Suzhou Night Canal Tour: Pingjiang Street & Grand Canal Cruise

Tour Itinerary

Pick up from your hotel lobby or Suzhou train station and you will find a welcome signage "Your Way Holiday”.

The first stop is Pingjiang Historic Street, a picturesque and culturally vibrant lane that offers a captivating glimpse into traditional Chinese life. As visitors stroll along Pingjiang Road, they will be enveloped in the lively atmosphere of this historical street, where centuries-old architecture blends seamlessly with a variety of shops and souvenir stores. This is the perfect place to explore unique local handicrafts, savor authentic Suzhou snacks, and experience a way of life that has been preserved through generations. With its charming canals and time-honored ambiance, Pingjiang Historic Street provides a harmonious mix of history, culture, and modern-day local experiences. Throughout the visit, a local guide will offer enriching insights into the street’s history and significance, while highlighting the best spots to capture the essence of Suzhou.

Next, visitors will enjoy a leisurely walk along the Grand Canal, where they will have the opportunity to experience the rhythms of daily life in this historic waterway. As they stroll, it’s common to see locals dancing or singing in the public parks, or engaging in friendly conversations with passersby. This is an ideal chance to immerse oneself in the local culture, as the canal area remains a living testament to the traditional ways of life in Suzhou. The knowledgeable guide will share fascinating stories about the area’s history, offering a deeper understanding of its cultural significance and providing insights into the daily customs of the local people.

Following the walk, guests will embark on a relaxing boat ride along the Grand Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the longest and oldest artificial waterway in the world. Stretching from Beijing to Hangzhou, the canal has been an essential communication artery for centuries, connecting the Yellow River in the north with the Yangtze River in the south. The Suzhou section of the canal, spanning 82.35 kilometers from Wuqi Bridge to Yazi Ba, has played a pivotal role in freight transport and regional commerce throughout history. As visitors glide along the water, the guide will share detailed historical context, highlighting the canal's enduring significance in shaping China’s economic and cultural landscape. This tranquil boat ride will not only offer scenic views of the canal but also provide a profound understanding of its role in the development of the region. 

The Grand Canal in Suzhou, with wide surface, abundant and crystal clear water, has been the best part of the Grand Canal for shipping. The old canal is about 35km long from Hushu Pass to Wujiang City, running through the centre of town and there is a network of smaller canals and passageways. It is a wonderful example of a waterside town with whitewashed and black-tiled-roof houses and small bridges.

When you take boat ride on Grand Canal, someone will play Pintan, also refer to storytelling and ballad singing in the Suzhou dialect.

Pingtan: Suzhou Pingtan is a general term denoting Suzhou pinghua and tanci, namely, storytelling and ballad singing in the Suzhou dialect. It is well known for its story telling, joke telling, music playing and aria singing. Flourishing in Suzhou, it is also quite prevalent in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces as well as in Shanghai, the biggest metropolis in East China.The art has a long history. Pinghua developed from the storytelling art of the Tang and Song dynasties, and performers only spoke instead of sang during the performance. In the late years of the Ming Dynasty and the early years of the Qing Dynasty, actors and actresses began to perform in Suzhou dialect, hence emerged Suzhou pingtan. Suzhou pingtan reached its peak in the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1739-1796) in the Qing Dynasty. In the subsequent more than 200 years, the art form saw much improvement. It still enjoys great popularity today. In Suzhou, there scatters a great number of teahouses such as Ouyuan Garden, Quyuan Garden, Yiyuan Garden etc.

After the tour, drive you back to your hotel in Suzhou and your tour ends.

Price Per Person in US Dollars