Unfolding the pages of history and tracing the graceful course of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, we pause to appreciate its journey through Shandong. Stretching 645 kilometers across the province, the canal passes through Liaocheng, Dongping, Jining, Zaozhuang, and other cities, showcasing the timeless legacy of this ancient waterway through its unique scenic beauty.
Liaocheng: Strolling Through the Ancient Capital of the Canal
Situated on the western plain of Shandong, Liaocheng boasts the distinctive charm of a northern water town, where the Yellow River meets the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. Often referred to as the “Venice of the North,” this historic city, with over 2,500 years of culture, invites you to walk along the canal and admire the grandeur of Guangyue Tower and the beauty of Dongchang Lake.
Or simply wander through the ancient city, observing its classic architecture and feeling the traces of time. Enclosed by Dongchang Lake on all sides and traversed by the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal from the east, the area features vast waters and picturesque scenery. One must-visit activity is climbing Guangyue Tower for a panoramic view of the city. The expansive moat, with its crystal-clear waters resembling a giant colorful ribbon, encircles the old town, while smaller lakes within the ancient district sparkle like emeralds. The shimmering waters and historic sites create a captivating scene.
Alternatively, head to Linqing in Liaocheng, home to the Big Wharf, Small Wharf, Shanxi-Shaanxi Guild Hall, Aotouji, Canal Tax Office, Sheli Pagoda, and the Linqing Section of the Huitong River. These canal heritage sites carry the history and vitality of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, showcasing their unique charm to the world.
Tips:
About Guangyue Tower
① Address: Right in the center of Liaocheng’s ancient city
② Visiting time: Approximately 1 hour
About Dongchang Lake
① Address: Liaocheng Tourism Development Group
② Visiting time: Approximately 2 hours
③ Featured attraction: Ancient City 3D Light Show. This light show uses Guangyue Tower as its canvas and employs virtual reality and 3D animation techniques to create a three-dimensional interactive projection. It highlights the historical development of Liaocheng, emphasizing its water charm and reputation as the “Phoenix City.” After three months of screenings, it attracted nearly 1 million viewers.
Take a water bus to enjoy the river and lake scenery. The Liaocheng Tourism Development Group plans to develop five passenger routes covering 32.65 kilometers of the urban Dongchang Lake and canal sections. Currently, 23 new energy-powered cruise boats are in operation, offering visitors the convenience and pleasure of traveling by water from Dongchang Lake to the ancient canal.
Dongping: The “Canal Reservoir” and “Heart of the Canal”
The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal spans 40 kilometers in Dongping County. Within this short stretch lie several key canal points, including the “Heart of the Canal” — the Dai Village Dam — and the “Canal Reservoir” — Dongping Lake.
Departing from Dongping County and traveling about 20 li east along the Daqing River, you’ll suddenly encounter the Dai Village Dam, hailed as the “Heart of the Canal.” The entire dam is built from stone, with stones intricately joined using a waist-belt clasp technique, creating a seamless and imposing structure. From afar, the dam stands powerfully and magnificently. The Dai Village Dam serves to discharge floodwaters, prevent overflow, and divert the Wen River to aid canal transport. During the Ming and Qing dynasties after its construction, the canal’s cargo volume grew year by year. Summer and autumn are the best seasons to visit the dam. During the rainy season, you can witness the impressive sight of white waves crashing and water pouring over the dam, accompanied by roaring sounds like dragons and tigers.
Known as the “Canal Reservoir,” Dongping Lake is the largest water source in the Shandong section of the Grand Canal. It was formed where the canal meets the Daqing River. Beyond its water storage function, the lake is also famed for its scenic beauty. In spring and summer, Dongping Lake is lush and green, with reeds swaying in the wetlands, fish leaping, and birds chirping. You can take a small boat and drift leisurely through the area, whether to fish, catch shrimp, admire lotuses, or pick water lilies. In the deep winter, the frozen and snow-covered lake presents a different charm — a boundless expanse of white, with black boats along the shore and misty distant mountains forming an ink-wash landscape painting.
