A rendering of the Hangzhou Canal Grand Theater, construction on which will be completed next year [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

The Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the government of Gongshu district in Hangzhou signed a deal on March 11 to construct the Hangzhou Canal Grand Theater.

Upon its completion, the Zhejiang Performing Arts Group will take over management and operation of the theater.

Last May, the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the government of Gongshu district agreed to cooperate in promoting the integration of cultural and tourism resources along the section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand canal in Zhejiang province.

The agreement is another attempt by the two sides to bring last year's agreement into practice.

The theater, part of the second-phase project of the Canal Central Park in Gongshu district, covers an area of nearly 9.47 hectares.

The design of the architecture features elements of the Grand Canal. It includes 1,200 general theaters where audience members can watch dramas, traditional Chinese operas and symphony performances.

It also includes 400 small multi-functional theaters where meetings and lectures can be held, and music dramas can be performed.

Chu Ziyu, director of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, expressed firm belief in a bright future for the Hangzhou Canal Grand Theater, saying that the theater is important for the integration of tourism and culture.

The construction project started in January 2018 and is estimated to be completed in the first half year of 2021.

A rendering of the Hangzhou Canal Grand Theater, construction on which will be completed next year [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

The Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the government of Gongshu district in Hangzhou sign a deal on March 11 to construct the Hangzhou Canal Grand Theater. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]