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运河千古情，江南盛世缘。一条大运河，孕育和滋养了吴越文化、江南文化，也为浙江的发展提供了源源不竭的动力。
能通江达海 有吴风越韵
千年大运河，锦绣贯古今。京杭大运河厚重的历史底蕴，决定了她独特的文化基因和时代内涵。
“鱼盐聚为市，烟火起成村”的杭州，“堤绕门津喧井市，路交村陌混樵渔”的扬州，“水门向晚茶商闹，桥市通宵酒客行”的汴州（今开封），“沿溜入阊门，千灯夜市喧”的楚州（今淮安）……前人诗句中的古代大运河，商贾如云，繁华热闹。繁忙的运河还带动了沿岸城市的兴起和商业的繁荣，吸引了大批操着不同语言的各地客商，大运河成为各民族和谐交融的水上流动舞台，在开展商贸流通的同时，也促进了各民族文化的交流。
杭州，是京杭大运河的南端，也是浙东运河的起点，她是祖先留给我们的宝贵遗产，是流动的文化。于是大运河有了新担当。近年来，浙江以大运河国家文化公园建设为目标，以古镇为明珠，以运河为轴，串珠成链，努力将大运河文化带（浙江段）建成文化旅游示范带。截至2019年底，大运河（浙江段）共拥有国家4A级以上景区58家，其中乌镇、南浔古镇被评为5A级景区;省级全域旅游示范县5个，省级以上旅游度假区16家，省级旅游风情小镇8家，沿线宁波、绍兴、杭州、嘉兴、湖州5市，全年累计接待游客超2亿人次。伴随着文化旅游产业的快速发展，大运河浙江段正焕发出勃勃生机和活力。
（一）
流淌不息的大运河，是活着的历史。她贯通五大水系，串联七大古都，连接起陆上和海上丝绸之路，是中华文明的“母亲河”。
大运河浙江段共有9段河道、13个遗产点，涉及杭州、宁波、嘉兴、湖州、绍兴等5个设区市和杭州市余杭区、拱墅区、下城区、上城区、江干区、滨江区、萧山区，宁波市余姚市、海曙区、鄞州区、江北区，嘉兴市南湖区、秀洲区、海宁市、桐乡市，湖州市南浔区、德清县，绍兴市柯桥区、越城区、上虞区20个县（市、区），遗产区面积2658公顷，缓冲区面积10359公顷，总面积为13017公顷。
大运河浙江段北接长江经济带、南连海上丝绸之路，具有通江达海的地理特色和吴风越韵的人文特色，是中国大运河中全线通航、至今仍在活化利用的省段之一，是中华文明生命力、浙江文化活力的表現。
据史料记载，宋代浙东运河全线贯通后，作为连接“海上丝绸之路”的宁波三江口，成为古代中国和外国交往和贸易的重要海上通道出口。贸易船舶沿大运河南下到达三江口，再换乘抗风浪性能较好的海船经甬江出海，去往世界各地，海外客商也多由此进入内地。
“河为线，城为珠，线串珠，珠带面。”流淌的大运河是经济交流的大动脉、文化融合的主纽带，也是沿岸城市的母亲河、对外交流的开放地。
从2012年《大运河遗产保护管理办法》公布，到2014年中国大运河列入《世界遗产名录》，2018年7月联合国教科文组织世界遗产委员会第四十二届大会赞扬我国政府的探索和实践对世界其他国家世界文化遗产的保护管理具有积极参考价值，到2019年2月《大运河文化保护传承利用规划纲要》提出深入挖掘和丰富大运河文化内涵，充分展现大运河遗存承载的文化、活化大运河流淌伴生的文化、弘扬大运河历史凝练的文化，让大运河沿线发展谋篇布局、大运河文化保护传承利用迎来历史最好时期。
当古老的大运河与当下的时代产生际遇，推进大运河文化保护传承利用更显得意义重大。聚焦大运河世界文化遗产，适度兼顾大运河文化带和大运河文化公园，在保护理念、保护机制、保护规划、遗产监测等方面，浙江走在了前列。比如，明确大运河沿线各级政府及其相关部门的职责，加快推进有关非物质文化遗产和戏曲、节庆、民俗、典故、传统技艺等资料和实物的普查、收集和整理;依托历史街区、码头古渡等资源，开发具有浙江元素的诗画江南游、古越风情游、丝绸文化游等特色旅游产品，传承和弘扬茶叶、丝绸、书法、戏曲、湖笔、青瓷、黄酒等特色文化;倡导各地通过建设大运河世界文化遗产博物馆、展示馆，讲好大运河故事，弘扬大运河文化等。
值得一说的是，浙江省已将大运河文化带纳入《诗路文化带建设规划》，专门制定了运河诗路黄金旅游带三年行动计划，领衔四条诗路黄金旅游带建设。在建的45个大运河重点旅游项目，覆盖了文化遗产保护、旅游风情小镇和景区镇创建、历史文化街区保护建设、文化旅游休闲度假设施等。
此外，在京杭大运河博物院、绍兴浙东运河博物馆等龙头项目的带动下，大运河沿线古村古镇、名人名居、会馆商号、工业遗产等各类文化空间、文化资源，在开发保护中得以焕发青春和活力。
（二）
运河贯南北，文脉承古今。大运河孕育了水利文化、漕运文化、商事文化等多种文化形态。时光流转，运河文化也从未离生活远去。
杭州的拱宸桥是京杭大运河的地标性建筑。“船由沪来，先经拱宸，过省城，乃江干，深入内地。”由此，船家望见此桥，便知道已抵杭州城。
2002年，运河（杭州段）综合整治和保护开发，开启“还河于民”的历程。拱宸桥桥西原来是工厂集聚区，通益公纱厂、土特产仓库、红雷丝织厂等汇聚在这片不大的区域。1997年，拱宸桥地区旧城改造启动，在城市有机更新中谋划经济转型，让产业结构调整提升和运河整治保护互为促进。如今，这一旧厂房集中的片区已经陆续改造为中国刀剪剑博物馆、中国扇博物馆、中国伞博物馆等国家级博物馆，实现了工业遗产的成功“转身”。
运河两岸散布的博物馆、文创园、非遗保护点，加上连片保护、重现水乡风情的历史文化特色街区，以及沿岸居民家门口的“运河书房”、社区文化家园、“微博物馆”等，让文化与生活、产业交融，人文景致与美丽运河和谐共处。
