Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal Scenery

Grand Canal Scenery

There are many famous tourist cities scatted along the Grand Canal, including Jining, Xuzhou, Huai'an, Yangzhou, Wuxi, Suzhou, and Hangzhou. No matter in which city, the Grand Canal is picturesque with its banks full of cultural relics.

In Zaozhuang, Shandong, the Grand Canal passes Weishanhu Lake and forms a marvellous sight. In the lake, there is the river; and in the river, there is the lake. Here, visitors can see men fishing, casting their nets into the river on the boats floating on the lake. Some of them are angling at ease and some are driving cormorants sitting in their boats. It is a place where visitors can have a look at the oldest way of fishing.

In Huai'an, Jiangsu, there is an ancient wharf, and the museum reflects the Grand Canal's water transportation history. The spectacular scene of the Grand Canal, the old Yellow River and Huaihe River meeting together is also within the view.

In Yangzhou, Jiangsu, there is a spectacular scene formed as the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal meet. Lots of historical relics and human landscapes are found scatted along the banks of the Canal. The Shuidou Gate and Dongguan Ancient Ferry are the witnesses of the ancient harbour. There are also irrigation works and the buildings of Yangzhou, and the housing of the merchants dealing with salt business such as the Ge Garden can be admired.

In Suzhou, Jiangsu, visitors can travel along in a painted boat and appreciate the Grand Canal scenery for about 16 kilometres. There are ten land and water city gates, together with eighteen ancient bridges, to greet visitors cruising along the river.

Hangzhou Section Scenery: Landscapes along the Grand Canal in Hangzhou section provide numerous sceneries and can be admired. Among them there are the newly-built China Grand Canal Museum, two landscape belts along the banks of the Grand Canal; two squares - the West Lake Cultural Square and the Grand Canal Cultural Square; three parks - Genshan Park, Qingsha Park and Beixing Park, and six bridge ports and fifteen bridges.

The China Grand Canal Museum, which opened to visitors on Oct. 1st, 2006, is the first museum in China with the theme of the Grand Canal. The Genshan Park is featured with the waterscape, while Qingsha Park presents the traditional streets to visitors. The mysterious Beixing Park brings out the best scene, with the adjacent Grand Canal Cultural Square. The fifteen bridges over the Grand Canal are very characteristic, with each full of its unique scene, especially at night. Visitors can also have a look at the site of Fuyi Granary, which is the famous granary in the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) in Hangzhou.

A visitor can admire the moon of the West Lake, the tidewater of the Qiantang River, and boating on the Grand Canal. This is a fantastic evening in Hangzhou.