Cruises
Each city that the Grand Canal passes through has developed its unique cruise on the river. In different cities excellent cruise ships and boats are available to take visitors to admire the Grand Canal scenery to their heart's content. Following are some ship schedules in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces.
Cruise on the Grand Canal in Hangzhou:
Wharf: Wulinmen Dock (No. 138 of Huancheng North Road), Gongchenqiao Wharf, Xinyifang Wharf and Genshanmen Wharf in Hangzhou; South Gate Wharf (No. 8 of Renmin Road) in Suzhou.
Hydro-autobuses: 'Qianjiang' and 'Yunhe' hydro-autobuses with the length of 23 meters (76 feet) have two layers and 48 seats. The two are both well equipped. Visitors can have a wonderful view from the top of the boat.
Schedule: From 6:30 to 18:00, there will be hydro-autobus departing from Gongchenqiao Wharf and Wulinmen Wharf each 30 minutes. The hydro-autobuses usually stop at Xinyifang Wharf during the trip.
Time and Price: 3 Yuan/ person for a single trip of about 30 minutes.
Night Cruise Schedule: The cruise boat departs at 19:30 from Wulinmen Wharf to Genshanmen Wharf. After a round trip from the two wharfs, the boat will go ahead to Gongchenqiao and finally go back to Wulinmen Wharf. The whole cruise will last one hour and 40 minutes.
Cruise on the Grand Canal in Suzhou:
Wharf: Shuishang Lvyou Wharf (Xinshiqiaotu)
Buses getting to the wharf: No. 7, 70, 22, 602, 305, 47 and tourist bus 5 and 39.
Schedule: from 19：00 to 20: 30 (every 30 minutes will be one departing from the wharf)
Price: 35 Yuan/Person
Cruise on the Grand Canal between Hangzhou-Suzhou:
Wharf: Wulinmen Wharf in Hangzhou; Wharf at No. 306, Renmin Road in Suzhou (Buses to arrive: 50, 59, 65, tourist bus 2)
Schedule:
| Route | Departure Time | Arriving Time |
| Hangzhou-Suzhou | 17: 30 | 7:00 the next morning |
| Suzhou-Hangzhou | 17: 30 | 6: 30 the next morning |
Price from Hangzhou to Suzhou:
| Cruise Ship | Price of Twin Room | Price of Quad Room |
| Tiantang | 130 Yuan/Person | 88 Yuan/Person |
| Wushan | 95 Yuan/Person | 65 Yuan/Person |
| Lingshan | 78 Yuan/Person | 65 Yuan (upper layer)/Person; 55 Yuan (the first layer)/Person |
Price from Suzhou to Hangzhou:
| Cruise Ship | Price of Twin Room | Price of Quad Room |
| Wuyue | 208 Yuan/Person | 128 Yuan/Person |
| Canglang | 150 Yuan/Person | 78 Yuan/Person |
| Tiantang | 150 Yuan/Person | 98 Yuan/Person |
| Hanshan | 110 Yuan/Person | 78 Yuan/Person |
* For each passenger the above price covers one bed no matter in the twin room or quad room.
* 'Wuyue' cruise ship also has four-star room (788 Yuan/Person) and three-star room (688 Yuan/Person).
Cruise ships: 'Tiantang' is the luxurious ship cruising between Hangzhou and Suzhou. All kinds of equipment including air-conditioning, bathroom, Karaoke, bar, dance room, have been installed in the ship. The idea is to attend to every possible need of the passengers.
Cruising Time: About 14 hours.
Cruise on the Grand Canal between Hangzhou-Wuxi:
Wharf: Wulinmen Wharf in Hangzhou
Schedule: The cruise ship departs from Hangzhou at 18:00 and arrives at Wuxi at 8:00 next morning. At 17:30, it returns Hangzhou.
Cruise ships: 'Longjing' cruise ship is well equipped, like 'Tiantang' cruise ship. In addition, there is a sightseeing platform at the back of the ship. 'Hupao' is also an excellent ship cruising between the two cities.
Price from Hangzhou to Wuxi: 114 Yuan/ Person for double room and 82 Yuan/ Person for quad room.
Note: 1. The schedule and price may be changed in different tourist seasons and during the festivals. Please check the detailed information at the local wharf.
2. Ticket booking for ships cruising between Hangzhou-Suzhou and Hangzhou-Wuxi: Tickets can be booked up to 2 hours before departing time. In the high season, tickets should be booked well in advance.
3. Besides the above route, there are more routes on the Grand Canal. Cruise ships from Yangzhou to Suzhou and from Yangzhou to Zhenjiang etc. are also available.
Related links:
Grand Canal
Note: We are sorry that the booking service for this cruise is not available at present.
Copyright© 1998-2009 TravelChinaGuide.com, All rights reserved.
Travelers' Voices on Grand Canal Cruise Schedule
1.
Sep. 19,2009 04:22 Reply
Mrs.inge woudstra(netherlands) said:
if i understand correctly, there are no boats left between suzhou and hangzhou, or the other way around? we'll be there in october and would like to make the boattrip. does anyone know for sure?
Sep. 19,2009 20:15
Mr.hello replied:
Hi, as far as I know, the cruise between Suzhou and Hangzhou has already stopped for the bad business.
2.
Aug. 21,2009 23:56 Reply
Mr.SpongeBob SquarePants(you dont wanna know) said:
Can anybody tell me the FACTUAL information if the cruise from Hangzhou to Suzhou is in operation or not?
Aug. 22,2009 20:28
Mr.Leo replied:
I'm sorry to tell you the cruise from Hangzhou to Suzhou is already stopped.
3.
Jun. 25,2009 13:48 Reply
Ms.Bree(Netherlands) said:
i am looking into a boat trip (no need for a real cruise ship) from Suzhou to either Zhenjiang or Yangzhou. Could some one help me with information? thanks!
Jun. 27,2009 03:19
Mr.Derek(China) replied:
As I know, the ferry between Zhenjiang and Yangzhou is available. You can take the City Bus No. 10 from Zhenjiang Railway Station to the dock. The ferry from Zhenjiang to Yangzhou costs CNY3.
4.
May. 13,2009 10:03 Reply
Ms.hui(hong kong) said:
Can anyone confirm that the canal cruises are indeed out of business? if that is not the case, Is it better to take the boat from Yangzhou to Suzhou, or from Suzhou to Hangzhou?
Jun. 26,2009 04:41
Ms.Yuan(China) replied:
There are no cruise ships from Yangzhou to Hangzhou. You should transfer to Suzhou and then go to Hangzhou by ship.
5.
Mar. 30,2009 11:51 Reply
Mr.Antonio Perry(Port) said:
I would like to travel on 14/05/09 from Suzhou to Hangzhou on Grand Canal Cruise.
Please let me have schedule,price and inform if it is possible to book on line
May. 5,2009 02:37
Mr.Jon replied:
My friends in Suzhou told me that this route has been stopped, but I don't know why.
6.
May. 1,2009 14:36 Reply
Mrs.CADENE(France) said:
can you tell me if it is possible to board the cruise in Jiaxing to Suzhou and what would be the schedule.
Thanks in advance for the answer.
May. 5,2009 02:36
Mr.Fu replied:
I'm sorry that it is not possible to board this route. I heard that the cruise has been stopped running.