If you ask about one of the most famous bridges in Hangzhou, most people will mention Gongchen Bridge. Gongchen Bridge is located in the north of Gongshu District, across the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, the bridge is 94 meters long, 16 meters high, is a stone structure three-hole bridge, but also the largest stone arch bridge in Hangzhou.

Gongchen Bridge was built in the Ming Dynasty, in ancient times, the word "arch" is the arch hand, to express respect, the word "Chen" originally referred to the emperor's residence, and later extended to the emperor, "Gongchen" meaning, is to express the welcome and respect for the emperor.

On the east bank of Gongchen Bridge is the Canal Cultural Square, the square is equipped with antique towers, music fountains, and a Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal Museum, the museum has exhibited thousands of cultural relics and historical materials on the theme of the development history of the Grand Canal and the canal culture, which has very high ornamental and historical value.

On the west bank of Gongchen Bridge, there is a historical and cultural district called "Qiaoxi Straight Street". Qiaoxizhi Street has witnessed the historical development along the canal, and the street not only retains traditional buildings such as townhouses and courtyard-style houses, but also can even see the simple "public houses" in the fifties and sixties of the last century and the "tube buildings" in the eighties, with a strong atmosphere of old Hangzhou. Some houses are used for other purposes without destroying the industrial heritage. For example, a former native product warehouse in Qiaoxi was converted into a sword and scissors museum and an umbrella museum, and another factory building that was originally a cotton textile factory was converted into an umbrella museum, and these three museums constitute the Hangzhou Arts and Crafts Museum Group.

In addition to visiting museums, Qiaoxizhi Street is also a good place for leisure and entertainment. In addition to basic restaurants and coffee shops, there are also bookstores, Chinese medicine stores and shops selling intangible cultural heritage handicrafts, whether tourists want to eat and rest, or buy souvenirs.

Admission: Free

Recommended duration: 1 to 2 hours