient town. One of the most famous sights in Tongli is a garden called Retreat Garden. Tickets for Tongli Ancient Town are 100 yuan, and about 70 yuan is spent on the retreat. Retreat was built in the late Qing Dynasty and has a history of more than 130 years. In 2001, Retreat Garden was included in the World Cultural Heritage List, standing side by side with the famous Humble Administrator's Garden and the Lingering Garden. At the same time, Retreat Garden is also the only Suzhou Garden in the World Heritage List that is not in Suzhou City. is different from the traditional Suzhou garden front and back garden structure. The retreat garden is a left and right structure. The whole garden covers an area of about 10 acres, which is small and exquisite. The name of the owner of the garden is Ren Lansheng, who is a Tongli person. He was impeached in Anhui as an official. After returning home, he built this garden. The name of the retreat garden, from the "Left Turn" in the "into the loyalty, retreat and replenishment", indicating that the owner of the park lost his hometown after the frustration, and after two years of leisure time in the retreat garden, In the 14th year of Guangxu (1888), he entered the officialdom again. The small attic on the second floor of the residential area, separated from the garden by a wall, overlooking the garden through the quaint wooden windows. Retired Garden was founded in 1885. Ren Lansheng spent 100,000 yuan to build a garden. He invited the famous painter Yuan Long to design it and completed it after two years of construction.

"Thinking of loyalty, retreating and replenishing", Retreat Garden (the only world cultural heritage of Jiangnan Ancient Town) was named after it. People know Zhouzhuang, Wuzhen, but I have to say: Tongli is really fun! ! [Photographing] There is not only the scenery of the ancient town (the beauty of the land + the beauty of the Su-style garden), [Rabbit] and the literary art of the meal and food. For food, you have to try the main dish of the same dish!

There are many ancient towns in the south of the Yangtze River. There are six famous ones - Zhouzhuang, Tongli, Zhizhi, Xitang, Wuzhen and Nanxun. The six ancient towns have their own characteristics. The softness of Zhouzhuang, the charm of Wuzhen, the fireworks of Nanxun... but there are There are not many world cultural heritages, including the Tongli of Suzhou Wujiang. Because, there is a Retreat Garden that is a collection of Jiangnan gardens. It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage in 2001. Retreat Garden is a private garden created by the Tongli people who had been a high-ranking official of the political ambassador and the soldiers at the first level of the Qing dynasty during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty. After returning from the township, the garden was named "Zuo Zhuan". Thinking of loyalty, retreat to make up." The area is not large, less than 10 acres, but the layout is exquisite. Pavilions and pavilions, ponds and otters, there are "three, three, three treasures", which is called the Jiangnan gardens. Retreat Park is centered on water. The mountains, pavilions, churches, galleries, porches, pipa and pipa are all built around the water. It is like a water outing, piano room, Sanqu Bridge, Eye Cloud Pavilion, Yusheng Liangxuan, Tianqiao, Xintai, Jiuqu cloister, red glimpse, Shuixiangyu, Sightseeing Pavilion... It occupies a small area, but it has accommodated so many buildings, and it is not too crowded, but it is just right. If it is a day of drizzle, it is more like a picture of Jiangnan ink painting.

Alley alleys in Tongli are very clean and atmospheric. The tall white walls are fitted with new green leaves, clean and beautiful. It is this sleepy staff that is very uncomfortable. Seeing that the staff are sleepy, I thought that I came earlier, no one inside. I rushed to check the ticket and patted it when I wanted to marry someone. But as soon as I entered it, I was dumbfounded, full of people! Retreat was built in the 11th to 13th year of the Guangxu reign (AD 1885-1887). Director Lan Sheng, the word musk, No. Nanyun. During the reign of Emperor Guangxu, Lan Lan returned to his hometown and spent 100,000 yuan to build a home garden. He took the name of the retreat, and took the name of "Zuo Zhuan", "Thinking of loyalty, retreating and replenishing." Look at this person! The private garden really feels a bit small. I am afraid that the owner of the garden will not think that the garden where he is looking for peace and tranquility will become so lively!