The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal has played a pivotal role in the economic growth of China.
This 1,794km Canal passes through eight provinces of which it runs through the city of Hangzhou linking the Yellow River and the Yangtze River.
The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal
There are 10 main sections found along the canal with 31 inscribed buildings that was built by the people.
It has a long of history dating back to the 5th century (581-618 AD) when the Sui Dynasty ruled and have made its first connections with people outside of Beijing through this important canal.
Dynasties who came after Sui during the periods of 1271-1633 have realized the importance of that canal as a result have significantly rebuilt the canal and altered its route to supply their capital to Beijing from outside provinces.
It was also stated earlier that this canal plays a pivotal role in the economic growth of China thus it acts as a means of transportation during the ancient and dynasty periods where tons of goods were being transported by river from the northern and southern parts of China into Beijing.
The goods transported includes grain amongst other commodities because there was no farming done in Beijing. But if there ever was, it would be probably small for a family's daily consumption.
So, after seeing what this canal has done, Chinese leaders ensure that the corridor of this canal has developed into an important economic belt road.
After having being pronounced as an economic belt road, the Grand Canal was able to see more than 8000 boats passing through that single route on a yearly basis delivering about 24 to 36000 metric tons of grain into Beijing.
However, this canal is often neglected as cultural relic.
Meanwhile, it was also revealed that the canal was not only used as a means for goods transportation, but has also helped emperors back in the days to explore provinces outside of Beijing.
Then in the late 1900s the canal was then used to transport bulk of goods such as bricks, gravel, sand, diesel and coal into Beijing.
With this so much history behind it, this area was also named as one of the World UNESCO heritage sites.
It is unfortunate to say that, the river is no longer being used to deliver goods as there are now many options available in Beijing such as by road and through air however the site is being turned into a tourist spot for people to visit.
The Grand Canal is also known as the World's largest civil engineering project prior to the industrial revolution as it helped to supply grain especially to feed troops who were stationed there.
Today, if you get a chance to visit the Grand Canal, you will find that place has changed so much with a lot of houses being built as residential area for locals and for tourism sites for visitors.
Melisha Yafoi contributes to the article. The ideas expressed are the author's alone, and do not represent the position of our website.
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