随着杭州运河文化艺术中心、杭州大城北规划展示馆、杭州手工艺活态馆、二十四节气主题公园等一批见证杭州历史文脉的艺术馆相继开放，大运河文化更显生机。 在杭州大运河畔的手工艺活态馆，以西湖绸伞、油纸伞、刺绣、印染、木工、黄杨木雕、风筝、皮雕、竹编、张小泉剪刀、天竺筷、石雕等为主的传统手工艺作坊，每年都会吸引众多前来参观体验运河文化的学生、家长和八方游客。
杭州市依托老棉纺织厂、桥西土特产仓库等老建筑、工业遗存，建成以非遗为特色的博物馆群落，不仅保护传承了工业文明，还探索了让历史建筑重焕生机的现实途径。
杭州运河沿岸一大批清末民初风格的里弄街巷和历史建筑得以保留;小桥流水、粉墙黛瓦、飞檐雕花，巧妙地与这座历史文化名城融为一体;以“大运河”命名的公交车站、地铁站，以“大运河”冠名的文体设施逐一涌现……一座城市的美，沿着波澜壮阔的大运河而声名远扬。
建设“全域没有围墙的博物馆”，打造全国领先的运河文化传承特色产业集聚区……作为浙江省大运河遗产地综合保护试点市，杭州段大运河保护、传承、利用实践正在成为大运河浙江段沿岸地市的行动自觉。
（三）
运河千古情，江南盛世缘。一条大运河，孕育和滋养了浙江的吴越文化、江南文化，也为浙江的发展提供了源源不竭的动力。
南宋迁都临安后，明州港（宁波港）的海外贸易和文化交流作用一跃超过扬州等北方被辽、金政权控制的运河城市。位于浙东运河和京杭大运河连接点的杭州，其通江达海的地位更为显著，并影响到元、明、清等朝代。马可·波罗、鄂多立克、利玛窦、崔溥、成寻等历史上的国际友人，沿着大运河南下北上，都在杭州中转，并不惜笔墨，将大量的赞美之词留给了杭州。现珍藏于国家博物馆的《乾隆南巡图》，详细记录了当时沿大运河从北京到杭州及过钱塘江到绍兴的人物、场景。
大运河是一个文化符号，更是一种生活方式。如今，运河杭州段的游船数量越来越多，线路也越来越长。2004年，运河水上巴士在信义坊码头首航，标志着杭州成为全国首个在市区运河干道开通水上交通的城市;2008年，三条水上黄金旅游线开通，为杭州旅游又添了一笔。目前，在运河主航道，余杭塘河、上塘河、东河等支流线航道以及钱塘江等，均有休闲旅游线路在运营，客流接待量从最初的每年5.4万人次增至130余万人次。
城因运河而生，业因运河而兴。2020年4月，《浙江省大运河文化保护传承利用实施规划》发布，嘉兴市、杭州市、湖州市等有关单位共同签订合作协议，推动大运河唐诗之路建设，以京杭大运河和古镇集群为纽带，串联水上古镇节点旅游线，培育大运河“走运之旅”，共同打响杭嘉湖一体化大运河文旅品牌。
繁華不只为追忆。千年运河流动在老百姓的生活中，流淌出波涛滚滚的文化记忆，流向我们无限向往的远方。杭州京杭运河水上游线、宁波三江水上夜游、嘉兴古运河旅游、绍兴柯桥运河游、湖州南浔水上游线正在串珠成链;与运河伴生的古镇文化、蚕桑文化、丝绸文化、曲艺文化的历史价值、文化价值和旅游价值得以深入挖掘;运河古镇之路、运河丝绸之路、运河诗画之路、运河曲艺之路、考古研学之路，这些综合展示运河风貌、传统民居、生活美学、生产场景等的精品旅游线路呼之欲出，给了游客更多“非来不可”“再住一晚”的理由。让千年运河文脉生生不息，续写千年运河的精彩故事，运河沿岸的浙江儿女正在书写新时代大运河的壮美篇章。
（）
Grand Canal： Past Glory of Zhejiang Section
By Xu Jihong
A big part of the history of Hangzhou City and Zhejiang Province has something to do with the Grand Canal. What is now known as Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal was actually the Capital-Hangzhou Grand Canal for more than 1，000 years. Hangzhou at the southern end of the great manmade watercourse connected with present-day Beijing in the Yuan （1279-1368）， the Ming （1368-1644） and the Qing （1644-1911） dynasties. Before these dynasties， Hangzhou connected with Luoyang， the capital of the Sui （581-618） and the Tang （618-907）， a dynasty with Chang’an and Luoyang as dual capitals. In the Northern Song （960-1127）， Hangzhou was the country’s economic center. Such strong ties with the capitals of the dynasties in history are testified today by numerous Grand-Canal sites in Zhejiang.
