The Grand Canal and the Great Wall are recognized as two of ancient China’s significant architectural achievements. Various dictionaries worldwide attach great importance to both structures, including the American Webster’s New World Dictionary.

The English term “canal” originates from Middle English. The equivalent word first appeared in China in the New Book of Tang Geography, 600 years earlier than its emergence in English. Canalization was first recorded in the ancient book of Commentary to the Water Classic. However, this account cannot be regarded as historical sound due to uncertain content.

The first recognized official record of the Grand Canal was in the book of Zuo Commentary. According to Commentary to the Water Classic, it can be concluded that there were natural channels and canals linked to the Yangtze, Huai, Yellow and Ji rivers. During the 7th century, Emperor Yang of Sui (569-618) ordered the Grand Canal’s construction.

The Grand Canal runs from Beijing to Hangzhou, passing through the city of Tianjin and provinces of Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang. It also transects the Qiantang River and Zhejiang cities of Shaoxing, Yuyao and Ningbo. This latter section is known as the Eastern Zhejiang Canal, and considered separate from the Grand Canal.

In the Commentary on Water Classic, it is noted that the prosperity and development of large parts of northern and southern China were owed to seasonal accessibility to rivers and canals. However, the Grand Canal was used year-round for shipping from the Yuan Dynasty (1272-1368) onwards. The dynasty’s capital, Shangdu, was based at the southwest outskirts of modern Beijing. Many officials, soldiers and citizens gathered in that area, surging demand for grain. At the time, grain was mainly harvested in southern China. According to historical records, there was a large canal linking the country’s north and south during this time that is today known as the Nansi Lakes, including Nanyang, Dushan, Zhaoyang and Weishan lakes. The four lakes located south of Jinan, Shandong Province, cover more than 120 square kilometers. Imperial leaders during the Yuan Dynasty ordered the construction of the Jizhou River, which was completed in 1283. The river connected the Nansi Lakes and the Grand Canal. Another part of the Grand Canal between the cities of Jining to Linqing in Shandong wasn’t completed until 1366 due to construction difficulties. Part of this section of the canal was called the Huitong River. Spanning 125 kilometers and including 31 sluices, this section allowed the Grand Canal to finally open up to ships.

Following completion of the Grand Canal, Beijing was chosen as the capital for the Yuan, Ming (1369-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties. This spurred economic development of vast areas near the canal. Imperial leaders of these three dynasties attached great importance to the protection and maintenance of the canal, which provided a vital channel for shipping grain from the south to the north. In the Ming Dynasty, official regulations safeguarded the canal. In the Qing Dynasty, the Huitong River was abandoned due to difficulty in shipping and construction of the Tianjin-Pukou Railway. During this time, there were many types of minerals and other heavy goods piled at the port of Jining awaiting shipping to the south. Shipping was more appealing to traders because it was the cheapest form of transportation. When goods arrived in Hangzhou, they were shipped via the Qiantang River to the terminal of Ningbo.

The overall length of the Grand Canal is estimated to be 1,780 kilometers. This spans the length from Beijing to Hangzhou, excluding a 200-kilometer section from the south bank of the Qiantang River to Ningbo. If the latter is included, the canal’s total length is closer to 2,000 kilometers. It is not only the pride of China, but also a precious form of cultural heritage. Centuries after it was first constructed, the canal continues to be a valuable shipping lane linking traders from northern and southern China.

The author is the director of the Specialized Committee for History and Geography at the Geographical Society of China.

The Chinese version appeared in Chinese Social Sciences Today, No. 580, 4th of April, 2014.

The Chinese link: http://www.csstoday.net/tebiecehua/88724.html

　　Translated by Chen Meina

　　Revised by Tom Fearon