The world-famous Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal River flow from the west to the east, connecting between the cities. It is known as a UNESCO world Heritage Site, is the earliest and the longest manmade watercourse in the world with a total length of 1,776 km. The oldest parts of the canal can date back to the 5th century BC, although the various section were finally combined during the Sui dynasty (581 -618 AD). In the long history, it has made enormous contribution to the communication between Northern China and Southern China in both economy and culture. The canal in Suzhou serves as the most convenient traffic web that covers the whole city. Even to this day, about half of volume of the goods is transported by waterway through the Grand Canal.

You’ll see not only see the typical elements of southern china water town like stone bridges, boat, cormorants on boat, waterside houses, etc., but also the elegant life pace of Suzhou people.