The Grand Canal was inscribed as the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in 2014. Included in the heritage， the Zhejiang section of the Grand Canal presents nine sections and thirteen sites located in five cities in the north of the province. Another way to describe the cultural prosperity of the Zhejiang section of the Grand Canal is to list the tourist attractions in the area： fifty-eight 4A and 5A scenic zones， including Wuzhen and Nanxun， ancient canal towns. These tourist attractions allure 200 million visitors a year. The canal system in Zhejiang played a big role in the economic and social and cultural prosperity in the region. In the Song Dynasty， what is known as Eastern Zhejiang Canal was constructed. This is a manmade river connected with Hangzhou via the Qiantang River at the west side and Ningbo at the eastern tip. Ningbo became a key port where ships to and from the outside world docked. Cargo ships from inland reached Ningbo where goods were transferred onto sea-going ships for overseas destinations. In particular， Ningbo became the very destination of many international visitors from overseas. They traveled on the canal from Ningbo to Hangzhou and then went northward to other parts of the country via the Capital-Hangzhou canal. The Eastern Zhejiang Canal and Ningbo made Hangzhou more important and more prosperous as the hub of the two canals. Hangzhou embraced many historical international names such as Marco Polo， Odoric of Pordenone， Matteo Ricci， Choe Bu， and Jojin who are in the history of cultural exchanges and conversations between China and the rest of the world.
Long before the Grand Canal became UNESCO world heritage site in 2014， Hangzhou made efforts to preserve the past glory of the world’s longest manmade river. In 2002， the Hangzhou section of the canal saw the first large-scale refurbishment project. At the west side of the Gongchen Bridge， the symbol of Hangzhou section of the canal， there used to be a lot of factories which went dysfunctional in the 1990s. Now the district is home to a series of national museums featuring local products which were famed all over the country： household scissors and knives， umbrellas， and paper fans. The district now is also home to a special handicraft center where artists and craftspeople work at their studios demonstrating ancient handicrafts. The museums and the center， all housed at the repurposed factory buildings， attract a large number of students and their parents and tourists every year.
