A national museum opened in 2021 beside the Three Bends section of the canal, telling the history of the 2,500-year-old Grand Canal.
The China Grand Canal Museum, which opened in June 2021, stands on the Three Bends stretch of the ancient canal south of the old city. Its roof is shaped like three sails, a nod to boats on the water, and inside a large collection of objects, models and multimedia installations traces the 2,500-year story of the canal from the Spring and Autumn period through the Sui engineering campaigns to modern shipping.
Exhibits cover grain transport, the salt trade, bridges and locks, and the daily life of towns along the route. Yangzhou was the point where the canal met the Yangtze, which is why the national museum was built here. English captions appear on key displays, and the museum pairs with a stroll or boat ride around the Three Bends.
| Admission | Adult Free with online reservation · Child Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Tue-Sun about 09:00-17:00 (last entry about 16:00); closed Mondays |
| Typical visit | 2-3 hours |
| Best time | Weekday mornings |
| Getting there | Didi about CNY 25-35 (~$4-5) from the old city, about 20-25 minutes |
| Address | 1 Yunbo Road, Tangwang Subdistrict, Guangling District, Yangzhou / 扬州市广陵区汤汪街道运博路1号运河三湾风景区 |
Good to know
- Best for
- history lovers, families, architecture lovers
Location
1 Yunbo Road, Tangwang Subdistrict, Guangling District, Yangzhou / 扬州市广陵区汤汪街道运博路1号运河三湾风景区
32.3512, 119.4296 View on map
Highlights
- Three-sail roof architecture
- Canal engineering exhibits
- Salt and grain trade galleries
- Next to the Three Bends canal scenery
Tips for visiting
- Reserve through the museum's official WeChat account at least a day ahead; bring a passport
- Allow time for the sail-shaped architecture and the multimedia theatre
- Combine with a boat on the Three Bends canal section
- Closed Mondays; check holiday reservation windows
When to visit
Weekday mornings
Accessibility
Step-free with lifts and ramps; wheelchairs available at the entrance.
Frequently asked questions
Is the museum free?
Yes, with an online reservation.
When is it closed?
On Mondays, apart from some public holidays.
How far is it from the old city?
About 8 km south; Didi takes 20-25 minutes.