The Hangzhou Section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal (Canal Scenic Area)

The Hangzhou Section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal (Canal Scenic Area)

The Hangzhou Section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal (Canal Scenic Area) is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hangzhou is located at the southernmost end of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. The Hangzhou section of the canal boasts the richest historical relics and the deepest cultural heritage along the entire waterway.

The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal was first excavated during the Spring and Autumn Period and has a history of over 2,400 years. Stretching across four provinces and two municipalities from north to south, it spans a total length of 1,794 kilometers, making it the longest, largest in scale, and most historically significant canal in the world. This is a precious material and spiritual legacy left to us by our ancestors, a living and flowing important human heritage. The Grand Canal is a golden calling card for Hangzhou tourism and also a classic destination for experiencing the culture of the Jiangnan water towns. The canal flows through the prosperous and elegant lands of Qiantang, recording the rise and fall of Hangzhou’s ancient capital and the everyday charm of its white-walled, black-tiled neighborhoods. Whether you’re hiking, boating, cycling, or simply taking a rest, you can feel the refined yet unpretentious weight of history along the Hangzhou Canal and admire the ubiquitous elegance along its banks.

On June 22, 2014, the Grand Canal of China was officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Source: Jinhua Portal Website