Along the Hangzhou section of the Grand Canal which zigzags through the very heart of the city are a lot of historical residential houses and industrial buildings in the architectural styles of the late Qing Dynasty （1644-1911） and the Republic of China （1911-1949）. Also well preserved are time-old lanes and backstreets.
Along the canal are many facilities named after the Grand Canal， giving people of today a chance to peep into the past glory of the city. The first canal boat bus for tourists began to operate in Hangzhou in 2004. In 2008， three sightseeing boat tour routes on the canal started to serve tourists. Nowadays， these routes have branched into other canals in and around downtown Hangzhou and some sightseeing boat tours are on the Qiantang River. In the first year， 54，000 tourists took the boat tours. Nowadays， over 1.3 million take the boat tours on the canals and the Qiantang River per year. In other canal areas across Zhejiang， there are also many boat tours. Tours are usually organized around ancient towns and cities. The provincial government has done a lot to make sure the Grand Canal in Zhejiang is well preserved and utilized to further promote the social， economic and cultural development of the canal zones. In 2012， two years before the Grand Canal was inscribed as a UNESCO world heritage site， the province issued a regulation on the preservation of the legacy of the canal sections. In February 2019， an outline for further preservation， development， utilization of the culture of the Grand Canal was formulated and issued. The plan has a focus on the world heritage sites， which amount to 13，017 hectares in total， including the 10，359-hectare buffer zones. In April 2020， the province issued a detailed plan to translate the 2019 outline into reality. Jiaxing， Hangzhou and Huzhou have signed an agreement to join forces in promoting sightseeing tours based on the Grand Canal and ancient canal towns.
Under government protection are more than physical structures in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also preserved and promoted are intangible cultural heritage items and traditional arts and crafts that once originated and thrived in Hangzhou in the era of the Grand Canal. These tours highlight silkworm farming and silk production， regional operas， folk entertainment performances， ancient architecture， ancient poetry and art. These cultural treasures of the past give tourists a window on the colorful dimensions of the ancient life cultured by the Grand Canal.
