The Forbidden City in the sunset,Beijing
When someone uses the words “Marco Polo” and “Grand Canal” in the same sentence, one is likely to think of a young Italian boy visiting the S-shaped waterway that weaved through his hometown of Venice, Italy. But the Grand Canal that the famous explorer Marco Polo visited in the late 13th-century was the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, the longest waterway in the world, which was a crucial contribution to the cultural and economic development of China. Starting at Beijing and making its way south for nearly 1800 kilometers in length, the Grand Canal finds its southern end situated in the ethereal city of Hangzhou. At the time of Marco Polo’s visit, Hangzhou, or “The City of Heaven” as the explorer called it, was already a bustling center for trade. He recorded his experiences wandering through the city’s ten marketplaces, each filled with fruits, vegetables, and livestock, of which many had been brought from overseas. According to Marco Polo, about 40,000 to 50,000 people visited the marketplaces daily. If there were subways back then, the scene would parallel that of Beijing’s subways during rush hour.
The Grand Canal
Along his travels in the Yangtze River Delta region, Marco Polo visited Suzhou, also known as the “Venice of the East” for its peaceful canals and quaint bridges. Suzhou’s elegant landscapes were complemented by its realm of sophisticated craftsmen. As the Italian explorer walked through this city bountiful in silk, he felt as if every citizen around him were clothed in it. Suzhou’s contributions of richly colored, fine silk put the city on the map as a key part of the trade route known as the Silk Road. One could say that the magnificent silk from Suzhou was spun long enough to connect China with the rest of the world.
Grand Canal in the evening
Today, exploring China does not have to span decades, as Marco Polo’s travels did. China Luxury Travel Network offers a 6-day tour called “Along the Grand Canal,” which explores the culture of Southern China. Start in Hangzhou, visiting sites around West Lake, the inspirations behind many of China’s most famous poems. Next, get a glimpse into the way villagers of Wuzhen live a water-based way of life. Then head to Suzhou and immerse yourself in the refined culture of rich silks and iconic gardens. Finally, see the modern side of China’s center of commerce as you walk through the bustling streets of Shanghai.
For more information regarding the Along the Grand Canal tour, please contact us at info@cltn.net or register with us at http://www.cltn.net.
