Jinghang Grand Canal Hangzhou
Jinghang Grand Canal Hangzhou
4.5
About
Since the end of the 13th century, this waterway has stretched north to south over a distance of more than 1,118 miles from Beijing, south to Tianjin then to Hangzhou located southwest of Shanghai.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Jinghang Grand Canal Hangzhou and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
13 within 3 miles
Attractions
24 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
115 reviews
Excellent
57
Very good
43
Average
14
Poor
0
Terrible
1
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Peggy j
Waterlooville, UK614 contributions
Nov 2019
We wanted a quiet morning after all the business of our tour and found this a great and intersting way to spend 2 hours. The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal is the longest canal in the world by far. We walked along the canal after crossing a pedestrian bridge.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Best food best hotel
Hong Kong, China6,079 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
Many people don't know that you can see the Grand Canal when you come to Hangzhou. I recommend this attraction. There is not much traffic here. There are some old alleys nearby with special shops. There are also different museums. You can spend hours here to see different attractions. There are also many restaurants. It is recommended to find a teahouse in the alley next to it at night, sit down, and have a cup of tea. It feels very free and easy.
Written March 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
autumncs
Singapore, Singapore834 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
Like the Great Wall of China, the Grand Canal is one of the greatest ancient constructions in the world and is now an UNESCO heritage site. Being the longest artificial river in the world, it starts from Beijing and passes through the provinces of Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang to the city of Hangzhou, linking the Yellow River and Yangtze River.
My favourite portion of the Grand Canal is the Gongcheng Bridge district, 9km north of West Lake. The district is named after the elegant Gongcheng Bridge, built in the Ming Dynasty, as a symbol of respect to the Emperor. (The word "Chen" referred to the Emperor's residence, and "Gong" was the act of putting the hands together before the face as a sign of respect.) For centuries, the bridge is one of the main crossings of the Grand Canal in Hangzhou.
The area around Gongcheng Bridge has undergone a massive facelift in recent years to preserve the heritage districts and add modern amentities and attractions. The result is a vibrant district with a mix of modern and old, and you can easily spend one whole day exploring the district with numerous museums, heritage streets, shops and eateries. The area is blissfully free of the frenetic crowds and noisy tour groups seen around Hangzhou's West Lake or Beijing's Great Wall, because the area has not yet been featured in major travel guides (e.g. Lonely Planet, Rough Guide), and most tourists head for the more famous West Lake. I believe, as more people discover this district, it will be featured on travel guides, magazines and blogs, and soon the tour groups will start coming. Visit now before the place gets too crowded.
The old district on the west side of the canal (Qiaoxi district) is preserved as a heritage zone. Among the historical houses is a traditional chinese medicine clinic, a temple, some charming shops and a tea-house. There are several museums in this district, such as the China Fan Museum, China Umbrella Museum, China Knives, Scissors and Swords Museum, and Hangzhou Arts and Crafts Museum.. All these museums have free admission and air-conditioning, and are good places to visit on a rainy day or a hot summer day.
Located on the east side of Gongcheng Bridge is the Grand Canal Museum, which showcases the history, technical details and culture of the Grand Canal. It also has free admission and air conditioning. Outside the Grand Canal Museum is the Grand Canal Plaza (with musical fountain shows and mass dances in the evening). Underneath the plaza is a shopping mall with many eateries, fashion shops and a huge hypermart. Across the road is the tall Braim Canal Hotel and the modern Yunhe-shangjie (Grand Canal Street) shopping mall with a cineplex and many shops/eateries, including McDonald's and Paris Baguette.
To reach Gongcheng bridge via public transport, take a ferry (3 yuan) from Wulinmen pier (north of Wulin Square metro station) to Gongchengqiao pier between 7am and 6pm. (It's a nice way to "experience" the Grand Canal). Alternatively, take bus 591 (2 yuan) from downtown Hangzhou, opposite First People's Hospital on Ding-an Road. (The northbound bus stops at Grand Canal Plaza, but the southbound bus towards the city stops outside the east entrance of Grand Canal Street mall.)
