Follow a historic waterway that connected trade, communities and culture across China.
A World Heritage waterway
The Grand Canal was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2014. Its development stretches across many periods: early sections began in the fifth century BCE, with major expansion under the Sui dynasty.
It is a network built and adapted over time, rather than a single canal completed between modern Beijing and Hangzhou on one date.
The canal in Hangzhou
Explore the waterside around Gongchen Bridge and the canal’s historic neighbourhoods. Museums and walking routes offer a view of the crafts, transport and commerce associated with the waterway.
A different pace
Combine a canal walk with tea, a museum visit or a boat journey when available. Check the current boarding point, destination and return options before buying a ticket. Evening views offer a different atmosphere from the lake.
