The first Grand Canal Cultural Reading Tour begins in Hangzhou on June 29. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Grand Canal's UNESCO World Heritage listing, the Grand Canal Cultural Reading Tour has been launched.

The initiative was spearheaded by the Capital Library in collaboration with libraries in Zhejiang, Nanjing, Anhui, Henan, Shandong, Hebei, and Tianjin.

Starting in 2024, the tour will feature a different theme each year and connect various canal cities. Through a diverse array of reading activities and collaborations, the project aims to enrich cultural tourism and explore the essence of the Grand Canal's cultural heritage across eight provinces.

On June 29, Hangzhou hosted the first event of the 2024 tour, titled Tracing Cultural Roots: A Millennium of Canal Stories. The event included activities such as a leisurely walk through Hangzhou, collaborative art projects depicting the canal, lectures, and the Canal Charm cultural market. Experts in canal culture, poets, artists, and readers gathered in Hangzhou to discuss the canal's significance.

Additionally, the Canal Charm cultural market, a key feature of the tour, opened to the public on the evening of June 28, offering a vibrant space for cultural exchange and celebration.

A scholar shares her insights into Grand Canal culture. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]