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Hangzhou, Beijing join hands to protect Grand Canal and ensure future prosperity
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TO celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Grand Canal’s inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Hangzhou and Beijing co-hosted a conference on June 17 to seek partnerships in commerce and canal protection.
The Hangzhou Commerce and Tourism Group and Beijing Tourism Group have signed an agreement in the fields of urban construction; voyage tourism; and cultural, creative and hospitality industries.
The thousand-mile canal was a vital artery linking southern and northern China in ancient times. The two groups plan to revive waterway cruises, which were popular dating back centuries.
If people want to learn more about the canal, an ongoing exhibition in the Grand Canal Hanggang Park through July 16 gives a well-rounded picture of its past, present and future.
The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal was created between the 5th century BC and the Sui Dynasty (AD 581-618), and is the longest man-made waterway in the world. In 2014, the Grand Canal was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
In ancient times, the river was a thriving ribbon of commerce and culture. Apart from transporting goods, it was also a water resource used to irrigate agricultural fields. It connects five of China’s main river basins, playing an important role in crop production and people’s lives.
By the 1990s, the millennia-old waterway had lost much of its charm, as cars and high-speed trains replaced river travel. However, the canal was not abandoned.
Over the years, the canal segment in Hangzhou has been rejuvenated by the local government which launched a series of “shot-in-the-arm” revival projects, including the Xiaohezhi, Dadou and Qiaoxi historic blocks, and Xixing and Tangqi towns.
These places have been thriving for centuries. Life continues in one way or another as it always has. To some extent, the canal has witnessed the progress of its people generation by generation.
Last week, temple fairs were hosted in these places to celebrate the 10th anniversary.
The Xiaohezhi Historic Block has become emblematic of the revival projects. The street features traditional two-story, black-and-white houses, cobblestone walkways, and Oriental-style bridges and buildings that reflect the styles of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.
Xiaohezhi Street is next to the Xiaohe River, a branch of the Grand Canal. Many residents in the area have opened small teahouses, noodle restaurants and mahjong rooms in their homes, where they welcome visitors to experience authentic folk culture.
The former site of the Hangzhou Silk Dyeing Factory, which is located nearby, retains its former Soviet Union style. The factory was built along the canal but later relocated. Designers and artists have taken advantage of its distinctive architecture and industrial equipment, converting the site into a complex of modern creativity.
The Dadou Historic Block is adjacent to the canal. The central part has been developed into a snack block with a wide range of delicacies. Its traditional architecture of two-story wood-and-brick buildings feature upturned eaves, facing the canal or stone-paved lanes. In ancient times, the road was a famous commercial strip.
The Qiaoxi Historical Block contains a great number of intact folk houses from the Qing Dynasty that are now home to restaurants, stores and museums. Qiaoxizhi Street, a stone-paved roadway, cuts through the block with attractions including cultural and creative studios, teahouses, cafés, and fusion restaurants.
Tangqi Town was established 1,000 years ago, but the old buildings were mainly erected during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Guangji Bridge, built in the 15th century, is the only seven-arch bridge on the Grand Canal.
Over the years, local authorities have rejuvenated the town’s former splendor by restoring many of its old buildings and combing through remaining historical resources.
In May, people flock to Tangqi to savor freshly plucked loquats. The town has been a nationally acclaimed production area of loquats for many years.
Unlike noted Tangqi and the above streets that have already been developed into tourist attractions, Xixing Town has maintained a low profile for years.
Xixing is the starting point of the Eastern Zhejiang Canal, a section of the Grand Canal. Local government has revamped the town’s lanes, alleys, buildings and crisscrossed rivers, demolished run-down homes and upgraded the infrastructure.
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