Tongli Ancient Town in Suzhou! Had a blast without even planning ahead

We stepped into slow living early by taking a boat ride first - so many photos taken! The feeling of touring the ancient town by boat with gentle breezes is simply indescribable, so incredibly relaxing~ Tongli isn't overly commercialized, with many foreign visitors, perfect for aimless wandering. We met a refined grandpa who returned to the ancient town after retirement to make traditional tea snacks; found a lovely cultural creative shop where we bought our favorite incense sticks, with the kind owner gifting us a hand-drawn map of the town; even the bamboo cup milk tea surprisingly tasted great without disappointment. These delightful little surprises during travel are experiences that commercialized scenic spots can't offer. Tongli is like a Jiangnan dream forgotten by time - with curved bridges, slanting alleys, and even the wind carries the gentleness of Wu dialect whispers. . The lattice windows of Tuisi Garden frame the four seasons, while the carved gatehouse of Imperial Censor Chen's residence still tells the legend of Fang Qing and Chen Cui'e from "The Pearl Pagoda". . Without Wuzhen's crowds, it preserves more authentic local charm.