Pruned trees and manicured lawns line the banks as far as the eyes can see. Towering buildings bask in the sun, their glowing reflection lending the placid waters a golden hue. Freshly painted boats dot the wharfs like some delightful crimson bloom. A journey along Beijing's picturesque stretch of the historic Grand Canal indeed promises to be a memorable one.

The world's longest artificial waterway, which is 2,500 years old and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, runs from China's capital city in the north to Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, in the south.

A comprehensive beautification and conservation project of the canal's northern section, mainly flowing through Beijing's Tongzhou district, Xianghe county in Hebei province and Wuqing district in Tianjin, began in late 2018.

Wharf 2 in Tongzhou is where the scenic cruise begins. Liu Zhenfeng, deputy director of the district's water resources bureau, says that three sightseeing routes have been designed for those keen to explore its natural, as well as urban, wonders.

The river basin in Tongzhou has been widened and greenways have been built on the levees. Silt has been dredged out and used to landscape the banks. Locks have been installed on one side of the canal, which allows eight vessels to pass in both directions at the same time.

Since June last year, residents of the capital city have been able to fully enjoy a 40-kilometer stretch of the vast inland waterway, along which their ancestors once ferried grain, agricultural produce and other essential items.