Tongli Hongdou Villa: A Hidden Family Paradise in Jiangnan Water Town

“Jiangnan is good, the scenery I once knew well.” In September, Jiangnan finally sheds the summer swelter; a soft, cool breeze whispers, making everything incredibly comfortable—the perfect season for a trip.

My first impression of Tongli Hongdou Villa was a poetic Jiangnan water town. From winding rivers and lakes to serene garden paths, every corner reveals an exquisite, graceful beauty. Our two-day, one-night stay here brought far more joy than I had imagined. The sun was just right, the breeze gentle. Waking quietly in Hongdou Xiaoshe, strolling through forest flower seas, chasing family moments on the broad lawn, riding the little train to Heart Island, and tying a wish ribbon before the ancient red bean tree...

**First Glimpse of Tongli Hongdou Villa: New East China Landmark, the Little Red Canton Tower**

“Drive, drive to the edge of the city, roll all the windows down.” On a crisp autumn morning, we left Hangzhou, the warm breeze accompanying us, our favorite songs playing in the car. The whole family was laughing, and in just two hours we arrived at our destination—Tongli Hongdou Villa. The villa is located in Furong Village, Guli Town, Changshu City, Jiangsu Province, right next to a highway exit, making it easily accessible. Though it had only been open a few days, it was already bustling with visitors, a testament to its appeal and variety of attractions.

Tongli Hongdou Villa also has a long history. Originally called Biwu Villa, it was first built in the late Song and early Yuan dynasties. Over centuries of change, the old structures were all but destroyed, but a single ancient red bean tree survived. The newly rebuilt estate thus took the name Tongli Hongdou (Red Bean) Villa.

Inside the villa, there are several ways to get around. You can take a fun little train, rent an electric car, hop on a shuttle, or simply walk—though walking isn’t recommended because the grounds are quite large and tiring, especially with kids. Renting an electric car is the most convenient for families.

The first stop at Tongli Hongdou Villa has to be the Little Red Canton Tower, sitting just to the left of the entrance, a short walk away. Before you reach it, you’ll cross a vast stretch of grass—the Romantic Lawn. For Yunbao, lawns are where her true nature comes alive: we could hold hands and stroll, chase each other laughing, or take a photo with the park’s cute mascot. Crossing the lawn brings you to the Little Red Canton Tower, named for its resemblance to Guangzhou’s iconic Canton Tower. Since opening, it’s become a new East China amusement landmark, standing 66 meters tall. You take an elevator to the second floor, which is the 66-meter-high platform where almost all the fun happens.

Up on the high platform, the variety of activities surprised me: a glass skywalk, bungee jumping, a sky swing, and a slide barrel. The slide barrel delighted me the most—you put on protective gear and a helmet, then slip down from the platform, winding around the tower. Yunbao kept telling me she wanted to try it too.

That high platform is a realm of joy: gaze out over endless Jiangnan scenery, then plunge into thrilling rides. The sky swing—once strapped in, the seat rises under magnetic force, then the sudden release sends you hurtling downward as if you’ll hit the ground, only to be yanked into the sky. In that instant at the apex, a shout echoes between heaven and earth, and all your worries vanish. Bungee or swing, it takes courage and a forward-leaping spirit.

The glass waterslide is a must-do family activity at the Little Red Canton Tower. You walk down one floor from the high platform. The slide stretches 1,314 meters. Wearing a raincoat, my wife and I sat front and back with Yunbao in the middle, and off we went. The slide is covered with colorful protective layers that are both beautiful and safe. Yunbao’s joyful shrieks echoed at every bend.

Besides the high platform, the Little Red Canton Tower also has a Rainbow Slide, right next to the end of the waterslide. It’s basically a giant slide, and as soon as Yunbao saw it, she couldn’t wait to sit on a rubber ring. The slope is very gentle, so even small children can enjoy it safely, though the tiniest ones need to ride with a parent. Yunbao slid down with me, laughing and pointing at the colorful track, saying how pretty it was.

**Family Fun Moments, All at Tongli Hongdou Villa**

Tongli Hongdou Villa is an outstanding family destination in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai, with abundant parent-child facilities where you can fully enjoy quality time together. Cai Feng Die Wu Naughty Camp is one of the villa’s prime family zones, nestled among trees. As soon as Yunbao walked in, she was captivated by the cute cartoon characters and play equipment.

The Bee-Themed Spinning Cups were the first thing she tried. Though she’d done such rides before, the bee figures everywhere made her especially delighted, so my wife and she went together. As the cups spun, Yunbao’s smile grew wider. The rope net challenge was something she’d also experienced elsewhere, but here it was creatively combined with a slide, sparking her interest even more.

Even though I’d taken Yunbao to plenty of playgrounds, this was the first time she actively wanted to climb the rope net by herself. Watching her climb higher step by step filled my heart with joy. After playing, we rested in the open area of the camp, where a brightly painted food truck offered snacks to refuel.

Another hit at the camp was the sand pit, filled with clean white fine sand and equipped with mini excavators and toys. Yunbao can never resist sand, and she had a blast there.

Tongli Hongdou Villa doesn’t just offer rides; it also has adorable animals that kids love. The variety is impressive: alpacas munching food, rabbits dozing in cages, little pigs running around their pen, peacocks strolling under the trees. You can even feed them yourself.

The villa also introduces a new way to explore: the Canyon Train. Garden trains aren’t rare, but this straddle-style train was a first for me. The vintage European-style train is a children’s favorite. Parents and kids climb aboard, and when the whistle blows, a special journey begins. The train rolls out of the station, winding through dense woods at a leisurely pace perfect for savoring the scenery. When the breeze blows, you sense the beauty of leaves falling at five centimeters per second. The train follows tracks laid through a cherry forest. Yunbao and my wife sat in the front seat, and she was thrilled by her first straddle-train ride.

