The canal is the soul of Tongzhou, inheriting long history and civilization. Five rivers, including Wenyu River, Xiaozhong River, Tonghui River, North Canal and Yuntiaojian River, meet here. There are many cultural carriers of canals left behind to this day, such as the Grand Canal, Yongji Canal, Tonghui River, Empress Dowager Xiao Grain River and other ancient canals. The past of water transportation is widely circulated today.

Travel is not just about traveling far. You can also find beautiful poems and scenery in your own city. Then let us start a two-day and one-night trip to Tongzhou along the historical context of the Grand Canal.

Day 1:

Diandeng Tower in Beijing Grand Canal Scenic Area

"One Zhi Pagoda recognizes Tongzhou", the Dandeng Tower in the north area of the Beijing Grand Canal Scenic Area must be the most obvious symbol of Tongzhou at that time. This building named Dandeng Buddha Sila was built in the Northern and Southern Dynasties and has a long history. The brick-and-wood tower body is built on top of the lotus Sumi seat. It is thirteen stories high and has wind chimes swaying. The Buddha statue on the outer wall is exquisitely shaped and meticulously carved.

The scenic area has the beauty of Jiangnan and the atmosphere of the north. The garden scenery composed of water, stones, flowers and trees is full of interesting. The lake is lush with vegetation, and lotus flowers are in full bloom in summer. From here, overlooking the ancient towers, pavilions, water pavilions and lantern towers form the most beautiful picture.

There is an elm tree called "Ta Yu" that has been growing on the 13th floor of the Dudeng Tower for hundreds of years. It was later transplanted to the lake. Nowadays, there are clusters of new branches and lush green leaves. There are also many ancient buildings in the scenic area, and the tomb of Li Zhuowu, a famous man in the Ming Dynasty, is also worth a visit.

Qianhe Xielu Bridge

Nowadays, the surrounding area of the canal has become a relaxing and relaxing Beijing Grand Canal scenic spot. It is full of scenery, with willows on the water bank. You can walk along the river or take an antique pleasure boat to rafting on the canal, giving a panoramic view of the beautiful scenery of the water transport terminal.

Many bridges span the canal. The new network red bridge Qianhe Xiedu Bridge has a unique shape. The white bridge body has beautiful lines and the ruffled design is cool and beautiful. Many young people check in every day.

Tongzhou Museum

As the northern head of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Tongzhou has always been an important place for water transportation and a transportation hub, retaining extremely rich cultural heritage resources. If you want to systematically understand Tongzhou's history, you must start with the Tongzhou Museum.

The museum located on the south side of Xinhua Street is a well-preserved two-way courtyard house. It is surrounded by tall buildings. Walking along the white marble stone steps into the small courtyard, it is painted and ancient. Flowers are in full bloom in the small courtyard, making it pleasant all year round.

In chronological order, several exhibition halls use a large number of objects and materials to show the long history of Tongzhou, especially the history of water transportation dating from the Qin and Han Dynasties and prospering in the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, allowing us to fully understand the glory of the canal civilization.

Although the area is not large, the exhibits are rich, gathering a large number of precious cultural relics from Tongzhou and the surrounding areas of the Grand Canal, from the well-preserved Tongzhou chronicles, to the unglazed white porcelain carved pots of the Tang Dynasty, and the exquisitely made treasure of the town hall. The Liao Dynasty green glaze square pottery bottles, combined with modern sound and photoelectricity technology, each cultural relic records Tongzhou's heavy history and demonstrates the people's hard work and wisdom.

Xiaoloudian

Walking into Tongzhou Xiaolou Hotel at noon, this restaurant has a history of hundreds of years and is one of the favorite time-honored restaurants of Tongzhou people.

Order a signature roasted catfish like the locals do. It is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with rich sauce, as if you were experiencing canal life a hundred years ago.

zhangjiawan

In the afternoon, we drove to Zhangjiawan. Zhangjiawan is not eye-catching now, but when we open the history of the Grand Canal, from the rise of water transport in the Yuan Dynasty to the withdrawal of history in the early 20th century, the small Zhangjiawan was the largest of the Grand Canal at that time. The first dock is crowded with merchants and is famous all over the world.

According to research, a small street in the ancient city of Zhangjiawan is the prototype of Shili Street and Huazhi Lane in Dream of Red Mansions. Cao Xueqin, the author of Dream of Red Mansions, once opened a pawnshop here. In memory of this great litterateur, a statue of Cao Xueqin was erected on the bank of Empress Dowager Xiao at the northern end of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal for future generations to admire.

The ancient city of Zhangjiawan now retains only a short section of the ancient city wall. The south gate of the ancient city stands alone by the river. A stone bridge spans the river and connects the south gate.

