The Couple's Retreat and Changzhou City Section of Jiangnan Canal
Plan this ride
Recorded distance
198 km
Riding-time estimate
2 h 49
Journey
Recorded itinerary
Distance and timing basis
Ordered leg totals agree within rounding. Stop distances are approximate sums of rounded legs. Stops, delays, approach and any separate return travel add time. Basis: producer-declared routed record.
Reading history stays on this device. My road watch requires a separate selection; opening it does not subscribe this ride.
Distance and riding time are measured on the routed road. Check local closures and conditions before you ride.
From Suzhou it runs 198 km to Suzhou; allow about 2 h 49 of riding. It goes by way of Wuxi City Section of Jiangnan Canal, Changzhou City Section of Jiangnan Canal and back through Wuxi City Section of Jiangnan Canal. The line favours views over speed.
Waypoint introductions and full write-ups
1. The Couple's Retreat
The Couple's Retreat, Ou Yuan, is a small garden in the Qing style, tucked in a lane in the old quarter of Suzhou and often missed by visitors who head for the larger gardens. The name refers to its layout, which is divided into two parts, east and west, that are joined by a covered walkway, a bit like two halves of a household, and the pairing of the pavilions on each side gives the place its romantic title. It was laid out by a Qing dynasty official and is part of the UNESCO list of Classical Gardens of Suzhou.
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
The Couple's Retreat is where the day begins. Next is Wuxi City Section of Jiangnan Canal.
2. Wuxi City Section of Jiangnan Canal
The Grand Canal is the longest artificial waterway in the world, stretching from Beijing to Hangzhou, and some of its sections have been in use for more than two thousand years. In the Jiangnan region, south of the Yangtze, it flows through a landscape of rice paddies, lakes and old towns, and in Wuxi it runs right through the city. The canal was listed by UNESCO in 2014, and the Wuxi section includes historic streets, bridges and warehouses along its banks.
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Wuxi City Section of Jiangnan Canal comes up about 51 km into the recorded legs. Next is Changzhou City Section of Jiangnan Canal.
3. Changzhou City Section of Jiangnan Canal
Changzhou does not appear on many bucket lists, which is a pity, because it holds a living stretch of the Grand Canal, the longest man-made waterway in the world. The canal here is the Jiangnan section, the southern part that links the Yangtze with Hangzhou, and it runs right through the city, past old lanes, stone bridges and modern towers. UNESCO added the Grand Canal to its list in 2014, and Changzhou's urban section is one of the segments that make up the listing.
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Back at The Couple's Retreat. That is the ride.
Leg by leg
The Couple's Retreat to Wuxi City Section of Jiangnan Canal
The Couple's Retreat → Wuxi City Section of Jiangnan Canal is 51 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Wuxi City Section of Jiangnan Canal to Changzhou City Section of Jiangnan Canal
Wuxi City Section of Jiangnan Canal → Changzhou City Section of Jiangnan Canal is 48 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Changzhou City Section of Jiangnan Canal to back through Wuxi City Section of Jiangnan Canal
Changzhou City Section of Jiangnan Canal → back through Wuxi City Section of Jiangnan Canal is 48 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Wuxi City Section of Jiangnan Canal to The Couple's Retreat
back through Wuxi City Section of Jiangnan Canal → The Couple's Retreat is 51 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.