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Grand Canal, Suzhou attraction
Brief Introduction
The Grand Canal (also known as the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the longest canal or artificial river in the world and a famous tourist destination. Starting at Beijing, it passes through Tianjin and the provinces of Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang to the city of Hangzhou, linking the Yellow River and Yangtze River. The canal is a communication artery connecting north and south China in ancient times. The Grand Canal Suzhou Section refers to the part from Wuqi Bridge (the border of Suzhou and Wuxi) to Yazi Ba (the border of Suzhou and Zhejiang Province),which covers around 82.35 km. Suzhou Section is the essential part undertaking freight transport on the canal.

History of Grand Canal
In the history, the Grand Canal was built part by part in different dynasties and has undergone great constructions for three times. The construction of the canal began at the period of Spring-Autumn Period, within the fifth century BC, and the various sections were finally combined during the Sui dynasty (581–618 AD).The total length of the Grand Canal is 1,776 km (1,104 mi). Ships in Chinese canals did not have trouble reaching higher elevations after the pound lock was invented in the 10th century, during the Song dynasty (960–1279), by the government official and engineer Qiao Weiyue. The Grand Canal was renovated almost in its entirety between 1411 and 1415 during the Ming dynasty.
Because of various factors – the difficulty of crossing the Yellow River, the increased development of an alternative sea route for grain-ships, and the opening of the new railways – the canal languished and for decades the northern and southern parts remained separate. Many of the canal sections fell into disrepair, and some parts were returned to flat fields. Until today, the Grand Canal has not fully recovered from this disaster. After the founding of the New China in 1949, the need for economic development led the government to order heavy reconstruction work. The Grand Canal is currently being upgraded to serve as the Eastern Route of the South-North Water Transfer Project.

What to see
Scenery and scenic spots along the Canal
The Grand Canal in Suzhou, with wide surface, abundant and crystal clear water, has been the best part of the Grand Canal for shipping. The old canal is about 35km long from Hushu Pass to Wujiang City, running through the centre of town and there is a network of smaller canals and passageways. It is a wonderful example of a waterside town with whitewashed and black-tiled-roof houses and small bridges.On both sides of the bank, white walls and black tiles are dotted in the open green country. The 53-hole Belt Bridge first built in Tang Dynasty lies across the old canal like a rainbow floating on the wave. The ancient ferries, ancient towing tie paths, ancient bridges along the canal are all witnesses of the economic development of the area along the old canal.
Traveling tips
The best choice to visit the Canal is by cruise. The boat was fairly small and only held about fifteen people. The boat cruised down the canal at a leisurely pace and passed many ancient houses built along the banks. There are evening cruises available, and guests should purchase tickets at the port beside Renmin Bridge within the central urban space of Suzhou. The cruise lasts for concerning eighty minutes. Bring mosquito repellant in summer.
How to get to Grand Canal
Bus Routes: Take buses No.7, 39, 47, 305, 522, 602, or tourist buses No.2, 5 and you will reach Grand Canal.
Travel Guide
Opening Time: 09:00-17:00, 19:30-20:45
Admission Fee: CNY 45
Address: No.789 Panxu Road, Canglang District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province.
Recommended Suzhou Grand Canal Tour
1. Private Suzhou Essence Tour of Rickshaw Ride and Grand Canal Ride
2. Full Days Suzho Tour of History and Culture Exploration with Grand Canal
3. Private Tour: Suzhou Night Tour with Grand Canal Cruise
4. Half Day Suzhou Tour From Shanghai of Grand Canal Sightseeing with Boat Ride
Duration:10+ Hours
Attractions(Cities):Humble Administrators Garden, Tiger Hill, Hanshan Temple, Pingjiang Road
Tour Style:A private day trip pairing a fast Shanghai-to-Suzhou bullet train with a guide who knows the city. Your guide meets you at Suzhou train station by a Your Way Holiday sign, then you travel door to door in a private air-conditioned car with your bags left in it. The route covers Suzhou's essence at an easy pace: the Humble Administrator's Garden, the city's largest classical garden; Tiger Hill, with its leaning Yunyan Pagoda and the Sword Pool; Hanshan Temple, remembered in a Tang Dynasty poem; and a relaxed walk along Pingjiang Road, where whitewashed houses and canals run side by side. Your guide books tickets, sets the pace to your interest, and takes lunch at a real local kitchen rather than a tourist set menu. At day's end your driver returns you to Suzhou station for the train back to Shanghai.
