Core product highlights
· Expert cultural guide: Led by professional guides well-versed in Tongli's history, gardens, and folk customs, you'll traverse this ancient town spanning millennia and uncover the stories behind every brick and tile.
· Premium Route, Efficient and Hassle-Free: Meticulously designed as a "no backtracking" tour route, it connects key attractions like Tuisi Garden, Three Bridges, and Chuanxin Lane, allowing you to deeply experience the essence of this "living ancient town" within limited time.
· Flexible time slots for easy itinerary integration: Choose between morning and afternoon time slots to perfectly fit your self-guided tour schedule and effortlessly explore Tongli.
· Pure guide cultural experience: Focused on knowledge sharing and cultural interpretation with no shopping stops, allowing you to immerse in the authentic atmosphere of Jiangnan water towns.
Service details and pricing
This product is a pure guided tour service offered as a join-in tour. The guide will lead the tour at the scheduled time and provide in-depth commentary.
· Join-in Tour Guide Service (Approx. Duration: 2.5-3 hr)
· Time Slots & Prices: Morning session CNY/person / Afternoon session CNY/person
· Meeting point: Designated location near the Stone Archway (main entrance) of Tongli Ancient Town (subject to the notification upon successful booking).
· Core Guide:
1. In-depth Interpretation of the World Heritage Site Tuisi Garden: A detailed exploration of the garden design art of the "Water-Adjacent Garden" from the late Qing Dynasty and the life philosophy of "reflecting on one's faults to make amends" by its owner Ren Lansheng, revealing its unique value as a World Cultural Heritage site.
2. Water Town Folk Customs and Three Bridges Blessing: Walk across the Taiping, Jili, and Changqing Bridges, delve into the intangible cultural heritage significance of the "Walking the Three Bridges" blessing custom, and experience the pulse of ancient town life.
3. Exploring Ancient Architecture and Alleys of the Ming and Qing Dynasties: Visit classic residences like Chongben Hall and Jiayin Hall to admire exquisite "Three Carvings"; stroll through the unique and secluded Chuanxin Alley, listening to the historical echoes beneath the stone slabs underfoot.
4. Local Life and Storytelling: Showcasing the daily scenes of indigenous residents, weaving together the stories of gardens, ancient bridges, and old houses to present a "living" Tongli.
Sample itinerary (taking the morning session as an example)
· Meeting: Please arrive at the designated meeting point near the Stone Archway (main entrance) of Tongli Ancient Town 10 minutes before your scheduled time slot to meet the guide.
· Tour Guide: After entering the park with the guide, follow the central axis and water alleys of the ancient town to explore Tuisi Garden, Chongben Hall, and Jiayin Hall in depth. Walk across the Three Bridges for blessings, visit Chuanxin Lane, and listen to vivid and detailed explanations.
· End: After the guided tour concludes, you can continue with free time. We recommend visiting Nanyuan Teahouse to enjoy a Pingtan performance or taking a boat to the sacred island of Luoxingzhou in the lake center for an immersive experience of the water town's charm.
Important Booking and Usage Information
1. Ticket Notice: This product only includes the guide service and does not include the admission ticket to Tongli Ancient Town. You must purchase the ancient town combo ticket (walk-in price: 100 CNY, usually covering around 10 attractions including Tuisi Garden) in advance or on-site to participate in the activity.
2. Meeting Requirements: Please ensure that you arrive at the designated location in advance according to the time slot and meeting time confirmed in your booking. To ensure the experience for all visitors, the guide will depart on time without delay.
3. Group confirmation notice: This product is a join-in tour service. If the minimum group size is not met, customer support will contact you in advance to discuss solutions.
4. Inclusions & Exclusions
· Inclusions: Service fee for the in-depth Chinese-speaking guided tour during the selected time slot.
· Fees do not include: Tongli Ancient Town admission tickets, meals, rowing boat rides, personal expenses, and any other items not mentioned.
5. Cancellation & Changes: The specific cancellation policy is subject to the product booking page.
6. Reminders:
· The itinerary involves some walking, so please wear comfortable shoes.
· Learn about local delicacies like "Zhuangyuan Pig's Trotter", "Wa Di Crispy Cake", and "Gorgon Fruit Sweet Soup" in advance, and enjoy them during your free time.
· To experience the tranquil mornings and evenings of the ancient town, we recommend staying overnight at a unique homestay within the attraction.