能通江达海 有吴风越韵
千年大运河，锦绣贯古今。京杭大运河厚重的历史底蕴，决定了她独特的文化基因和时代内涵。
“鱼盐聚为市，烟火起成村”的杭州，“堤绕门津喧井市，路交村陌混樵渔”的扬州，“水门向晚茶商闹，桥市通宵酒客行”的汴州（今开封），“沿溜入阊门，千灯夜市喧”的楚州（今淮安）……前人诗句中的古代大运河，商贾如云，繁华热闹。繁忙的运河还带动了沿岸城市的兴起和商业的繁荣，吸引了大批操着不同语言的各地客商，大运河成为各民族和谐交融的水上流动舞台，在开展商贸流通的同时，也促进了各民族文化的交流。
杭州，是京杭大运河的南端，也是浙东运河的起点，她是祖先留给我们的宝贵遗产，是流动的文化。于是大运河有了新担当。近年来，浙江以大运河国家文化公园建设为目标，以古镇为明珠，以运河为轴，串珠成链，努力将大运河文化带（浙江段）建成文化旅游示范带。截至2019年底，大运河（浙江段）共拥有国家4A级以上景区58家，其中乌镇、南浔古镇被评为5A级景区;省级全域旅游示范县5个，省级以上旅游度假区16家，省级旅游风情小镇8家，沿线宁波、绍兴、杭州、嘉兴、湖州5市，全年累计接待游客超2亿人次。伴随着文化旅游产业的快速发展，大运河浙江段正焕发出勃勃生机和活力。
（一）
流淌不息的大运河，是活着的历史。她贯通五大水系，串联七大古都，连接起陆上和海上丝绸之路，是中华文明的“母亲河”。
大运河浙江段共有9段河道、13个遗产点，涉及杭州、宁波、嘉兴、湖州、绍兴等5个设区市和杭州市余杭区、拱墅区、下城区、上城区、江干区、滨江区、萧山区，宁波市余姚市、海曙区、鄞州区、江北区，嘉兴市南湖区、秀洲区、海宁市、桐乡市，湖州市南浔区、德清县，绍兴市柯桥区、越城区、上虞区20个县（市、区），遗产区面积2658公顷，缓冲区面积10359公顷，总面积为13017公顷。
大运河浙江段北接长江经济带、南连海上丝绸之路，具有通江达海的地理特色和吴风越韵的人文特色，是中国大运河中全线通航、至今仍在活化利用的省段之一，是中华文明生命力、浙江文化活力的表現。
据史料记载，宋代浙东运河全线贯通后，作为连接“海上丝绸之路”的宁波三江口，成为古代中国和外国交往和贸易的重要海上通道出口。贸易船舶沿大运河南下到达三江口，再换乘抗风浪性能较好的海船经甬江出海，去往世界各地，海外客商也多由此进入内地。
“河为线，城为珠，线串珠，珠带面。”流淌的大运河是经济交流的大动脉、文化融合的主纽带，也是沿岸城市的母亲河、对外交流的开放地。
从2012年《大运河遗产保护管理办法》公布，到2014年中国大运河列入《世界遗产名录》，2018年7月联合国教科文组织世界遗产委员会第四十二届大会赞扬我国政府的探索和实践对世界其他国家世界文化遗产的保护管理具有积极参考价值，到2019年2月《大运河文化保护传承利用规划纲要》提出深入挖掘和丰富大运河文化内涵，充分展现大运河遗存承载的文化、活化大运河流淌伴生的文化、弘扬大运河历史凝练的文化，让大运河沿线发展谋篇布局、大运河文化保护传承利用迎来历史最好时期。
当古老的大运河与当下的时代产生际遇，推进大运河文化保护传承利用更显得意义重大。聚焦大运河世界文化遗产，适度兼顾大运河文化带和大运河文化公园，在保护理念、保护机制、保护规划、遗产监测等方面，浙江走在了前列。比如，明确大运河沿线各级政府及其相关部门的职责，加快推进有关非物质文化遗产和戏曲、节庆、民俗、典故、传统技艺等资料和实物的普查、收集和整理;依托历史街区、码头古渡等资源，开发具有浙江元素的诗画江南游、古越风情游、丝绸文化游等特色旅游产品，传承和弘扬茶叶、丝绸、书法、戏曲、湖笔、青瓷、黄酒等特色文化;倡导各地通过建设大运河世界文化遗产博物馆、展示馆，讲好大运河故事，弘扬大运河文化等。
值得一说的是，浙江省已将大运河文化带纳入《诗路文化带建设规划》，专门制定了运河诗路黄金旅游带三年行动计划，领衔四条诗路黄金旅游带建设。在建的45个大运河重点旅游项目，覆盖了文化遗产保护、旅游风情小镇和景区镇创建、历史文化街区保护建设、文化旅游休闲度假设施等。
此外，在京杭大运河博物院、绍兴浙东运河博物馆等龙头项目的带动下，大运河沿线古村古镇、名人名居、会馆商号、工业遗产等各类文化空间、文化资源，在开发保护中得以焕发青春和活力。
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运河贯南北，文脉承古今。大运河孕育了水利文化、漕运文化、商事文化等多种文化形态。时光流转，运河文化也从未离生活远去。
杭州的拱宸桥是京杭大运河的地标性建筑。“船由沪来，先经拱宸，过省城，乃江干，深入内地。”由此，船家望见此桥，便知道已抵杭州城。
2002年，运河（杭州段）综合整治和保护开发，开启“还河于民”的历程。拱宸桥桥西原来是工厂集聚区，通益公纱厂、土特产仓库、红雷丝织厂等汇聚在这片不大的区域。1997年，拱宸桥地区旧城改造启动，在城市有机更新中谋划经济转型，让产业结构调整提升和运河整治保护互为促进。如今，这一旧厂房集中的片区已经陆续改造为中国刀剪剑博物馆、中国扇博物馆、中国伞博物馆等国家级博物馆，实现了工业遗产的成功“转身”。
运河两岸散布的博物馆、文创园、非遗保护点，加上连片保护、重现水乡风情的历史文化特色街区，以及沿岸居民家门口的“运河书房”、社区文化家园、“微博物馆”等，让文化与生活、产业交融，人文景致与美丽运河和谐共处。
