7 Days in Cangzhou

The canal walk at dusk — the Grand Canal threads 216 km through Cangzhou — then old-street snacks and an early night.

1. cangzhou grand canal corridor
2. cangzhou nanchuan old street

Out to the lion, cast in 953 during the Later Zhou — about 5.5 m tall, 6.3 m long and around 40 t, 16 km southeast of downtown — then the museum's canal-history rooms.

1. cangzhou iron lion
2. cangzhou city museum

Two hours south near the Shandong border — the acrobatics world opened in 1993 with old-town stage sets and running performances; the county's international festival has run since 1987.

1. cangzhou wuqiao acrobatics world

An honest coastal day by the Bohai shore, roughly 100 km northeast past Huanghua; spring and autumn migration peaks bring the birds, so binoculars earn their space.

1. cangzhou nandagang wetland

Half an hour southwest to Cui'erzhuang town in Cang county for the park of exhibit halls, then back into town for the museum galleries.

1. cangzhou ji xiaolan culture park
2. cangzhou city museum

An honest neighboring-city day — the lake reserve sits about two hours west by rail in Hengshui, with roughly 75 km² of open water and a lakeshore boardwalk; go in warm months.

1. hengshui lake

A final unhurried canal loop, a hotpot-chicken lunch — a Cangzhou table habit — then the evening train.

1. cangzhou grand canal corridor