My favourite portion of the Grand Canal is the Gongcheng Bridge district, 9km north of West Lake. The district is named after the elegant Gongcheng Bridge, built in the Ming Dynasty, as a symbol of respect to the Emperor. (The word "Chen" referred to the Emperor's residence, and "Gong" was the act of putting the hands together before the face as a sign of respect.) For centuries, the bridge is one of the main crossings of the Grand Canal in Hangzhou.
The area around Gongcheng Bridge has undergone a massive facelift in recent years to preserve the heritage districts and add modern amentities and attractions. The result is a vibrant district with a mix of modern and old, and you can easily spend one whole day exploring the district with numerous museums, heritage streets, shops and eateries. The area is blissfully free of the frenetic crowds and noisy tour groups seen around Hangzhou's West Lake or Beijing's Great Wall, because the area has not yet been featured in major travel guides (e.g. Lonely Planet, Rough Guide), and most tourists head for the more famous West Lake. I believe, as more people discover this district, it will be featured on travel guides, magazines and blogs, and soon the tour groups will start coming. Visit now before the place gets too crowded.
The old district on the west side of the canal (Qiaoxi district) is preserved as a heritage zone. Among the historical houses is a traditional chinese medicine clinic, a temple, some charming shops and a tea-house. There are several museums in this district, such as the China Fan Museum, China Umbrella Museum, China Knives, Scissors and Swords Museum, and Hangzhou Arts and Crafts Museum.. All these museums have free admission and air-conditioning, and are good places to visit on a rainy day or a hot summer day.
Located on the east side of Gongcheng Bridge is the Grand Canal Museum, which showcases the history, technical details and culture of the Grand Canal. It also has free admission and air conditioning. Outside the Grand Canal Museum is the Grand Canal Plaza (with musical fountain shows and mass dances in the evening). Underneath the plaza is a shopping mall with many eateries, fashion shops and a huge hypermart. Across the road is the tall Braim Canal Hotel and the modern Yunhe-shangjie (Grand Canal Street) shopping mall with a cineplex and many shops/eateries, including McDonald's and Paris Baguette.
To reach Gongcheng bridge via public transport, take a ferry (3 yuan) from Wulinmen pier (north of Wulin Square metro station) to Gongchengqiao pier between 7am and 6pm. (It's a nice way to "experience" the Grand Canal). Alternatively, take bus 591 (2 yuan) from downtown Hangzhou, opposite First People's Hospital on Ding-an Road. (The northbound bus stops at Grand Canal Plaza, but the southbound bus towards the city stops outside the east entrance of Grand Canal Street mall.)
Written August 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TorchbearerSydney
Sydney45 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
This is one of the great sites of Hangzhou, but hard to get information about! The Grand Canal is up there with the Great Wall as one of the major feats of ancient China, for me more interesting than the West Lake.
Here's an itinerary.... get the 9.30AM ferry near Wulin Square (metro)...3 Yuan and go to the end of the ride, just through the Ming Bridge. It takes about 40 minutes.
On the ferry dock side, about 100m down the square is the Grand Canal Museum on the right, and across the Ming Bridge the Ming Quarter.
Catch the ferry back, leaves every 40 minutes.
Here's an itinerary.... get the 9.30AM ferry near Wulin Square (metro)...3 Yuan and go to the end of the ride, just through the Ming Bridge. It takes about 40 minutes.
On the ferry dock side, about 100m down the square is the Grand Canal Museum on the right, and across the Ming Bridge the Ming Quarter.
Catch the ferry back, leaves every 40 minutes.
Written January 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ralpo Stankic
Hangzhou, China460 contributions
Feb 2018
interesting way of understanding the commerce and trade by the river and how Hangzhou flourished as a city. The riverboat is great if you can go to the upper deck and breathe the scent of the river. Do not miss the river museum and eat at one of the restaurants along the river and go for a good walk along the side promenade after you meal befor eheading back to the frenetic city
Written August 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alexandra L
Petaling Jaya, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia133 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
3rd day@Hangzhou.
Transport: Bus 591, get down 运河广场. Walk across the plaza or park, take water transport @ 拱宸桥 RMB 3, get down at 信义坊 stop. I have attached the schedule for you guys... plan yr time wisely.
