The Grand Canal, the world’s longest man-made waterway, has pulsed as a vital lifeline between China’s north and south since its birth. Recently, the third season of China’s Culture and Travel Discovery Journey launched with the dazzling "Grand Canal Night" along the Beijing-Hangzhou stretch. At the event, a bold new song, AD 589, roared to life, unraveling Hangzhou’s timeless love affair with the canal—a romance stretching across a millennium.
From ancient grain-laden boats to today’s vibrant cultural and tourism corridor, cities along the Grand Canal have woven together production, lifestyle, and nature in perfect harmony. They’re rolling out the red carpet with sleek complexes, eye-catching pedestrian streets, sizzling food hubs, and chic performance spaces—recharging the vibe and setting the night aglow.
At the launch, Fan Junyi, General Manager of Geely Automobile Sales Co., Ltd., and Jin Zhiwen, a beloved mainland Chinese singer, stepped up as "Grand Canal Cultural and Tourism Observers." Together, they lit up the "Five Streets and Ten Views" of Hangzhou’s Gongshu section, casting a glow on the canal’s modern magic.
For centuries, this shimmering ribbon of water—the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal—has watched boats drift by and merchants hustle through twelve-hour days. More than a relic of golden eras, it’s a living thread stitching together heritage and fresh innovation.
So, come one, come all—locals and wanderers alike! Dive into the Grand Canal’s wonders and tick off gems like Gongchen’s Timeless Charm, Wangchen’s Scenic Heights, Fuyi’s Lasting Legacy, Bazi’s Rainbow Glow, Grand Canal South Gate, Wulin Night Bazaar, Dreamlike Shangtang, Hanggang’s Steel Garden, Xiangji’s Sacred Chimes, and Beiguan’s Merchant Melody. Don’t miss the historic Qiaoxi Quarter, Xiaohe Straight Street, Dadou Road Legacy Lane, Xiangfu Old Street, and Yiqiao Ancient Alley. The canal’s ready to whisper its tales to you!