Jiangsu Grand Canal: Suzhou to Xuzhou

Follow the Grand Canal high-speed rail north from Suzhou to Xuzhou, connecting the water engineering heritage and local life of eight cities.

Travel from south to north along the canal culture route promoted by Jiangsu: explore water lanes and ancient towns in Suzhou and Wuxi; enter the Jiangnan Canal in Changzhou and Zhenjiang; discover salt and tribute transport history in Yangzhou and Huai'an; and connect with Han and Chu culture in Suqian and Xuzhou. Connected entirely by high-speed rail with one to two nights in each city, this is perfect for travelers with plenty of time and an interest in history. To keep the pace manageable, the itinerary focuses on the main canal line and excludes Lake Taihu and the coast.

Avoid mid-summer and the May Day/National Day holidays. Most museums are closed on Mondays.

Day by day

Day 1 · Shantang & Pingjiang Water Lanes

Suzhou（Shantang Street、Pingjiang Road）

Upon arrival in Suzhou, take the metro or a taxi into the ancient city. Visit Shantang Street in the afternoon and transfer to Pingjiang Road in the evening on foot.

Stay: Guanqian Street / Pingjiang Road

Day 2 · Humble Administrator's Garden & Canal Night Cruise

Suzhou（Humble Administrator's Garden、Baodai Bridge、Pan Gate、Suzhou Ancient Canal Night Cruise）

Walk to the Humble Administrator's Garden in the morning. Take a taxi to Baodai Bridge and Panmen Gate in the afternoon, and enjoy a night cruise on the canal.

Stay: Guanqian Street / Pingjiang Road

Day 3 · Huishan Ancient Town to Qingming Bridge

Wuxi Urban Area（Huishan Ancient Town、Jichang Garden、Nanchang Street & Qingming Bridge）

Take the high-speed rail from Suzhou to Wuxi (under 30 minutes). Take the metro to Huishan, and head to Nanchang Street in the evening.

Stay: Nanchang Street & Qingming Bridge

Day 4 · Changzhou's Ancient Alleys & Canal

Changzhou City Area（Qingguo Lane、Tianning Temple & Pagoda、Dongpo Park (Yizhou Pavilion)、Biji Lane）

Take the high-speed rail from Wuxi to Changzhou (about 20 minutes). Take the metro to Qingguo Alley and use city buses to get around.

Stay: Nanda Street · Qingguo Lane

Day 5 · Zhenjiang's Jinshan & Xijindu

Zhenjiang（Jinshan Temple (Jiangtian Temple)、Xijindu Ancient Ferry Street）

Take the high-speed rail from Changzhou to Zhenjiang Station (about 30 minutes). Take a taxi to Jinshan and walk to Xijindu in the evening.

Stay: Xijindu Area

Day 6 · Guazhou Ferry & Grand Canal Museum

Yangzhou（Guazhou Ancient Ferry Park、China Grand Canal Museum）

Take a taxi from Zhenjiang across the Runyang Bridge to Guazhou (about 30 minutes), then continue to the Grand Canal Sanwan area and the old city.

The Grand Canal Museum is closed on Mondays and must be booked about a week in advance.

Stay: Dongguan Street & He Garden

Day 7 · Yangzhou Salt Merchants & Slender West Lake

Yangzhou（Fuchun Teahouse、Lu Family Salt Merchant Residence、Ge Garden、Slender West Lake、Dongguan Street）

Walk through the old city for morning tea and historic streets. In the afternoon, take a 10-minute taxi ride to Slender West Lake.

Stay: Dongguan Street & He Garden

Day 8 · Huai'an Grand Canal Tribute Office

Huai'an（China Grain Transport Museum、Huai'an Prefecture Office、Former Residence of Zhou Enlai、Hexia Ancient Town）

Take the high-speed rail from Yangzhou East to Huai'an East (about 1 hour), then take a taxi to the old city of Huai'an District.

Stay: Zhou Enlai's Hometown · Hexia

Day 9 · Zhou Enlai Memorial & Qingjiangpu

Huai'an（Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall、Qingjiangpu & Li Canal Cultural Corridor）

Spend the morning in Huai'an District. In the afternoon, take a taxi or bus (about 30 minutes) to the Inner Canal in Qingjiangpu.

Stay: Qingjiangpu

Day 10 · Suqian King Xiang's Hometown & Zaoghe

Suqian（Xiang Yu's Hometown、Grand Canal Scenic Belt (Suqian)、Qianlong Palace at Zaohe (Dragon King Temple)）

Take the high-speed rail from Huai'an East to Suqian (about 30 minutes). Charter a car or take a taxi to Zaoghe in the afternoon.

Stay: Suchen District City Center

Day 11 · Xuzhou's Han Dynasty Heritage

Xuzhou（Shizishan Chu King Tomb & Han Terracotta Warriors Museum、Xuzhou Museum、Hubushan Historic Buildings）

Take the high-speed rail from Suqian to Xuzhou East (about 30 minutes). Take the metro or a taxi to the Han Cultural Scenic Area.

Stay: Hubu Mountain · Huilongwo

Day 12 · Lake Yunlong & Guishan Han Tomb

Xuzhou（Guishan Han Tomb、Yunlong Lake）

Take a taxi to the Guishan Han Tomb, then head to Lake Yunlong. In the afternoon, take the metro to Xuzhou East Railway Station for departure.