Southeast of Suzhou lies perhaps one of China's most Instagrammed attractions: the 1100-year-old Tongli water town. Once an active fishing village — the lakes surrounding Suzhou are fertile grounds for perch, shrimp and hairy crab — since 1986, when the town was opened to the public, Tongli has existed as a sort of historic amusement park, where large groups of tourists cycle through a beautiful meditation garden, line up for boat rides along tree-lined canals, and enjoy traditional performances while munching on barbecued pork parts. .
On the face, Tongli can come off as overwhelmingly touristy. But there's a layer of reality hidden beneath the town's surface. Enjoy lunch at the luxe Xishantang Buddhist vegetarian restaurant designed and created by a member of a wealthy silk industry family (design buffs should even book an overnight stay at Xishantang's luxurious sister property, the Taimuting Hotel). .
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