Hangzhou Grand Canal

Hangzhou Section of Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal is located in Gongshu District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province. It is an open linear scenic area with Wulinmen Wharf to Shi Xiang Road as the core section. The total length from north to south is about 7.3 kilometers, and the width from east to west ranges from 500 meters to 1,000 meters, with a total area of 4.1 square kilometers. 

The Grand Canal(Hangzhou Section) is a cultural corridor with natural ecological landscape as the core axis, connecting heritage sites, historical blocks, temples, cultural parks and museums in series, and it is also a fascinating golden route for water tourism.

The Grand Canal (Hangzhou section) starts from Linping Tangqi in the north and reaches Qiantang River in the south, and flows through Linping District, Yuhang District, Gongshu District, Shangcheng District, Binjiang District and Xiaoshan District. There are 11 different types of heritage sites of the Hangzhou Grand Canal.
 

What to See at the Grand Canal

Qiaoxi Historical and Cultural Block

Qiaoxi Historical and Cultural Block retains the historical charm of the Grand Canal, and the cultural relics, historical buildings, industrial heritage and historical landscape have been protected, restored and revitalized. More than 300 local residents live by the river, and young makers, inheritors of intangible cultural heritage and artists gather here. The establishment of the Arts and Crafts Museum Group has injected new vitality into Qiaoxi Historical and Cultural Block. Qiaoxi Historical and Cultural Block not only adds a beautiful cultural landscape along the Grand Canal, but also becomes a bridge connecting the past, present and the future, tradition and modernity, and has become a cultural landmark of the Grand Canal that is deeply loved by the public.

China Umbrella Museum

Opening hours: 9:00-16:30(Closed on Mondays)

China Umbrella Museum is located in the Qiaoxi Historical and Cultural Block near the Gongchen Bridge and the Grand Canal(Hangzhou Section). China Umbrella Museum is the first museum with theme of fan in the world. At the China Umbrella Museum, you can know about the origin of umbrellas, techniques of oil paper umbrella and West Lake Chou Umbrella, umbrella culture, developments of umbrellas and umbrella industry. At the China Umbrella Museum, you can know about the process of umbrella making and experience it.
 

China Fan Museum

Fan is a popular traditional element in China, which can be very exquisite and beautiful, which can be combined with Chinese calligraphy and Chinese painting. China Fan Museum is located in the Qiaoxi Historical and Cultural Block. At the China Fan Museum, you can learn about the origins and history of Chinese fan, fan culture in China, fan industry in China and fan making techniques in China. If you are interested in Chinese fans, you should not miss the China Fan Museum in Hangzhou. 
 

Gongchen Bridge

With a length of 98 meters and width of 16 meters, Gongchen Bridge(拱宸桥) is the longest and tallest ancient bridge in Hangzhou. Gongchen Bridge is a landmark of the Grand Canal and Hangzhou, which witnessed the prosperity of Qiantang since ancient times. Standing on the Gongchen Bridge, you can look far into the distance of the Grand Canal, see the buildings on the both sides of the Grand Canal and the boats on the Grand Canal. Nowadays, we can not only see craftsmen show all kinds of skills of intangible cultural heritage, but also experience them personally.

Xiangji Temple

Xiangji Temple(香积寺) is the only temple located in the center of Hangzhou, is also the first temple that entered Hangzhou through the Grand Canal in ancient times, witnessing the prosperity of Hangzhou. Its West Pagoda is the only remaining Buddhist Pagoda in the Qing Dynasty in Hangzhou. As the only temple dedicated to the Kitchen God in China, the vegetarian foods at Xiangji Temple are worth trying. During the Spring Festival, Lingyin Temple is full of tourists, many locals choose to pray in Xiangji Temple. Xiangji Temple is located at the Dadou Road Historic and Cultural District along the Grand Canal, you can stroll around the Dadou Road Historic and Cultural District and taste the local foods and snacks.
 

Guangji Bridge

Guangji Bridge(广济桥), also known as Bitian Bridge and Tongji Bridge, is the only remaining seven-hole stone arch bridge on the ancient canal. Guangji Bridge is the center of Tangqi Ancient Town. There are Shuibei Street and historical blocks beside Guangji Bridge, where you can know about the history of the ancient town and the canal. And the Shuinan Street is modern and prosperous. Beside the Guangji Bridge, you can know about the stories of the historical figures on the Grand Canal. 
 

How to Explore the Grand Canal in Hangzhou

Taking the water bus Line 1 is the best way to explore the Grand Canal in Hangzhou. The Hangzhou Grand Canal Water Bus starts from Yunhe Tianti Station and ends in Pu Jia Station. You can also embark on the Gongchen Bridge East Station after visiting the Gongchen Bridge.

At the Yunhe Tianti Station, you can visit the Xiaohe Zhi Street, which is the typical water town of south of the Yangtze River. At the Xiaohe Zhi Street, you can experience the charm of the water town in Jiangnan(south of the Yangtze River).

At the Gongchen Bridge East Station, you can visit the Qiaoxi Historic and Cultural Block and Gongchen Bridge. From the Gongchen Bridge, you can go to the China Umbrella Museum, China Fan Museum and China Knives & Scissors & Swords Museum, where you can know about the umbrella culture and industry of China.

At the Xinyifang Station, you can visit the Dadou Road Historic Block, where you can taste the delicious foods and snacks of Hangzhou.