Suzhou Ancient Grand Canal
Suzhou Ancient Grand Canal
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
537 reviews
Excellent
214
Very good
237
Average
67
Poor
9
Terrible
10
Maria Floratou
Patras, Greece1,526 contributions
Aug 2019 • Friends
Suzhou is located in southern Jiangsu Province in the center of the Yangtze Delta. The city is divided by the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal from north to south. The city is covered by water, including a vast number of ponds and streams. This is an ancient city with over 2,500 years of history and numerous points of interest the unique characteristics of the past are still retained today.
Written 23 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,626 contributions
Oct 2019 • Business
It is delightful to be along the canal in the early evening when the sun sets and the area is lit up. We dined at a restaurant overlooking the canal and enjoyed the views.
Written 15 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen W
Brisbane Region, Australia2,182 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
A boat ride on the Suzhou Ancient Grand Canal is really a great way to enjoy the magnificence of the ancient river in the southern region of Yangtze River, very enjoyable various boat rides available for great tours.
You can see the ancient city gates of Suzhou, stone bridges in varying traditional designs and very,very old river town dwellings.
Suzhou Grand Canal is located at the Taihu Lake Basin in the downstream of Yangtze River and Suzhou Grand Canal crosses the city centre of Suzhou.
The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal along with the Suzhou Grand Canal section is in the World Heritage listed UNESCO.
The world-famous Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal is the longest manmade watercourse in the world (1794 kilometres)
The ancient Grand Canal commences in Beijing reaching Hangzhou in the south. The Grand Canal is a major link in communications between North and South China both culturally and economically.
You can see the ancient city gates of Suzhou, stone bridges in varying traditional designs and very,very old river town dwellings.
Suzhou Grand Canal is located at the Taihu Lake Basin in the downstream of Yangtze River and Suzhou Grand Canal crosses the city centre of Suzhou.
The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal along with the Suzhou Grand Canal section is in the World Heritage listed UNESCO.
The world-famous Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal is the longest manmade watercourse in the world (1794 kilometres)
The ancient Grand Canal commences in Beijing reaching Hangzhou in the south. The Grand Canal is a major link in communications between North and South China both culturally and economically.
Written 26 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fireman452
Tallahassee, FL1,486 contributions
Sept 2019 • Couples
Riding the Suzhou boat ride cuts across all types of people and architecture. We were in one of the motorized boats so it was a very smooth ride. Would definitely recommend it to first timers in Suzhou.
Written 16 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jinky L
manila380 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
A bland, 30-minute ride on a wooden boat. No commentary was provided on the buildings and houses we were passing by on the river.
Written 15 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ASM040
Canberra, Australia26 contributions
How this item is ranked so high on Suzhou's to do list is beyond belief. As one approaches the foreshore, for the location given, one is met by a number of dilapidated buildings. There are no clear signs on the services on offer. Please give this a miss.
Written 17 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ron B
Miami, FL378 contributions
Oct 2017 • Friends
For those who want to experience a short cruise in Suzhou, compared to the Grand Canal cruise, there is a wonderful alternative. Many local tourists go on a canal cruise along the Shantang river, a canal on the north east of town. Access is fast and simple - take the red line of the subway from the train station one stop south and get off at Shantang Jie. From the station continue a few minutes south and you will reach the canal. Shantang Street (山塘街 Shantang Jie) runs on the north side of the canal. On the right it is a long, narrow street which serves as a fascinating traditional market, where the locals shop. On the left, a few minutes’ walk will take you to the boat cruise terminal. The cruise lasts for about half an hour and is not expensive.
Written 21 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
luis y
Floral Park, NY13 contributions
Nov 2016 • Solo
suzhou
through a labyrinth of canals
i find myself in a bygone time
gliding gently in a boat
amidst the waters of time of old
with the boatman rowing his oar
pushing forward around the bends
old buildings still standing
ancient china slowly unfolding
under the stone bridges along the way
every turn a vision of some memory
was it a young couple enjoying the day
or a family on a long awaited holiday
at the end of the journey
as i climb the steps to reality
i stop by for a cup of coffee
at a nearby starbucks cafe
through a labyrinth of canals
i find myself in a bygone time
gliding gently in a boat
amidst the waters of time of old
with the boatman rowing his oar
pushing forward around the bends
old buildings still standing
ancient china slowly unfolding
under the stone bridges along the way
every turn a vision of some memory
was it a young couple enjoying the day
or a family on a long awaited holiday
at the end of the journey
as i climb the steps to reality
i stop by for a cup of coffee
at a nearby starbucks cafe
Written 12 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ploddinghappily
el cerrito, california277 contributions
Apr 2015 • Friends
There are cruises during the day, but the evening cruises are much more attractive.
The canal was started in 486 BC by king Fuchai of the state of Wu for trading and military purposes. Subsequent rulers have increased the length of the original canal to what is now known as the Grand Canal. This wide waterway, 1776 km long, is still in full operation today, connecting Beijing to Hangzhou. Known also as The Great Canal, it is a major technological accomplishment. It is still the longest canal or artificial waterway in the world.
These cruises start from the Ancient Canal Port on Panxu Road in Suzhou at dusk. Passengers are squeezed into motorized, covered barges holding about 100 passengers each. Cruises last about 80 minutes. There is a surprisingly large interest in these cruises, as buses come in continuously to unload and pick up huge groups of homegrown tourists. I don’t think you can buy tickets in advance. The earlier cruises, just after dusk, always seem to sell out. At 160 RMB/person the fare is not inexpensive, but they do give discounts to senior citizens. And looking at the lighted landscape and the bridges from inside a warm boat is quite pleasing and relaxing. The tour goes along the Panmen Ancient City Gate and the city walls at that point. The cruise goes all the way to Shantang Street before coming back.
