One of the days in Suzhou was spend exploring Tongli Ancient city at the end of the metro line 4. I am getting pretty good at navigating without understanding how to read now. The access to internet and navigation app AMAP in chinese helped a lot even though I could not read.
Icons were still similarly universal and after repeatedly seeing a few chinese characters, I could guess some meaning to it althou I still don’t know how to read it. Its weird really, as if I am improving in China yet degressing due to moving forward without full understanding.
Tongli Ancient City was a scenic area given a AAAAA ( five A) rating by the goverment which usually means very well deserve visit. I still did not fully understand nor knew about this rating system in China at that time but eventually after visiting so many high grade tourist area, would come to recognize it for its well worth information.
 |
| Tongli Ancient City Gate |
 |
| Entrance Ticket to Tongli Ancient City - RMB 100 |
 |
| Map of Tongli Ancient City & Surounding Area |
However just like the UNESCO heritage marks that is given across the world, all recomendations really depends slightly on personal preference.
The entrance ticket to Tongli for RMB 100 was rather high which I would not pay to go a second time. Dont get me wrong, its a fantastic place to visit as a tourist and just soak up the historical value and atmosphere but later after travelling futher inland to more cities which are free I felt It was worth the RMB 100, just not worth paying twice to see it again.
 |
| Tongli Ancient City - Suzhou |
 |
| Tongli Ancient City - Suzhou |
 |
| Tongli Ancient City - Suzhou |
Tongli Ancient City was really well preserve and the RMB 100 ticket allows visit to five historical buildings scattered within the city that is preserved like a museum. Each building had their own story which for me lacking a guide or a translator was unable to understand the significants. It was still easy to get captivated exploring the nooks and corners of all the rooms and artifacts in the buildings.
 |
| Historical Buildings in Tongli Ancient City |
 |
| Historical Artifacts in Tongli Ancient City - Large Wood Sculpture of Lion |
 |
| Historical Building in Tongli Ancient City |
 |
| Garden inside Historical Building in Tongli Ancient City |
I wander a lot in Tongli for the whole day. It was a full day trip proper place to explore which I felt a short 6 hours exploration was not really enaugh but rushing to see more things without slowing down and enjoying the momment was definately not the way to do it.
The lack of mass tourist was also a rare find espescially when given a five A rating in China. At that time I had no idea but thinking back it was a rare experience to be able to wander around an Ancient City filled with serenity and without the mass crowds.
No comments:
Post a Comment