There’s also an exciting parent-child experience: Jungle Adventure, hidden in a dense grove. A sign of entwined vines reads “Jungle Adventure,” and a pathway leads to the activity area. It features obstacle courses for both adults and children.

With staff help, we put on harnesses, grabbed the steel cables, and stepped onto the platforms, moving forward along the route. It was a journey of challenge—testing strength, courage, and determination—and also a wonderful lesson, as parents lead by example.

**Endless Jiangnan Beauty at Tongli Hongdou Villa**

Apart from the Little Red Canton Tower, there’s another internet-famous spot: Love Confession Island, a place of ultimate romance. When my drone flew overhead, I understood why: the whole island is heart-shaped, with a white chapel in the middle. To reach it, you cross a uniquely eye-catching bright red bridge. In Chinese tradition, red means celebration, luck, and romance. This is the bridge of romance; couples crossing it hand in hand to the island is a must-do.

The poetic Jiangnan water landscape is the villa’s original charm, from secluded forest paths to winding rivers and lakes—every scene a breathtaking gift of Jiangnan. Near the island are more experiences, like the kids’ favorite Scream Spring or a relaxed boat ride.

Jiangnan is famous for its gardens, especially Suzhou’s. At Tongli Hongdou Villa, Water Street is a perfect spot to enjoy such scenery. Stepping in, the city’s noise fell away: green trees, river, lotus ponds, old lanes... it felt like Tao Yuanming’s “Peach Blossom Spring.”

You must visit the ancient red bean tree. When I brought Yunbao there, she pointed and said, “What a big tree!” A decade for a tree, a century for a person; this towering red bean tree has a long history. While the villa’s old buildings crumbled over time, the tree survived, making it a cherished place for visitors to pray.

Tongli Hongdou Villa boasts not only picturesque scenery but also a rich cultural heritage. Next to the ancient tree are two exhibition halls: Taixian Pavilion and Qian Liu Memorial Hall. Focusing on the love story of Qian Qianyi and Liu Rushi in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, modern multimedia brings to life their legendary romance—meeting by West Lake, pledging love at Banyetang, causing a stir on the Lotus Boat, living happily at Wowei Chamber, composing poetry at Jiangyun Tower, and growing old together at Hongdou Villa.

As a scenic spot combining internet sensations with cultural depth, the Baimao Folk Song Museum is also a must-see. Changshu is a cradle of Wu culture and a national historical city, and Baimao Mountain Songs are a prime example of Wu culture, listed among China’s first intangible cultural heritages. Entering the museum, Yunbao was drawn to projection animations on walls and floor that tell the origin and development of Baimao folk songs. The museum also uses recreated scenes, performance props, and historical documents to showcase the songs’ charm. The building itself merges classic Jiangnan garden elements—pavilions, bridges, and flowing water—into a retreat you won’t want to leave.

**Tongli Hongdou Villa at Night: The Little Red Canton Tower’s Spectacular Transformation**

Most visitors come for a day trip and leave before sunset, missing another magnificent moment. As the sun sets and dusk deepens, the lake breeze grows cooler. Locals gather on the square in front of the villa, waiting for the Little Red Canton Tower’s dazzling transformation.

“The setting sun is infinitely beautiful, yet dusk is near.” Sitting under a willow by the lake, I kept recalling the lovely melody of that song. If you choose to stay overnight, the Romantic Boathouse is your best choice. The boathouse lights and the vast sunset together reflected on the lake, creating an absolutely stunning view.

If the daytime Little Red Canton Tower is thrilling and cool, its nighttime transformation is brilliantly colorful. When darkness falls, the tower and its rides light up with color-changing lights. From the tower itself to the high platform and even the over-1,300-meter glass slide, the lights shimmer in ever-shifting hues, an astonishing and glorious night scene.

In my heart, a quiet hope persists. I yearn for a kind of happiness; countless missed chances, countless glances back, all just to find a warm home for my soul...

A perfect trip needs a great place to stay, and to enjoy Tongli Hongdou Villa to the fullest, I highly recommend staying inside the park. Since the villa is in the suburbs, driving from downtown takes a while, so staying on-site is best. The park has well-equipped accommodation and dining, with plenty of choices. We stayed at Hongdou Xiaoshe.

Hongdou Xiaoshe sits near the visitor center, which means it’s closer to the parking lot and restaurants than the other guesthouses, offering greater convenience. It has two floors, with courtyard-style rooms lined with bamboo fences, white walls and gray tiles, and garden greenery—a truly evocative setting.

Another guesthouse is located within the Baimao Folk Song Museum; just hearing its name evokes strong Jiangnan flavor. Outside the windows are natural lake views and thoughtfully designed gardens. Inside, the rooms are equipped to star-hotel standards: separate wet and dry bathrooms, custom toiletries, and distinctive decor that impresses at first glance.

The villa offers many accommodation options, but the top recommendation is undoubtedly the Romantic Boathouse. Perched by the lake, its shape resembles a traditional Jiangnan boat. Staying there isolates you from city noise, letting you immerse in lush nature and dreamlike poetic Jiangnan.

Our two-day, one-night journey at Tongli Hongdou Villa brought far more joy than I had imagined. The sun was just right, the breeze gentle. Waking quietly in Hongdou Xiaoshe, strolling through forest flower seas, chasing family moments on the big lawn, riding the little train to Heart Island, tying a wish ribbon at the ancient red bean tree... As night fell, we slept in the Romantic Boathouse, the Little Red Canton Tower sparkling with colored lights—serene years and boundless beauty.