Hangzhou has an extensive greenway system, which includes many paths along its canals and rivers. A favorite and centrally located run is along the Grand Canal, in the Gongshu District. The Grand Canal in Hangzhou is the southern terminus of the ancient Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal — the world’s longest and oldest man-made waterway. The Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Xiaohe Historic Cultural District in Gongshu is a charming area that preserves traditional canal-side streets, complete with old houses, boutique shops, and quaint cafés. 

Grand Canal Path. Google Street View

A favorite run along the Grand Canal is on the canal-side paths between the Gongchen Bridge and Wulin Square. Start at the bridge (or just north of there in Gaojia Garden). It’s 6.4 km south to Wulin Square on tree-shaded promenade paths lining both sides of the canal, passing benches, cafes, small parks, and museums. A full loop is 13.3 km.

At the north end, there’s lots to see at Canal Square and numerous museums in the Gongshu District. At the south end, there are parks in the Wulinmen Wharf area, the impressive Zhejiang Science and Technology Museum, numerous hotels, and a running track next to Wulin Hospital. 

Additional River Paths

There are opportunities for longer runs or variations from the Canal Loop. 

  • Grand Canal East Add-On. At Wulin Square, the Grand Canal turns east, and you can run for 4.5 km on paths along the northern side of the canal to Pujia Canal Park. It’s pleasant running, generally tree-shaded and passing several canal-side parks. There are some paths on the south bank as well, but not as continuous.
  • Yuhangtang River Spur. At Hushu Rd. (2 km mark of our Grand Canal loop), there are paths headed west along the south bank of the Yuhangtang River for 5.5 km. This makes for a nice spur or stand-alone run. The west end is just west of Gudun Rd. (Wenxin Park).