In feng shui, curved lines ward off evil spirits, and the reflection of the half-circle of this Moon Bridge (fig.) in the water, forms a perfect full circle, which —akin to Chinese Moon Gates (fig.)— represents heaven and is a symbol for perpetuity, without a beginning nor end.

This picturesque village of Tongli, located on the outskirts of Suzhou, is known for its network of canals and is sometimes referred to as Little Venice or Venice of the East, a title claimed by many other places that are similar in nature.

In this community there are many traditional roofed houses,  as well as a number of remarkable museums, including the peculiar China Sex Museum (fig.). As is common in many parks and gardens in China, the village also features several weeping willows.

Those are Chinese symbols for charity, dreaminess and femininity, as the motion of their branches in the wind are reminiscent of the sweeping skirts of the women of the past when walking. They are also believed to ward off evil spirits and their twigs should hang over the door of a new home.

As in Venice, visitors and tourists can make a canal tour in a flat-bottomed rowing boat, powered and steered similarly to the gondola. The village is a total car free zone, so pedestrians can stroll around without having to worry about traffic.

Avoiding also noise pollution only bicycles and silent electric scooters are allowed.