River course direction of East Zhejiang Canal

The East Zhejiang Canal starts from Xixing Street, Binjiang District, Hangzhou in the west, passes through Xixing, enters Xiaoshan District, and then enters Qianqing Town, Keqiao District, intersecting with the old road of Qianqingjiang. Since then, the canal has entered Yuecheng District to the southeast and intersected with Cao 'e River. The canal from Xixing to Cao 'e River is also called "Xiaoshao Canal". After crossing Cao 'e River, the canal entered Shangyu District and was divided into two branches. The canal on the north side, also known as "Yuyao Canal", connects Yaojiang River from Shangyoubaiguan on the east bank of Caoe River to Caoshu Bridge in Yuyao City.

The south canal, also known as the "Forty Li River", runs from Cao 'e River to Tongmingba and joins Yaojiang River, and the Houxin River and Shili River run in parallel. Since then, the main channel has entered the natural channel, and the tributary in Zhangting Town is called "Cijiang", and the tributary in Daxiba, Gao Qiao Town, Yinzhou District, Ningbo City is called "Xitang River". After that, the trunk flows through Yaojiang River and Fenghua River and merges into Yongjiang River in Sanjiangkou, Ningbo, and finally merges into the East China Sea in the east of Zhaobaoshan, Zhenhai. From west to east, Cijiang River branches off into a tributary "Shazi Port" in the south of Cicheng, and connects Yaojiang River at Xiaoxiba. The main stream of Cijiang River was renamed as "Zhongdahe" after passing through Huazi Gate, then entered zhenhai district from Jiangbei District and finally merged into Yongjiang River. Xitang River reaches Wangjingmen, the old town of Ningbo, eastward, connecting the moat with the water system in the city, and connecting with Fenghua River. The pattern of parallel inner and outer rivers is formed in the natural river channel in order to avoid the tide of the outer river and cut it straight.