Cangzhou’s cultural revival: Grand canal and heritage preservation

Published on January 24, 2024

Recently, Nanchuan Building and Langyin Building, two historic landmarks situated alongside the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal in Cangzhou, North China’s Hebei Province, officially opened their doors to the public. In celebration of the New Year, Nanchuan Old Street, the location of these iconic buildings, hosted a spectacular array of cultural activities, including dragon and lion dances, phoenix flights, and a Hanfu parade. Remarkably, Nanchuan Old Street welcomed approximately 95,000 visitors during the 3-day New Year holiday.

The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, boasting a rich history of over 2,500 years, stands as the world’s oldest and longest artificial river. Notably, Cangzhou embraces a significant stretch of this remarkable waterway, constituting about one-eighth of its extensive 1,794-kilometer (1,115-mile) length.

To rejuvenate the allure of the Canal, Cangzhou has seamlessly integrated regional culture into urban renewal efforts. Through captivating landscape displays and enhanced public services, the city has brought its cultural heritage to life, creating a magnetic appeal. The 308-kilometer embankment top road, traversing the central axis of Cangzhou, is adorned with three architecturally significant buildings—Qingfeng, Langyin, and Nanchuan—faithfully replicating the ancient style of the Canal. The Hundred Lions Park and Canal Park have evolved into favored destinations for residents seeking water enjoyment and relaxation, while the Garden Exposition and Dahua Industrial Heritage Cultural Zone stand out as new urban cultural landmarks in Cangzhou.

In recent years, Cangzhou has taken substantial measures to fortify the protection of its cultural heritage. A comprehensive survey identified 176 cultural heritages and 377 non-legacy projects. The city established a protection list with classifications and ratings, defined protection zones, instituted a cultural heritage inspection and supervision mechanism, and removed scattered and polluted enterprises along the Grand Canal.

Simultaneously, the city achieved the digital documentation of 19 national intangible heritage projects and recognized 432 municipal intangible heritage representative inheritors. This concerted effort ensures the preservation and promotion of canal culture along the Grand Canal.

The China Grand Canal Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall, now one of the largest in the country, serves as a focal point for the exhibition of intangible culture from eight provinces (cities) along the Grand Canal.

Cangzhou is poised to leverage the construction of the Grand Canal cultural belt and non-genetic inheritance, continuously infusing new energy and vitality into the acceleration of building a modern, economically robust, and aesthetically pleasing city.