During our cruise an attractive young woman was the tour commentator, singer, pipa player, entertainer, and saleslady of miscellaneous tourist items they had on board. She was talking, singing, joking, or playing the pipa almost continuously for a full 60 minutes. It was a very informative and entertaining tour, especially if you understand Chinese. That is the main reason why almost all the passengers are Chinese. I hope they will be offering tours in English in the future.
A problem to consider is that Panxu Road is away from the busy streets and it will be difficult to find a taxi at the end of your tour. It is best to leave the terminal building as soon as the tour ends to catch the occasional taxi. It is also some distance away from a subway station.
See also: http://travelswithhok.com/Wanderings_in_China_-_II/Entries/2015/3/17_III__Suzhou.html
The canal was started in 486 BC by king Fuchai of the state of Wu for trading and military purposes. Subsequent rulers have increased the length of the original canal to what is now known as the Grand Canal. This wide waterway, 1776 km long, is still in full operation today, connecting Beijing to Hangzhou. Known also as The Great Canal, it is a major technological accomplishment. It is still the longest canal or artificial waterway in the world.
These cruises start from the Ancient Canal Port on Panxu Road in Suzhou at dusk. Passengers are squeezed into motorized, covered barges holding about 100 passengers each. Cruises last about 80 minutes. There is a surprisingly large interest in these cruises, as buses come in continuously to unload and pick up huge groups of homegrown tourists. I don’t think you can buy tickets in advance. The earlier cruises, just after dusk, always seem to sell out. At 160 RMB/person the fare is not inexpensive, but they do give discounts to senior citizens. And looking at the lighted landscape and the bridges from inside a warm boat is quite pleasing and relaxing. The tour goes along the Panmen Ancient City Gate and the city walls at that point. The cruise goes all the way to Shantang Street before coming back.
During our cruise an attractive young woman was the tour commentator, singer, pipa player, entertainer, and saleslady of miscellaneous tourist items they had on board. She was talking, singing, joking, or playing the pipa almost continuously for a full 60 minutes. It was a very informative and entertaining tour, especially if you understand Chinese. That is the main reason why almost all the passengers are Chinese. I hope they will be offering tours in English in the future.
A problem to consider is that Panxu Road is away from the busy streets and it will be difficult to find a taxi at the end of your tour. It is best to leave the terminal building as soon as the tour ends to catch the occasional taxi. It is also some distance away from a subway station.
See also: http://travelswithhok.com/Wanderings_in_China_-_II/Entries/2015/3/17_III__Suzhou.html
Written 24 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christine R
Welwyn Garden City, UK948 contributions
Sept 2012 • Couples
Had really been looking forward to this having seen all the hype in various travel brochures, but in reality most of what you see is people's scruffy back yards and washing. And the canal boats are closed in so your view is limited anyway. If you are pushed for time I suggest you go to Luzhi water town instead - much prettier. Suzhou needs to raise its gae.
Written 8 October 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If you are not in a pre-booked your, where can you purchase a ticket for a boat ride?
Written 22 March 2019
There is a ticket center near the dock. We went around 7pm on a Thursday night and there was no long line. We were able to purchase the ticket right away.
Written 23 March 2019
Ours was arranged by our tour group, it was well worth doing
Written 4 February 2019
What is the closest metro station to the place and is it walkable from there？How much is the ride？
Written 6 April 2017
The closest Metro station is "Leqiao" on Line 1. Line 4 will be closer but it is not finished yet. It is about 3km walk due south on Renmin Lu. The wharf is on the left just before you cross the canal. The price was about 300Rmb from the hotel, might be cheaper at the wharf. I was not impressed with the ride because it was cold, the windows were closed, and you could not see anything. I would recommend a nice walk along the canal at Panmen or Xiagman Gate. Enjoy your travels.
Written 7 April 2017
Where do I go to start the canal boat trip? Does it start from shangtang street? I will be arriving at suzhou railway station.
Written 31 May 2016
Hi! is it better to prebook the boat ride on Grand canal or take one when we get there? ,
Written 16 March 2016
Can we have a short cruise of Grand Canal for 1-2 hour in Wuxi on 13 April, 2016?
Written 13 March 2016
Not sure that there are canals for tourist in WUXI, But in Suzhou you will be able to have such a nice trip.
Written 14 March 2016
We are a couple aged more than 60 and want to have a short cruise of grand canal, stretching between 1-2 hours? We shall be in Suzhou on 14 April, 2016 for one day only. What should we do while in Suzhou? When and where we can catch the boat/ship? What would be the charges approximately? Can we get our cruise booked on line?
Written 13 March 2016
There are a number of places where you can board a boat, I have done this a few times now, each time was pre -booked. So I suggest that you enquire at your hotel, when you get there for the closest warf to your hotel.
Written 14 March 2016
Hola,
Tengo una duda,¿ a qué estación de trenes debo llegar en Sozhow? veo que hay 2 o 3.
Gracias!!!
Written 26 November 2015
There are several train stations, I think if you come on the high speed train you might come in to the north Suzhou station, but that is 10Km north of other Suzhou station. There is also a train station at Wuxi. Google the high speed train from Shanghai to Suzhou for exact details of which station you need. There are a number of places where you can board a boat for canals. Research before go. Very few people speak English or Spanish. So print out the chinese to take with you.
Written 16 March 2016
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