Hangzhou Grand Canal Classic Day Trip

Our local hangzhou tour guide will pick you up at your hotel lobby in Hangzhou or the Hangzhou train station with a welcome sign.

First, drive you visit the

Gongchen Bridge. Built in the 4th year of Chongzhen reign in Ming Dynasty (1631), Gongchen Bridge is a stone three-arch bridge standing across the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal, it is the highest and longest stone arch bridge among ancient bridges in Hangzhou. In Chinese "Gong" literally means meeting and "Chen" refers to the place where emperors live. Hence, Gongchen Bridge was a symbol of welcome and respect for the king. It is the end point of the Grand Canal as well as the transport hub in Hangzhou Section of Grand Canal.

Next, head to the Arts and Crafts Museum to learn a traditional skill from an experienced handicraftsman. It used to be an old silk factory by the Grand Canal. It is next to several other museums -

China Fan Museum,

China Knife, Scissors and Sword Museum, and

China Umbrella Museum. The new landmark has collected nearly 600 works of arts and crafts, including a three-story-high bronze plum blossom - all mural made by local master Zhu Binren. Visitors are welcome to try their hand at various crafts and purchase them directly from the studio. Moreover, you can find Hangzhou Youth and Children's Cultural and Creative Center, containing 34 classrooms where young people study language, dance, music, art and crafts.

Take a Boat Ride on the Grand Canal from the Wharf of Qiaoxi Museum. Enjoy the scenery along the Grand Canal on a ship and listen to the introduction of the canal by a guide. The Grand Canal is the second biggest draw of Hangzhou after West Lake. Now that it has been successfully inscribed in the list of UNESCO Heritage Sites, it becomes even more popular among foreign friends.

After lunch, visit the The 1,000-year-plus-old

Xiangji Temple is the most special spot in the Dadou Road Historic Block. Located on the bank of the canal, Xiangji Temple was once among the three largest temples in Hangzhou during the Ming Dynasty(1368-1644). Now the temple is the most popular one along the canal. You will get three incenses when you enter the temple to worship.

Next, visit the

Fuyi Granary and

Yunhe Bookstore. Go away from the Dadou Road to the south for 10 minutes, you will arrive at the Fuyi Granary, an integral part of the Grand Canal, a UNESCO cultural heritage site. Come to grab a meal or a drink within its spacious courtyard. Then you will listen to the introduction about the granary and Cao Yun cultures. You may be surprised at the matured technique of building granaries in the ancient China.

Drive you back to your hotel in Hangzhou or the Hangzhou Train Station and your tour ends.