While drifting through canals crisscrossing the city of Tongli in a wooden boat, it is easy to think yourself in Venice. But the oriental rooftops and Mandarin banners let you know you are on the other side of the world. Inspiring painters and poets for centuries, the pristine atmosphere has been saved by kings through the ages giving this town great cultural and aesthetic significance.
Built between five lakes in the Suzhou Province, Tongli’s waterways and boat transportation has earned it the nickname of ‘The Venice of the East’. The rivers that run through the lakes are connected by canals and the opposite streets are connected by a large number of bridges. Some of these sites date back to the Ming dynasty and still sport traditional architecture that are unique to the region. The picturesque setting can be enjoyed aboard the boat services that traverse the waters. The stone and wood buildings besides them are detailed with porcelain figures and quaint gardens that lead to the river. The old residential house host carved windows and balconies, and the Retreat and Reflection Garden of a classical Suzhou design is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The bridges of Tongli are creations of beauty and utility. Not only do they provide points for pedestrians to cross over, but many hold stories and histories as old as the city. Locals walk over the Ternate bridges on weddings and birthdays for good luck. Their stone structures form a ring walk, crossing all 3 rivers at an intersection. The poems of ancient people that are inscribed on the Jili Bridge describe its arch and the beautiful view beside it. While some bridges are over 800 years old, others are just over a metre in length. They are not just a part of the scenery, but are interwoven with the culture of the people of this city.
Although the city can seem crowded with tourists and rather commercialized during the past few years, the charm is still visible to anyone searching for it. Only a half hour away from the city, it is easily reached by any mode of transport from your Suzhou accommodation. As the thriving main city of the region with a wonderful cultural history, many visitors come with long stays in mind. Somerset Emerald City Suzhou offers the convenience of a home with the comfort of a hotel. This style of serviced apartment Suzhou has to offer is best for business visitors and guests with families, who value service and comfort through a long period of time.
Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.
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