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The Grand Canal, 1,764 km (about 1200 miles)
in length, is the longest man-made waterway as well as being the greatest
in ancient China, far surpassing the next two grand canals of the world:
the Suez and Panama Canals. Running from Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province in
the south to Beijing in the north of China and connecting different river
systems, the Grand Canal contributed greatly to ensure that the Chinese
primary economy thrived in past dynasties. Now more than 2000 years old,
some parts of the canal are still in use, mainly functioning as a water-diversion
conduit.
The canal we see today was built section by section in different areas
and dynasties before it was linked together by the Sui Dynasty (581-618).
In 604 AD, Emperor Yangdi of the Sui Dynasty toured Luoyang (now the city
in Henan Province). The following year, he moved the capital to Luoyang
and ordered a large-scale expansion of the Grand Canal. The primitive
building techniques stretched the project over six years. Approximately
half the peasant builders (about 3,000,000) died of hard labor and hunger
before it was finished. This project was thought to have been wasteful
of manpower and money, which resulted in the downfall of the Sui Dynasty.
As a major transportation hinge in past dynasties, the Grand Canal interconnected
the Yangtze, Yellow, Huaihe, Haihe, and Qiantang Rivers and flowed through
Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang with Hangzhou
at its southernmost end. The Grand Canal, which joined the river systems
from different directions, offered much facility to transport foods and
goods from south to north in past times. Just as importantly,it greatly
improved the administration and defense of China as a whole and strengthened
economic and cultural intercourse between north and south.
Boating on the old Chinese Canal is one of the best ways to get a panoramic
view of the landscape of typical river towns in southern China, which
include ancient dwellings, stone bridges of traditional designs and historical
relics. Experiencing some of the local customs offers much delight to
travelers. Tourists also have an opportunity to enjoy good food while
appreciating the surrounding scenery.
Like the Great Wall, the Grand Canal is noted as one of the most magnificent
and wondrous constructions in ancient China, which can really offer one
a profound look into China's fascinating, historical past.
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