The Grand Canal

History

The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal is the world's longest and oldest man-made waterway — an engineering marvel that predates the Industrial Revolution by over a millennium. Construction began in the 5th century BC, and by the 13th century the canal stretched 1,776 kilometers from Beijing in the north to Hangzhou in the south, connecting the Yellow River and the Yangtze River and creating a water highway that moved grain, silk, and ideas across the empire.

Hangzhou is the southern terminus of the canal, and for centuries it was the wealthiest city in the world largely because of the canal trade. Grain from the fertile south was shipped north to feed the imperial capital, while silk, tea, and porcelain from Hangzhou traveled the same route in reverse. The canal transformed Hangzhou from a provincial town into the glittering capital of the Southern Song Dynasty and the city Marco Polo described as "beyond dispute the finest and noblest in the world."

In 2014, UNESCO inscribed the Grand Canal as a World Heritage Site, recognizing it as "the greatest masterpiece of hydraulic engineering in the history of mankind." While much of the northern canal has silted up or been replaced by modern waterways, the Hangzhou section remains vibrant and navigable.

What to See in Hangzhou

Gongchen Bridge (拱宸桥)

The crown jewel of the Hangzhou canal section. This 400-year-old stone arch bridge was built in 1631 during the Ming Dynasty and is the tallest and best-preserved ancient bridge on the entire Grand Canal. Its elegant triple-arch design is illuminated at night, and the reflection in the water creates a perfect circle — one of the most photogenic spots in Hangzhou. The bridge is still in use, carrying pedestrians across the canal in the historic Gongshu District.

Canal Culture Square

A modern plaza on the east bank of the canal featuring the impressive Grand Canal Museum (free admission). The museum tells the story of the canal through interactive exhibits, scale models of ancient lock systems, and artifacts recovered from the waterway. The square itself is a popular gathering place for locals, especially in the evening when families come to walk, dance, and fly kites.

Xiaohe Zhi Street (小河直街)

A beautifully restored historic street running alongside a narrow canal branch. Whitewashed buildings with black-tiled roofs house independent cafes, craft shops, and small galleries. It is far less touristy than Hefang Street and has a genuine neighborhood feel. The street is especially atmospheric in the evening when red lanterns are lit and reflected in the water.

Canal Cruises

Seeing the Grand Canal from the water is the best way to appreciate its scale and atmosphere.

Cruise Type	Route	Price	Duration
Night Cruise	Wulinmen Dock to Gongchen Bridge and return	¥120	~1 hour
Day Cruise	Wulinmen to Gongchen Bridge	¥50	~40 min
Water Bus	Multiple stops along the canal	¥3	Varies

The night cruise is the standout experience. Departing from Wulinmen Dock in the city center, the boat glides past illuminated historic buildings, under the floodlit arches of Gongchen Bridge, and through the atmospheric canal-side neighborhoods. The commentary is in Chinese, but the visuals need no translation. Book tickets at the dock or through your hotel — advance booking is recommended on weekends.

For a more local experience, the water bus (¥3) is a public transport service that stops at multiple docks along the canal. It is slower and less comfortable than the tourist cruise, but it gives you a glimpse of everyday canal life — barges carrying construction materials, fishermen on the banks, and locals commuting between neighborhoods.