Written by Veronica |
Among the sections of Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, the ancient man-made wonder boasting a history of more than 1,400 years, Suzhou Grand Canal is definitely an important part. Encircling Suzhou Old Town, the canal serves as a protective moat to the city. Also, it is an indispensable channel for transportation and a cultural heritage.
During your Suzhou tour, boarding a canal cruise is the recommended way to get to know the city. During the gusu cruise tour, you will travel around the city, see the landscapes of ancient architecture, stone bridges, and appreciate the picture of local life unfolding along the river, feeling like back in time to when life was simpler.
Fast Facts about Suzhou Grand Canal
- Location: It makes a circuit around Suzhou Old Town in Gusu District, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.
- Hours: The canal is open all day, but the cruise service operates from 9:00 to 20:30.
- Ticket price: CNY 120 each
- Visit time: 40 minutes to 1 hour for the cruise ride
- Best time to visit: March to November
- Suited to: history lovers, photographers, solo travelers, couples, families with kids
History and Overview of the Grand Canal
With a length of 1115 miles (1794 kilometers) and a history of over 1400 years, the Grand Canal has been the world’s most ancient and longest man-made waterway, which spans from Beijing to Hangzhou. It traverses 4 provinces from north to south: Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang.
About the construction, the Grand Canal started to build from Spring and Autumn period and completed and put into use in Sui Dynasty. Thanks to the repairment and perfection through many dynasties, including the Tang, Song, Yuan and Ming, till now, it is still in use and has become an important transportation hub. The opening of the Canal has bring about various convenient economic and cultural exchanges between northern and southern China and has influenced the coastal cities and people’s lifestyles.
What to See and Do at Suzhou Grand Canal
Take a cruise on the canal
Taking a boat ride on Suzhou Grand Canal is a very popular gusu cruise tour among tourists. Travelling by the ancient-style cruise ship along the canal, you can appreciate not only the intricate carvings and patterns of more than 20 stone bridges, but also the ancient city gates, towers and Suzhou’s ancient city wall built 2,500 years ago. During the cruise, It is like visiting a gorgeous massive outdoor museum. There is also local traditional Suzhou opera performance in some ship which sounds melodious.
At Xinshiqiao dock, Xumen Dock, Xiangmen Dock and Baijuyi Dock where offer various routes and boats to choose from, visitors can embark on a boat to enjoy the Guyunhe Cruise, Shantang Street Cruise, Panmen Cruise, and more. These cruises generally take 40 minutes to 1 hour and the price ranges from $5-20 (CNY 30-140).
Enjoy Cruise Performances
On the cruise boats, you’ll see performances such as storytelling and Pingtan (评弹). Pingtan is an ancient talking-singing art in China, ballad singing in Suzhou dialect. The performer dressed in Qipao will play the Pipa (Chinese lute) and sing songs. It is a fascinating form of art to witness.
Visit the Pan Gate
Pan Gate is a historical landmark of Suzhou. It was built during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) and is the only well-preserved water-and-land city gate in the world today. Pan Gate consists elements of a water gate, land gate, and city gate. At this attraction, you’ll also see Ruiguang Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Suzhou, as well as a charming garden and a museum.
Explore Shantang Street
Shantang Street is known as the “miniature of old Suzhou.” It was built in 852 AD and was one of the best developed street blocks in the whole China in Ming and Qing dynasties. People came here to do business, trade, live, and travel. It flows along Suzhou Grand Canal for 2.5 miles (4 kilometers). From your boat or walking down the street, you’ll see old Jiangnan houses, shops, temples, and bridges.
Admire Hanshan Temple
As one of the top 10 famous temples in China, Hanshan Temple is definitely a tourist attraction worth visiting in Suzhou. It is a Buddhist temple with history dating back to Liang Dynasty (502-557 AD). Zhang Ji, a poet in the Tang Dynasty, depicted the bell-ringing ceremony of the temple on New Year’s Eve in a poem, attracting tourists both from home and abroad to visit. Wandering through the temple, you will know about the Buddhist culture through the plenty of architectural ornaments, historical relics and amazing artworks.
Best Time to Visit Suzhou Grand Canal
The best time to travel to Suzhou and visit Suzhou Grand Canal is during March and November. The scenery of each season is unique and charming. During spring, the weather is nice with the temperature roughly around 10℃ and various flowers are in full bloom. And the water town scenery is at its best. From June to August in summer, you can enjoy a leisure trip to take a cruise ship along the Grand Canal to feel the cool breeze and appreciate the large area of lotus flowers. During autumn, the red maple leaves and yellow ginkgo leaves create beautiful spectacle. Besides, visitors can taste the snacks made of osmanthus and well-known hairy crabs. However, to avoid large crowds and long lines for the cruise, stay clear of China public holidays and weekends.
How to Get to Suzhou Grand Canal
- By bus: Take bus NO. 40, 55, 178, 202, 309, 313, 518, 529, 811, or 923 to Shizilin Station, which is right by Suzhou Grand Canal.
- By metro: Take metro line 4 to Beisita Station. Then walk along Renmin Road for about 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) to reach the canal.
- By taxi: Hail a taxi from anywhere in Suzhou directly to Suzhou Grand Canal (Suzhou Guyunhe). The fare varies based on distance and traffic conditions.
You May Like How to Get to & Travel Around Suzhou
Attractions nearby Suzhou Grand Canal
- Suzhou Museu: Designed by the well-known Chinese American architect Mr. Ieoh Ming Pei (贝聿铭) who lived in Suzhou during his childhood, the architectural appearance of Suzhou Museum combines many classic elements of traditional Suzhou gardens and Jiangnan architectures. There are various kinds of exhibitions introducing Suzhou’s history, culture and art and displaying more than 40,000 historical and cultural collections, such as relics, handicraft works, seals, jade, ceramics, colored paintings, etc. It is 8.7 miles (14 kilometers) from Suzhou Grand Canal.
- Lion Grove Garden has been a representative of Classical Gardens of Suzhou and one of the four most celebrated gardens in Suzhou because of its amazing collections of lakeside rocks and rockeries, thus also known as the “Kingdom of Rockeries”. Tourists will marvel at the largest existing group of ancient rockeries in China within the garden. Lion Grove Garden is 8.7 miles (14 kilometers) north of Suzhou Grand Canal.
- Pingjiang Road is the most remarkable ancient block in Suzhou with quintessential features of a Jiangnan water town. You’ll see traditional houses with whitewalls and gray-tiled roofs, stone bridges, and winding alleyways. The street is 11 miles (18 kilometers) from Suzhou Grand Canal.