Duration:10+Hours
Attractions(Cities):Lingering Garden, Panmen Gate, Hanshan Temple, Shantang Street
Tour Style:A relaxed one-day tour of Suzhou built around its most-loved old-town sights. Your guide meets you at Suzhou train station beside a Your Way Holiday sign, and from there you move door to door in a private air-conditioned car. The day links the Lingering Garden, one of China's four celebrated classical gardens; Panmen Gate, the only old city wall and water gate still standing in Suzhou, first built in 514 BC; Hanshan Temple, made famous by a Tang Dynasty poem about its midnight bell; and Shantang Street, a 1,200-year-old canal market street. Your guide books tickets, keeps the pace easy, and stops lunch at a local kitchen rather than a tourist hall. Vegetarian, halal or lighter requests are simple, and you pay only for what you order. At the end your driver returns you to Suzhou station for the train back to Shanghai.
Duration:6-8 Hours
Attractions(Cities):Humble Administrators Garden, Tiger Hill, Hanshan Temple, Shantang Street
Tour Style:A full day in Suzhou with your own guide and car, starting from your hotel. Your guide meets you in the lobby beside a Your Way Holiday sign, and you spend the day door to door in a private air-conditioned car with your bags left in it. The route covers Suzhou's classics at an unhurried pace: the Humble Administrator's Garden, the city's largest and most celebrated classical garden; Tiger Hill, long called the number-one sight in Suzhou, with its leaning Yunyan Pagoda; Hanshan Temple, famous for a Tang Dynasty poem; and Shantang Street, a 1,200-year-old canal market street. Your guide books tickets, keeps the pace to your interest, and takes lunch at a genuine local kitchen rather than a tourist set menu; vegetarian, halal or lighter requests are easy and you pay for what you order. The day ends back at your hotel or wherever you like.
Duration:6-8 Hours
Attractions(Cities):Lingering Garden, Hanshan Temple, Panmen Gate, Pingjiang Road
Tour Style:A classic one-day tour of Suzhou, built around its most famous garden, temple, gate and old street. Your guide meets you at your Suzhou hotel or at the train station beside a Your Way Holiday sign, and you spend the day door to door in a private air-conditioned car. The route links the Lingering Garden, one of China's four great classical gardens; Hanshan Temple, made famous by a Tang Dynasty poem about its midnight bell; Panmen Gate, a 2,500-year-old land-and-water city gate; and Pingjiang Road, a preserved canal street of whitewashed houses and teahouses. Your guide books tickets, keeps the pace easy, and takes lunch at a genuine local eatery rather than a tourist hall; vegetarian, halal or lighter requests are simple and you pay for what you order. At the end your driver returns you to your hotel or the station.
Duration:10+ hours
Attractions(Cities):The Master of Nest Garden, Pingjiang Road, Zhouzhuang Water Town
Tour Style:One long day that pairs classical Suzhou with the most famous water town, all by private car from Shanghai. Your guide and driver collect you at your hotel and ride into Suzhou, where you start at the Master of the Nets Garden, the smallest and most finely worked of the city's classical gardens, then stroll the canal street of Pingjiang Road. After a Suzhou lunch of dishes such as squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, the car takes you on to Zhouzhuang, a 900-year-old water town of willow-lined canals, stone arch bridges and old merchant halls. Your guide times it to reach the town as the day-trippers leave, then drives you back to your Shanghai hotel. The car is private and air-conditioned, tickets are booked for you, and lunch is at a local kitchen rather than a tourist hall.
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