The Zhenong Dongchao Art Park. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

On the southern bank of the Qiantang River, the ancient Zhedong Canal, having flown for over 1,700 years, passes through the old town of Xiaoshan.

A section of this canal, known as Guanhe, intersects with the Shanghai-Kunming railway line at the former Xiaoshan West Railway Station, now part of the historic cultural district of the Grand Canal Hangzhou Xiaoshan West Railway Station. This area is the largest and most well-preserved railway heritage site along the Xiaoshan section of the Grand Canal.

In recent years, Xiaoshan has focused on developing two major cultural and creative areas: the Grand Canal Xiaoshan West Railway Station Historic Cultural Block and the Yaqian Historic Cultural Block.

Plans are underway to connect both sides of the canal with greenways and link landmarks such as the Zhedong Canal Xiaoshan Exhibition Hall, Qiyuan Temple Museum, Zhu Fengbiao Memorial Hall, and Mao Qiling Memorial Hall, creating a cultural corridor along the Zhedong Canal right at residents' doorsteps.  

A bird's-eye view of the Zhenong Dongchao Art Park. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_e9c85e97cccd]