随着杭州运河文化艺术中心、杭州大城北规划展示馆、杭州手工艺活态馆、二十四节气主题公园等一批见证杭州历史文脉的艺术馆相继开放，大运河文化更显生机。 在杭州大运河畔的手工艺活态馆，以西湖绸伞、油纸伞、刺绣、印染、木工、黄杨木雕、风筝、皮雕、竹编、张小泉剪刀、天竺筷、石雕等为主的传统手工艺作坊，每年都会吸引众多前来参观体验运河文化的学生、家长和八方游客。
杭州市依托老棉纺织厂、桥西土特产仓库等老建筑、工业遗存，建成以非遗为特色的博物馆群落，不仅保护传承了工业文明，还探索了让历史建筑重焕生机的现实途径。
杭州运河沿岸一大批清末民初风格的里弄街巷和历史建筑得以保留;小桥流水、粉墙黛瓦、飞檐雕花，巧妙地与这座历史文化名城融为一体;以“大运河”命名的公交车站、地铁站，以“大运河”冠名的文体设施逐一涌现……一座城市的美，沿着波澜壮阔的大运河而声名远扬。
建设“全域没有围墙的博物馆”，打造全国领先的运河文化传承特色产业集聚区……作为浙江省大运河遗产地综合保护试点市，杭州段大运河保护、传承、利用实践正在成为大运河浙江段沿岸地市的行动自觉。
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运河千古情，江南盛世缘。一条大运河，孕育和滋养了浙江的吴越文化、江南文化，也为浙江的发展提供了源源不竭的动力。
南宋迁都临安后，明州港（宁波港）的海外贸易和文化交流作用一跃超过扬州等北方被辽、金政权控制的运河城市。位于浙东运河和京杭大运河连接点的杭州，其通江达海的地位更为显著，并影响到元、明、清等朝代。马可·波罗、鄂多立克、利玛窦、崔溥、成寻等历史上的国际友人，沿着大运河南下北上，都在杭州中转，并不惜笔墨，将大量的赞美之词留给了杭州。现珍藏于国家博物馆的《乾隆南巡图》，详细记录了当时沿大运河从北京到杭州及过钱塘江到绍兴的人物、场景。
大运河是一个文化符号，更是一种生活方式。如今，运河杭州段的游船数量越来越多，线路也越来越长。2004年，运河水上巴士在信义坊码头首航，标志着杭州成为全国首个在市区运河干道开通水上交通的城市;2008年，三条水上黄金旅游线开通，为杭州旅游又添了一笔。目前，在运河主航道，余杭塘河、上塘河、东河等支流线航道以及钱塘江等，均有休闲旅游线路在运营，客流接待量从最初的每年5.4万人次增至130余万人次。
城因运河而生，业因运河而兴。2020年4月，《浙江省大运河文化保护传承利用实施规划》发布，嘉兴市、杭州市、湖州市等有关单位共同签订合作协议，推动大运河唐诗之路建设，以京杭大运河和古镇集群为纽带，串联水上古镇节点旅游线，培育大运河“走运之旅”，共同打响杭嘉湖一体化大运河文旅品牌。
繁華不只为追忆。千年运河流动在老百姓的生活中，流淌出波涛滚滚的文化记忆，流向我们无限向往的远方。杭州京杭运河水上游线、宁波三江水上夜游、嘉兴古运河旅游、绍兴柯桥运河游、湖州南浔水上游线正在串珠成链;与运河伴生的古镇文化、蚕桑文化、丝绸文化、曲艺文化的历史价值、文化价值和旅游价值得以深入挖掘;运河古镇之路、运河丝绸之路、运河诗画之路、运河曲艺之路、考古研学之路，这些综合展示运河风貌、传统民居、生活美学、生产场景等的精品旅游线路呼之欲出，给了游客更多“非来不可”“再住一晚”的理由。让千年运河文脉生生不息，续写千年运河的精彩故事，运河沿岸的浙江儿女正在书写新时代大运河的壮美篇章。
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Grand Canal： Past Glory of Zhejiang Section
By Xu Jihong
A big part of the history of Hangzhou City and Zhejiang Province has something to do with the Grand Canal. What is now known as Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal was actually the Capital-Hangzhou Grand Canal for more than 1，000 years. Hangzhou at the southern end of the great manmade watercourse connected with present-day Beijing in the Yuan （1279-1368）， the Ming （1368-1644） and the Qing （1644-1911） dynasties. Before these dynasties， Hangzhou connected with Luoyang， the capital of the Sui （581-618） and the Tang （618-907）， a dynasty with Chang’an and Luoyang as dual capitals. In the Northern Song （960-1127）， Hangzhou was the country’s economic center. Such strong ties with the capitals of the dynasties in history are testified today by numerous Grand-Canal sites in Zhejiang.
