4. Tongli ancient town 同里古鎮 Tongli, which belongs to Wujiang in Jiangsu Province, is located along the bank of Tai Lake, it is 80 kilometers away from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport and 18 km south away from Suzhou. 同里隸屬江蘇省吳江市,位於太湖之畔,距上海虹橋機場80公里,蘇州之南18公里。 同里,舊稱“富土”,唐初,因其名太侈,改爲“銅里”,宋代,又將舊名“富土”兩字相疊,上去點,中橫斷,拆字爲“同里”,沿用至今。 Tongli ancient town with beautiful scenery is divided into 7 small islands by 15 rivers arranged like the Chinese character “川”connected by 49 ancient bridges, making these islands an integrated area. The architectures built by riverside, famous for “small bridges, flowing stream and thatched households”, make Tongli ancient town the best-reserved ancient town by riverside as well as the key cultural relics protection unit, which has been listed as one of 13 scenic spots of Tai Lake.同里古鎮風景優美,鎮外四面環水,鎮區被川字形的15條小河分隔 成七個小島,而49座古橋又將小島串爲一個整體。建築依水而立, 以“小橋流水人家”著稱,是目前江蘇省保存最爲完整的水鄉古鎮 ,也是重點文物保護單位,已列爲太湖十三大景區之一。
39. Taiping Bridge 太平橋 Jili Bridge 吉利橋 Three bridgessymbolize auspiciousness and happiness 三橋在同里人的心中,象徵著吉祥和幸福 Changqing Bridge 長慶橋
40. Walking across three bridges 走三橋 Three bridges indicate Taiping Bridge, Jili Bridge and Changqing Bridge which are arranged in a triangle at the convergences of three rivers, forming ring roads in the town. Tongli people like walking across the three bridges. If someone celebrates marriage, the celebration group will walk across the three bridges full of joy accompanied by hilarious drum music and fireworks, praying aloud,“ peace, auspiciousness and everlasting happiness!” and residents along the street will come out to view the occasion, extending their congratulations; if old people celebrate their 66-year-old birthday, they will certainly walk across the three bridges after lunch for auspiciousness. It is unknown to all when the custom of “walking across three bridges” started, but for Tongli people, three bridges symbolize auspiciousness and happiness. 三橋是指太平橋、吉利橋和長慶橋,在三條河的的合流處排列成一個三角形,在鎮上形成環鎮道路。同里的人喜歡走三橋。如果有人婚慶,慶祝的人們充滿著歡樂,在伴隨著熱鬧的鼓樂和鞭炮聲中走三橋,口中大聲叫著「太平,吉利,長慶!」,沿街居民紛紛出來觀看,並且道喜祝賀;凡逢老人慶祝66歲生日,午餐後他們一定會去走三橋,以圖吉祥。「走三橋」的習俗何年形成難以查考,但三橋在同里人的心中,象徵著吉祥和幸福。
69. Tuisi Garden 退思園 退思園,帶有清朝花園的特色,是一個典型的江南古典園林。中國庭園設計家陳從冑認為 退思園建成“水濱花園”的靈感,和來自孔子的“仁者樂山,智者樂水”有關。深厚文化內涵的退思園,再加上歷史悠久的同里,使遊客陷入幻思和啟示。 2001年,退思園被列為世界文化遺產。 Tuisi Garden, with the characteristics of garden of Qing dynasty, is a classic work of Jiangnan classical garden. Chinese landscaper Chen Congzhou regards Tuisi Garden as “Waterside Garden” inspired by “The wise find pleasure in water; the virtuous find pleasure in hills” of Confucius. The profound cultural connotation of Tuisi Garden, together with the long history of Tongli, makes tourists fall into reverie and enlightenment. In 2001, Tuisi Garden was listed as world’s Cultural Heritage.