Grand Canal
The Grand Canal is one of the oldest artificial waterways in the world. Beginning in Hangzhou and reaching as far north as Beijing, the canal is approximately 2,700 kilometers long. Begun 2,500 years ago, the canal was vital to the circulation of goods and exchange of cultures between north and south China. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014. In ancient times, Hangzhou flourished as a hub on the Grand Canal to transport grain and supply the military. The canal eventually transformed the city into a major trading port. From 2001 to 2012, Hangzhou implemented a project to protect and restore areas along the banks of the canal. Now one of the best preserved sections, this area boasts a wealth of cultural sites. Not only does the Grand Canal offer opportunities to appreciate history and culture, and participate in tourism and leisure activities, it still functions as a bustling shipping canal. 
Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal (Hangzhou section) stretches from south of Jiaxing, in the north and to the Qiantang River in the south, with a total length of about 56 kilometers, running through 4 urban areas of Yuhang, Gongshu, Xiacheng and Jianggan. In 2002, Hangzhou municipal Party committee and municipal government officially launched the comprehensive renovation and protection development project for Hangzhou section of the Grand Canal, to enhance the overall upgrading and reconstruction on water quality, landscape, bridges, roads, streets, ancient buildings, etc. Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal (Hangzhou section), on both sides, has formed a gold line for culture and leisure experience promenade and water tourism, with natural ecological landscape as the core, and its historic street blocks, cultural parks, museums, temples and nunneries, heritage sites as the important node.
(Source: Hangzhou Canal Comprehensive Protection Committee)
- Add：The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal (Hangzhou section) starts from Tangqi, Yuhang District in the north, and reaches Qiantang River in the south. It flows through four districts in Hangzhou: Yuhang, Gongshu, Xiacheng and Jianggan.
- Tel：
- Transportation：Take No. 591, No.61, No.70 or No.95 bus in the urban area of Hangzhou, and get off at Canal Square Stop. Then take Hangzhou Water Bus (Canal Line): Pu Jia Wharf – Gen Shan Men Wharf – Wu Lin Men Wharf – Xin Yi Fang Wharf – Gong Chen Qiao Wharf.
Source：www.ywhangzhou.cn Editor：XU Jiawei
