Tongzhou Canal Park in Beijing
Tongzhou Canal Park is the closest tourist attraction to Beijing Grand Canal. You can not only enjoy the beautiful scenery and the magical canal, but also row and touch the canal to listen to the ancient legends of the canal. In addition, the Strawberry Music Festival and Ice and Snow Festival make the park more entertaining.
English Name: Tongzhou Canal Park in Beijing
Chinese Name: 北京通州运河公园
Attraction Type: Beijing Attraction, Nature, Park, Music Festival, Ice and Snow Festival
Best Time to Visit: May 1th - 3rd, late December to early February
Recommended Visiting Time: about 1-3 days
Admission Fee: Free for Charge
Address in English: Tongzhou District, Beijing
Address in Chinese: 北京市通州区
Why is Tongzhou Canal Park in Beijing so Special?
Tongzhou Canal Park is the closest tourist attraction to Beijing Grand Canal. You can not only enjoy the beautiful scenery and the magical canal, but also row and touch the canal to listen to the ancient legends of the canal. In addition, the Strawberry Music Festival and Ice and Snow Festival make the park more entertaining.
It is said that the Grand Canal made Tongzhou Canal Park famous. This canal is one of the longest, largest and oldest in the world.
Where is Tongzhou Canal Park in Beijing?
Tongzhou Grand Canal Park is located in Tongzhou District, southeast of Beijing.
How to Get There?
- Take bus 322, 342, 589, 626, 648, 667, 804, 808, Tong 13, Tong 19, Tong 44, or Tong 62, get off at the Dongguan Bridge Station, and go to the park through the North Gate.
- Take bus 322, 342, 589, 626, 648, 667, 804, 808, Tong 13, Tong 19, or Tong 62, get off at the Tongzhou Dongguan Station, and go to the park through the North Gate.
- Take bus 552, 809, Brt 143, Tong 45, Tong 46, Tong 49, or Tong 60, get off at the Yunhewan Xiaoqu Station, and enter the park through the East Gate.
- Take bus 317, 552, 809, Brt 143, Tong 44 or Tong 46, get off at the Yunhe Mingzhu Jiayuan Station, and enter the park through the East Gate.
Main Attractions
No.1 Wharf
Tongzhou Canal No.1 Wharf is the north head of the Grand Canal. Wenyu River, Tonghui River, Yunchao River and Xiaozhong river flow into the Beijing Hangzhou Grand Canal, forming a spectacular scene of five rivers confluence at the source of Hebei Province. At the estuary of the Grand Canal, you can have a panoramic view of the newly built seven-hole stone arch bridge-type river gate, the grain inspection building rebuilt a hundred years after the loss of track and the ancient burning lamp tower standing for a thousand years.
Cultural Square
The Cultural Square was completed in 2006, covering an area of 138,000 square meters. The central axis of the square is the Millennium footpath, which is carved with 226m long stone carvings, all made of 15cm thick granite and inlaid with bronze. Taking the historical age as the mainline, the Millennium trail selects the 14 most important events in the history of the Grand Canal, and visually displays the historical features of the canal. The Oriental theme sculpture in the square is designed by the famous artist Mr. Han Meilin, with a total height of 32 meters and a total weight of 260 tons. The whole sculpture consists of a giant dragon and three unicorns, of which the dragon is 10 meters high and the unicorn is 3.5 meters high. The sculpture is made of cast bronze and granite. The sculpture is located at the north head of the Beijing Hangzhou Grand Canal, expressing auspiciousness and ascension.
Dipamkara Pagoda
The Dipamkara Pagoda is also called the Dipamkara Buddha’s relic pagoda because there is a Dipamkara Buddha’s relic in it. The tower was built in the Liao Dynasty, and was repaired after the yuan, Ming, Qing and Tangshan earthquakes. The lighthouse is the tallest and largest tower in Beijing. The lighthouse is the first tower by the Dayun River. The legend about the tower has a long history and is rich and colorful. As a prominent sign of the north section of the Grand Canal, “Lingyun ancient tower” was named the first of the eight sceneries in Tongzhou in the Ming Dynasty.
Strawberry Music Festival
Strawberry Music Festival is held for those who love music, especially rock music. Many singers and bands from home and abroad perform in Tongzhou Canal Park. If you are interested, go to enjoy the ocean bar of music. From May 1 to 3 every year, book tickets in advance in the park. 180 yuan for one day, 480 yuan for three days, 260 yuan for one day, 680 yuan for three days.
Ice and Snow Festival
Interesting Ice and Snow Festival is usually held in Tongzhou Canal Park Cultural Square from late December to early February. You can take part in various exciting activities, such as ice hockey, snow football match, snow sculpture, snow motorcycle and dog sled. You will have a good time here!
Useful Travel Tips
- Opening Hours: 5:00 – 22:00
- Ticket Price: Free of charge