Hangzhou Grand Canal Night Cruise
The Grand Canal in Hangzhou is famous in the entire world on account of being the longest man made canal. It had been built almost 2000 years ago and since then played an important role in the Chinese Primary Economy. Today, it mainly serves as a water diversion passage. The canal was built in various sections through many years and the conglomeration of these separated sections took place during the Sui Dynasty under the order of emperor Yangdi. Thousands of laborers were appointed for the work and many of them died out of the tremendous hard labor that they had undertaken. The entire project consumed an enormous amount of wealth and resulted in the final demise of the Sui Dynasty.
Now this man-made historic attraction is becoming even grander with a canal-side park. 400 year old Gong Cheng Bridge, a Venetian style stone bridge the Emperor named after himself, is now flanked by two newly-built ornate wooden towers. Between them is a new park landscaped with miniature stone bridges spanning a mini Canal. At Lantern Festival is was full of happy crowds. Cross the Gong Cheng Bridge and you'll see a riverside way of life unchanged for centuries. From there it's a fascinating return journey by No.1 bus back to Wuling Meng.
Right opposite the Wuling Meng Square dock rises a massive modern West Lake Centre. Along the canal banks tranquil willow-filled parks face historic buildings, wealthy apartment districts, locals airing bedding on iron fences, old men fishing, tiny homes that look ready to tumble into the water, a Chinese Wind in the Willows world far from traffic noise and city crowds.
Take a trip up the Canal you feel you've come back to one thousand year ago!
Venue: Wuling Meng Square dock, No. 138 North Huanchen Road, Hangzhou, China