The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal

The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, also known as the Grand Canal, starts from Beijing to Hangzhou and flows through four provinces and two cities, 1794 kilometers in total. The Grand Canal was firstly excavated about 2,500 years ago during the Spring and Autumn Period of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770 BC-206 BC). The Grand Canal is the oldest and the longest canal in the world.

The Grand Canal was built in ancient China but is still used today and remains an important part of China's cultural heritage. For size and grandeur, the Grand Canal equals the Great Wall of China and is considered to be one of the most magnificent projects of the ancient world. 

The Hangzhou section at the canal's southern end has numerous monuments of historical and cultural significance. The Hangzhou government has devoted much time and effort in maintaining water quality, bridges, roads, and ancient streets and buildings along the Grand Canal. Thanks to the public and the government’s efforts, the Hangzhou segment of the Grand Canal is a must-see tourist destination for visitors who wish to experience southern Chinese culture.

Whether on foot or by boat, you can enjoy the beauty of the Grand Canal. The picturesque views invite locals and tourists alike to relax near its banks. Strolling, riding a bike or just taking a leisurely nap, you can truly sense the life alongside the canal.

Some parts of the Grand Canal are not navigable, but the Jiangsu-Zhejiang portion is open for cruises; its beautiful scenery and many historical sites make it a popular tourist route. On June 22, 2014, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal was officially admitted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Hangzhou section of the Grand Canal (Canal area) was noted as a national 4A level scenic resort.