Follow the Events to Tour Liaocheng

Linqing Canal Customs House

A key national cultural heritage site and a UNESCO World Heritage location, this was the foremost customs house among the eight major canal customs offices during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is the only remaining customs site of its kind today. Here, you can listen to guides explain the customs culture and immerse yourself in the rich canal heritage of Linqing. (Suggested visiting time: 1 hour)

Linqing Old Alleyways

These alleyways are a quintessential example of Linqing’s canal cultural heritage. A visit to Linqing would be incomplete without strolling through its old lanes and streets to experience their unique charm. Start from Aotouji, head west along the Ming Canal, pass Kaopeng Street and the county government site, and you will arrive at what was once the busiest commercial district in Linqing’s history. Surrounding areas include hundreds of lanes and alleys such as Guitong Lane, Baibu Lane, Zhugan Lane, Mashi Street, Guoshi Street, and Chaishi Street — many still preserving their Ming and Qing dynasty appearances.

Wander through these passages, touch the centuries‑old grey tribute bricks, and you may feel transported back to the canal life of hundreds of years ago. Feel free to chat with the elderly residents relaxing outside their homes.

Then, visit the Dongshenglong Tengtong Shoe Shop to observe the traditional handmade cloth‑shoe crafting process — a craft that has been preserved here. At Zhugan Lane, you can see bamboo ware workshops. Near Qingwan Shikou, there is also a century‑old sesame oil mill. (Suggested visiting time: 2.5 hours)

Jimei Pickle Garden

If time permits, drop by the time‑honoured Jimei Pickle Garden, the earliest northern Chinese pickle shop, even older than Beijing’s Wangzhihe. As a Linqing heritage brand, it offers a dazzling variety of pickled vegetables. Pick up a few favourites — they make a perfect representative gift for out‑of‑town visitors. (Suggested visiting time: 30 minutes)

Aotouji

Emperor Qianlong once ascended this site. It overlooks the Yuan Canal to the left and the Ming Canal to the right. The Ming dynasty scholar Li Dongyang praised it in verse: “Ten li of homes divided by the riverbanks, towers reaching high into the clouds; official boats and merchant vessels pass in a stream, drums and gongs resound everywhere.” This poem vividly depicts the prosperity of Linqing in that era. (Suggested visiting time: 30 minutes)

From here, you can follow the Yuan Canal to Youjia Xipu to sample its intangible cultural heritage treats.

Sheli Pagoda

Standing proudly on the banks of the Wei Canal, this pagoda is one of the “Four Great Pagodas of the Grand Canal,” alongside the Randeng Pagoda in Tongzhou, the Liuhe Pagoda in Hangzhou, and the Wenfeng Pagoda in Yangzhou. Each of these sites and relics tells the story of Linqing’s past and present, representing the city’s most ancient heritage. (Suggested visiting time: 1 hour)

Xiyuan Garden

Enjoy a leisurely summer afternoon at this garden, which blends the landscape styles of both the south and north of the Yangtze River — a true “Jiangnan in the north.” Peacocks fan their tails, bridges arch over flowing streams, ancient residences house treasured collections, and pavilions and terraces dot the scenery. Watch black swans play in the water, listen to a Hanfu‑clad girl playing the guzheng, and admire centuries‑old classical furniture and various ornaments. Sitting in the cloister, surrounded by this tranquil and refreshing beauty, you might feel as if you’ve been transported to the misty Jiangnan region — a place that will surely make you linger. (Suggested visiting time: 1.5 hours)

Grand Canal Night View

After dinner, take a stroll along the canal. The canal, embraced by glowing lights, flows gently, with green willows swaying — as if you have stepped back into the canal‑side life of centuries ago. Listen to the summer cicadas and breathe in the faintly fishy night breeze — it’s a unique sensation. The Linqing Canal Culture Square is a popular evening hangout for locals, where you’ll find people singing, dancing, and taking leisurely walks — a lively scene.

Guomian 1960 Cultural and Creative Park

Officially opened this May Day holiday, this park has been revitalised from the former state‑owned cotton mill. It now hosts a variety of attractions: a music square, food street, amusement park, vintage car museum, go‑kart track, and more — making it a favourite weekend and holiday destination for locals. Currently, new intangible cultural heritage exhibition halls and a large wedding dress display are under development, breathing new life into the old industrial site and establishing it as a new landmark along the Grand Canal. Here you can also sample a wide array of cuisines and enjoy a refreshing drink at the barbecue square.

Dazhong Park or Longshan Park

These are popular morning gathering spots for Linqing residents. Before 6 a.m., the parks are already bustling with people singing, practising martial arts, dancing, and socialising. Enjoy the slow pace of life in this ancient city. (Suggested visiting time: 30 minutes)

Linqing Museum

The museum houses a vast collection of cultural relics, showcasing over a thousand years of Linqing’s history and 600 years of canal culture. Here you can gain a comprehensive understanding of Linqing’s past and present. (Suggested visiting time: 40 minutes)

General Zhang Zizhong Memorial Hall

General Zhang Zizhong was the highest‑ranking Chinese officer to fall in battle during the War of Resistance against Japan. Learn how this national hero grew up in Linqing and rose to become a revered patriotic soldier — the detailed guided tour will give you a full account. (Suggested visiting time: 30 minutes)

Ji Xianlin Archives

This archive traces the life of Professor Ji Xianlin, from his childhood to his distinguished academic career. He is a source of pride for Linqing — his life was legendary and inspiring. (Suggested visiting time: 30 minutes)

Dongyuan Garden

Afternoon and evening are the best times to visit Dongyuan Garden. From afternoon to night, the garden promises a feast of food and entertainment.

This large, 500‑mu (approx. 83‑acre) recreational garden, built in a traditional classical style, is themed “the prosperity of the canal city.” It features over 20 corridors, bridges, and pavilions, recreating the flourishing scene of Linqing during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Attractions include the Xiaoxiaosheng Theatre, a live “throwing the embroidered ball” performance, a Tang‑style balancing show, and a patrol performance recreating the Linqing prefecture office. If you tire of walking, you can take a sightseeing tram.

After dinner, the garden switches to night mode, with dazzling lights creating one of Linqing’s most beautiful nightscapes. You can watch spectacular large‑scale ancient‑costume performances and colourful light shows, or stroll along the bridges and terraces, or even take a boat ride to experience the unique charm of this northern garden.