Visit to 拱墅 (gong shu) is part of our itinerary plan. China Fan, Art & Craft and Umbrella Museum are located in that area. Along the journey u can see a lot of freighter carrying coals, construction material or goods heading to other area. It is fun experience.
Important notice: Always go back to the same drop down port if u want to take water bus to return to where u come from. We have been misleading by the locals as most of them tale land bus only.
Transport: Bus 591, get down 运河广场. Walk across the plaza or park, take water transport @ 拱宸桥 RMB 3, get down at 信义坊 stop. I have attached the schedule for you guys... plan yr time wisely.
Visit to 拱墅 (gong shu) is part of our itinerary plan. China Fan, Art & Craft and Umbrella Museum are located in that area. Along the journey u can see a lot of freighter carrying coals, construction material or goods heading to other area. It is fun experience.
Important notice: Always go back to the same drop down port if u want to take water bus to return to where u come from. We have been misleading by the locals as most of them tale land bus only.
Written June 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GOTOHZ H
50 contributions
Sep 2014 • Friends
Jinghang Grand Canal was selected as the World Heritage List on June 22, 2014! It is the short name of Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, starts from Beijing and ends in Hangzhou, which was built in Tang dynasty. It is the longest, the largest engineering ancient canal in the world. It represents the wisdom of ancient people.
The built of Grand Canal plays an indispensable role in promoting the economy development, enhancing the communication between the North and the South, maintaining stability and balance social dynasty and consolidating the central government’s management.
You can take a public transport boat, it costs only 3 RMB and you can have a full view of Grand Canal. Please bear in mind that do not take sightseeing boat coz it’s much more expensive then the public transport boat. After two stations, you will arrive in Gongchen Bridge, where you can visit Beijing-Hanghzou the Grand Canal Museum, Chinese Fan Museum and Chinese Umbrella Museum, all these museums are free in charge. It’s worth a visit.
The built of Grand Canal plays an indispensable role in promoting the economy development, enhancing the communication between the North and the South, maintaining stability and balance social dynasty and consolidating the central government’s management.
You can take a public transport boat, it costs only 3 RMB and you can have a full view of Grand Canal. Please bear in mind that do not take sightseeing boat coz it’s much more expensive then the public transport boat. After two stations, you will arrive in Gongchen Bridge, where you can visit Beijing-Hanghzou the Grand Canal Museum, Chinese Fan Museum and Chinese Umbrella Museum, all these museums are free in charge. It’s worth a visit.
Written September 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
harvlaw
Beijing, China118 contributions
Oct 2014 • Business
A newly-restored part of the Grand Canal linking Hangzhou with Beijing more than 900 years ago. The canal area includes a Ming Dynasty bridge, a wonderful set of museums (all free) and a restored part of the city. It is reachable via an inexpensive water bus from several areas of town and is a great place to walk around and learn about Chinese history and culture. Two thumbs up!
Written October 24, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen C
Singapore, Singapore1,154 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
Came to see this place because it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Found out that this canal has more than 2000 years of history and reflect the canal culture of Hangzhou.
Written August 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AliciaCecilia
Guangzhou, China200 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
Sunday afternoon,took metro till Xihu Cultural square ,visited the huge plaza and reached the channel ,opposite just crossing a nice bridge( nice work of art in the stone of it ) over the Grand Canal saw the pier with the water bus .We had a peaceful navigation till Gongchenqiao no more than 25 minutes . In that area you can find not only old Chinese houses also Restaurants, Tea shops and some interesting museums,Fan museum,umbrella and sword and scissors museum ,entrance free. Also the Grand Canal of China museum . It worth while to pay a visit . Still local people living in the old houses. A lot of gentrification.
Written November 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Probably not. The paths next to the canal are pedestrian walkways. There may be sections where there are bike-friendly paths, but not where I was (around the Grand Canal Museum).
Written May 9, 2018
Hi, I would like to know whether, where, and when we can take a boat trip on the Grand Canal. We are a family of 8 persons (4 adults, 4 children).
Written October 21, 2017
Showing results 1-2 of 2
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing