The trial voyage of the Hangzhou-Huzhou route on the Grand Canal begins on April 28. [Photo/Tide News]

The Fu Gui Han Gong cruise ship set sail on April 28 from the Wulinmen Wharf in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, embarking on a journey north along the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal towards Nanxun district in Huzhou, Zhejiang.

It is the first voyage along the Grand Canal's Hangzhou-Huzhou route in 30 years.

The route spans approximately 89.9 kilometers, starting from the Wulinmen Wharf in Hangzhou, with a stopover at Xinshi ancient town in Huzhou's Deqing county, and concluding at Nanxun. It connects the cultural and tourism offerings in Hangzhou and Huzhou.

At Xinshi ancient town, visitors were warmly welcomed by six women donning the guise of "Silkworm Flower Maidens". Tourists explored the town's historical and cultural charms, gaining insights into its storied past and vibrant heritage.

Historically, the Hangzhou-Huzhou route was a bustling commercial artery. During the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), it was a vital trade link, and by the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasties (1644-1911), it facilitated the transport of silk products like Huzhou silk and Hangzhou satin nationwide and overseas.

The renewed route promises to integrate canal culture, ecological landscapes, and tourism offerings, celebrating the canal's legacy while offering modern travelers a unique and immersive experience.