The Grand Canal, the world's longest artificial waterway and a UNESCO World Heritage site, flows through the provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shandong and Hebei, as well as Tianjin and Beijing.

It is about 16 times the size of the Suez Canal in Egypt and 33 times longer than the Panama Canal, the world's second- and third-largest canals.

The canal is a "living heritage" with multiple functions such as flood control, water supply, inland navigation, ecological landscape and tourism. In history, it was once China's most important channel for grain transportation from the prosperous southern region to the north.

Last year, the construction of national cultural parks involving cultural landmarks, including the Grand Canal, was a major public cultural services project mentioned in the country's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25).

And up till now, the Grand Canal is on the right track to restoring its unique charm with a picturesque river band and rich historic culture.

Here are some destinations worth visiting along the ancient waterway.

A photo taken on June 21, 2022, shows the 2nd Zhejiang Grand Canal World Cultural Heritage Week in Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province. A staff member dresses in costume to show the folk customs of this ancient town. [Photo/IC]

The former Hangzhou Iron and Steel Industrial Park is under reconstruction, June 22. It is the key project of Hangzhou Grand Canal National Cultural Park, with a total land area of about 55 hectares and a total construction area of about 500,000 square meters. [Photo/IC]