Tips:
About Dai Village Dam Scenic Area
① Address: Dai Village Dam, Dongping County, Tai’an City
② Visiting time: Approximately 2 hours
③ Price: 30 RMB per person
④ Featured attraction: The Dam
Jining: The Canal Capital – Islands Floating in Lakes, Canals Running Through Ancient Towns
The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal runs about 230 kilometers through Jining. Once the site of the Canal Administration Office during the Ming and Qing dynasties, Jining was known as the “Canal Capital” and is the largest port city along the Shandong section of the canal. This section connects numerous scenic spots such as Nanyang Ancient Town, Nanwang Diversion Dragon King Temple, and Zhongdu Buddhist Garden, steeped in historical significance.
The vast 126-kilometer-long Weishan Lake bears the marks and presence of the Grand Canal throughout. The lake seems like an old friend the canal encountered on its journey — the canal flows alongside the lake, bringing a unique charm to Weishan. Cruising on Weishan Lake often brings to mind the lyrics “The sun is setting in the west, Weishan Lake is quiet and still…” Indeed, the serene and peaceful ambiance of the lake invites you to pause, immerse yourself, and linger.
Nanyang Ancient Town is a thousand-year-old settlement by the ancient canal on Weishan Lake. To visit Nanyang, it’s best to take a pleasure boat. Surrounded by water on all sides, the town uses the wide canal surface as its “main street” and includes various small islands within its area. The ancient Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal runs right through it. Exploring the town, you can admire long bridges over the water, lotus ponds under moonlight, enjoy local fisherman’s cuisine, and dine on imperial-style banquets while reflecting on history. The deep sense of history and time will make you never want to leave.
Tips:
About Nanyang Ancient Town Scenic Area
①Address: Nanyang Town, Weishan County, Jining City
②Business Hours: 6:00–19:00
③Featured Landscape: Grand Canal Scenery
Zaozhuang: A Water Town North of the Yangtze, an Ancient Canal City
The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal has a navigable stretch of 93.5 kilometers in Zaozhuang, marking the northernmost point of the canal’s current navigability. Within this section lies "the only remaining heritage village of the Grand Canal"—Taierzhuang. As a key town along this part of the canal, Taierzhuang was built by the water and flourished because of it. To this day, it largely preserves the ancient city layout, canals, and docks from the Ming and Qing dynasties, exuding a timeless charm. Strolling through it feels like stepping back in time.
Take a small boat to glide past streets, alleys, and bridges, listening to the lively buzz of the marketplace, the creak of wooden doors, and the sight of gray-tiled walls and mossy ancient paths. This scene perfectly matches the couplet on the Taierzhuang city gate: “Willows along the bank and bridges over the river share the moonlight of the Han Canal; the sound of oars and the glow of lanterns rival the melodies of Qinhuai’s ten-mile song.” When you grow tired from walking, you can enjoy the bold and vigorous beats of the Grand Canal Drum performance or listen to the melodious tunes of the Liuqin Opera. At night, the warm atmosphere, red lanterns, and endless colorful lights reflected on the tranquil canal create a mesmerizing and enchanting scene.
Tips:
About Taierzhuang Ancient City Scenic Area
①Address: West End of Dayamen Street, Taierzhuang District, Zaozhuang City
②Price: 160 RMB per person
③Price Description: The ticket is 160 RMB per person. Holders may enter and exit multiple times within three days with their ticket, which is activated on the day of purchase and is valid for that day only. Admission does not include shuttle services. Discounted tickets are 80 RMB per person. Periodic promotional tickets are also not inclusive of transportation and must be purchased separately (no further discounts apply to promotional tickets). Visitors purchasing half-price tickets must present valid original identification. Transportation is not included. In 2019, college students with valid ID could enter for free.
④Featured Landscape: The ancient city’s nightlife recreates the prosperity of the past with scenes of “merchants in a continuous line, fishing boats dotting the river, songs echoing for miles, and markets bustling day and night,” especially the unique charm of the “Twin Bridges Reflecting the Moon.”
The people of Shandong regard the mighty and majestic Yellow River as their mother river, and the province has long been imbued with the bold and rugged spirit of the north. Yet this millennia-old canal, which flows between north and south, adds a touch of unique charm and culture to straightforward and unpretentious Shandong, a land of crisscrossing mountains and rivers. Every town and city touched by the canal is steeped in its history and culture. Stretching over 600 kilometers, the canal continues to flow, passing through the currents of history and time, yet remains as graceful and enduringly beautiful as ever.