Historical Site
Grand Canal (Hangzhou Section)
Hangzhou, China
3-4 hours
About
It is a national AAAA-level scenic area, witnessing centuries of prosperous canal transportation and water town civilisation. The scenic belt stretches from Wulinmen Wharf northwards to Gongchen Bridge, connecting multiple historic neighbourhoods. Core landmarks include Gongchen Bridge, Qiaoxi Historic Block, Xiaohe Straight Street, Dadou Road Historic Block, Xiangji Temple and Fuyi Granary. A cluster of thematic museums gathers beside the canal, such as China Grand Canal Museum, China Knives, Scissors & Swords Museum, China Umbrella Museum and China Fan Museum.
Visitors can wander along waterfront greenways, take affordable water buses or antique cruise boats to appreciate riverside scenery. It integrates ancient bridge architecture, canal folk culture, intangible heritage exhibition and slow urban leisure, and is a favourite destination for city walks, Hanfu photography and night sightseeing in Hangzhou.
Travel Tips
- Metro Line 3 serves Xiangji Temple Station, Metro Line 5 reaches Dayunhe Station near Gongchen Bridge
- Wear comfortable flat shoes; bluestone roads become slippery after rainfall
- All canal-themed museums close every Monday (except public holidays)
- Carry a light outerwear; river wind can be strong in the evening especially during night tours
- Do not climb on ancient stone carvings of Gongchen Bridge to protect cultural relics
- Keep away from unguarded river edges and follow safety rules while boarding vessels
- Drones are restricted along the core canal scenic belt
Facilities
RestaurantGift ShopPhotography Allowed
AdmissionFree Entry
Opening Hours
Mon00:00 - 23:59
Tue00:00 - 23:59
Wed00:00 - 23:59
Thu00:00 - 23:59
Fri00:00 - 23:59
Sat00:00 - 23:59
Sun00:00 - 23:59
Best Time to Visit
March – May and September – November