The mottled stone slabs on the bridge record the time, and dozens of vivid stone lions are exquisitely carved. Emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty named this small bridge Tongyun Bridge, which is commonly known as Empress Dowager Xiao Bridge. Although it is now deserted and only some children are playing on the bridge, who would have thought that ships from the south would stop here? It used to be prosperous for a time.

Tangrenfang

In Zhangjiawan Ancient Town in Tongzhou, there is a Chinese Tangrenfang Puppet Art Museum, which houses hundreds of traditional Beijing silk figures known as "Chinese Barbie Dolls". These master-level works range from vivid and realistic classical beauties to vivid legendary figures. From ordinary street figures to the legend of the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, characters made of raw materials such as gauze and silk have lifelike faces and delicate and soft skin. It is really a beautiful Tang doll that has been beautiful for thousands of years.

Nowadays, if you want to experience this exquisite craft, you can also experience it for yourself here. Making more than ten intangible cultural heritage handicrafts such as Tang dolls, batik, and embroidery allows modern people to easily master the profound and profound ancient Chinese traditional art. It is especially suitable for children to educate and entertain and fully understand and appreciate the charm of China's intangible cultural heritage.

If you are in a hurry, you can also directly choose a wide variety of Beijing gifts at the Beijing Gifts Direct Store in Tangrenfang. Beijing silk figures, who have served as national gifts many times, are different and each has its own story.

Songzhuang Homestay

There are many B & Bs in Tongzhou that make people miss just by listening to their names-"Flowers in the Field","Canal Courtyard","Northward","Moonlight in the Lotus Pond","Qingyun Biyuan"... On both sides of the canal, life is continuous and has been hidden into the "wish list" long ago

At night, we chose to stay in Songzhuang mainly because it was more convenient to visit Songzhuang the next day. The B & Bs, large and small, were frugal. We stayed in a very cost-effective B & B "Shun 12", which was small but stylish inside and outside The design showed the owner's unique aesthetic, and the public areas were especially beautiful.

The next day:

songzhuang

As the northern starting point of the Grand Canal, Tongzhou has profound historical and cultural heritage, while Songzhuang is Tongzhou's "artistic pearl". The Songzhuang Art District is often called the "Painter Village" by us, and art studios and exhibition halls can be seen everywhere on the streets. Although it is called "Zhuang", the area is actually very large and divided into many different areas.

Since the 1990s, some artists in Beijing have begun to work and live in Songzhuang. After decades of development, Songzhuang is like a sea that contains hundreds of rivers, accepting painters, sculptors, musicians, and various pursuits from all over the world. People who pursue ideals and art have settled in, and now tens of thousands of artists from all over the country and even around the world have gathered here.

You can't miss the exhibition when you come to Songzhuang. The three major Internet celebrity art museums not only have rich collections, but are also very suitable for filming inside and outside.

Songzhuang Art Museum:

The tall building with red brick exterior walls is very eye-catching, with some cafes and art shops on the first floor. The white walls and red bricks in the museum are intertwined with light and shadow, making it very impressive. Tickets are free.

Quan Art Museum:

The official name is actually the Contemporary Art Documentation Museum, which is next to the Songzhuang Art Museum. The white building in Mediterranean style is full of exotic customs.

Tree Art Museum:

There are a total of six courtyards, most of which open to the sky above the building. Therefore, it is also known as the "Paradise Art Museum". The building itself is very photogenic and it is great to take photos outside.

Songzhuang is very famous, but it still retains a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, far away from the hustle and bustle, and does not have too strong commercial atmosphere. In the evening, local residents will enjoy the shade on the streets and sell their own fruits and vegetables, which is very down-to-earth. Various literary and artistic shops are scattered in the alleys. If you stroll around, you may find treasures.

Food is the most exciting part of Songzhuang, apart from art, from Northeast barbecue to Yunnan mushroom pot, from Australian steak to Japanese sushi, it seems that you can find all the cuisines you have heard of here. It is also quite literary, as if eating here has become an artistic enjoyment.

Traveling to Tongzhou for two days and one night, exploring the past along the canal and exploring the present, you can not only touch the thousand-year relics and relive the historical charm, but also experience the elegance and leisure of modern Tongzhou, let go of all your worries, and spend a relaxing weekend.

If you also have a trace of persistence and curiosity about history, like exploring those ancient legends, like art, like food and enjoying life, then this route is really your dish. A simple itinerary can refer to:

Day1: Diandeng Tower-Qianhe Xielu Bridge and Canal-Tongzhou Museum-Xiaolou Hotel-Zhangjiawan-Tangrenfang

Stay in Songzhuang Homestay

Day2 Songzhuang, Songzhuang Art Museum, Tree Art Museum, etc.

Transportation: Public transportation between Tongzhou's main attractions is convenient, and cycling in the Urban area is also a unique experience. In order to save time, it is recommended to drive by yourself.

Tickets: Except for the fees charged by individual art museums, all other tours are free. Remember to bring your ID card.