The Grand Canal was inscribed as the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in 2014. Included in the heritage， the Zhejiang section of the Grand Canal presents nine sections and thirteen sites located in five cities in the north of the province. Another way to describe the cultural prosperity of the Zhejiang section of the Grand Canal is to list the tourist attractions in the area： fifty-eight 4A and 5A scenic zones， including Wuzhen and Nanxun， ancient canal towns. These tourist attractions allure 200 million visitors a year. The canal system in Zhejiang played a big role in the economic and social and cultural prosperity in the region. In the Song Dynasty， what is known as Eastern Zhejiang Canal was constructed. This is a manmade river connected with Hangzhou via the Qiantang River at the west side and Ningbo at the eastern tip. Ningbo became a key port where ships to and from the outside world docked. Cargo ships from inland reached Ningbo where goods were transferred onto sea-going ships for overseas destinations. In particular， Ningbo became the very destination of many international visitors from overseas. They traveled on the canal from Ningbo to Hangzhou and then went northward to other parts of the country via the Capital-Hangzhou canal. The Eastern Zhejiang Canal and Ningbo made Hangzhou more important and more prosperous as the hub of the two canals. Hangzhou embraced many historical international names such as Marco Polo， Odoric of Pordenone， Matteo Ricci， Choe Bu， and Jojin who are in the history of cultural exchanges and conversations between China and the rest of the world.
Long before the Grand Canal became UNESCO world heritage site in 2014， Hangzhou made efforts to preserve the past glory of the world’s longest manmade river. In 2002， the Hangzhou section of the canal saw the first large-scale refurbishment project. At the west side of the Gongchen Bridge， the symbol of Hangzhou section of the canal， there used to be a lot of factories which went dysfunctional in the 1990s. Now the district is home to a series of national museums featuring local products which were famed all over the country： household scissors and knives， umbrellas， and paper fans. The district now is also home to a special handicraft center where artists and craftspeople work at their studios demonstrating ancient handicrafts. The museums and the center， all housed at the repurposed factory buildings， attract a large number of students and their parents and tourists every year.
Along the Hangzhou section of the Grand Canal which zigzags through the very heart of the city are a lot of historical residential houses and industrial buildings in the architectural styles of the late Qing Dynasty （1644-1911） and the Republic of China （1911-1949）. Also well preserved are time-old lanes and backstreets.
Along the canal are many facilities named after the Grand Canal， giving people of today a chance to peep into the past glory of the city. The first canal boat bus for tourists began to operate in Hangzhou in 2004. In 2008， three sightseeing boat tour routes on the canal started to serve tourists. Nowadays， these routes have branched into other canals in and around downtown Hangzhou and some sightseeing boat tours are on the Qiantang River. In the first year， 54，000 tourists took the boat tours. Nowadays， over 1.3 million take the boat tours on the canals and the Qiantang River per year. In other canal areas across Zhejiang， there are also many boat tours. Tours are usually organized around ancient towns and cities. The provincial government has done a lot to make sure the Grand Canal in Zhejiang is well preserved and utilized to further promote the social， economic and cultural development of the canal zones. In 2012， two years before the Grand Canal was inscribed as a UNESCO world heritage site， the province issued a regulation on the preservation of the legacy of the canal sections. In February 2019， an outline for further preservation， development， utilization of the culture of the Grand Canal was formulated and issued. The plan has a focus on the world heritage sites， which amount to 13，017 hectares in total， including the 10，359-hectare buffer zones. In April 2020， the province issued a detailed plan to translate the 2019 outline into reality. Jiaxing， Hangzhou and Huzhou have signed an agreement to join forces in promoting sightseeing tours based on the Grand Canal and ancient canal towns.
Under government protection are more than physical structures in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also preserved and promoted are intangible cultural heritage items and traditional arts and crafts that once originated and thrived in Hangzhou in the era of the Grand Canal. These tours highlight silkworm farming and silk production， regional operas， folk entertainment performances， ancient architecture， ancient poetry and art. These cultural treasures of the past give tourists a window on the colorful dimensions of the ancient life cultured by the Grand Canal.