The Grand Canal in China is not only the longest and oldest canal in all of the world’s canals, but it is also the canal with the greatest length. In point of fact, this canal is so huge that it exceeds the combined size of the second and third greatest canals, which are the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal. During the Wu Dynasty, which began in 486 BC, the building of the Grand Canal began for the first time. Then, during the Qi Dynasty, it was expanded, and then again during the Sui Dynasty, under the reign of Emperor Yangdi, it was expanded once again.
This second enlargement took six years, from 605 to 610 AD, and consisted of a significant amount of effort. This was due to the crude construction methods that were used. It is interesting to note that this second expansion required roughly 6,000,000 workers to finish, and because to the difficult circumstances and heavy work, approximately 3,000,000 of those individuals passed away due to the sheer strain and starvation that they endured. At the time, many people held the view that the project was a total and utter waste of both human life and financial resources. This viewpoint was a significant factor that led to the demise of this dynasty.
It is estimated that the length of the Grand Canal is around 1,200 miles long now, and it runs from Hangzhou in the Zhejian province located in the south of China to Beijing, which is situated in the northern region of the nation. In addition, the Grand Canal links together a number of other river systems, such as the Yangtze, Yellow Huaihe, Quiantang, and Haihe Rivers. The Grand Canal then travels through the provinces of Hebei, Tianjin, Beijing, Jiangsu, Shandong, and Zhejiang on its way to the south.
The Chinese economy has received a significant boost as a result of this tremendous creation, which ensures that the nation will continue to exist. Even though the canal is almost two thousand years old at this point, several sections of it are still in use as a water rerouting conduit. Because of this water infrastructure, it will be possible to move various items, including food, from the south to the north. In addition to bolstering cultural linkages and local economies, the construction of the Grand Canal also brought about significant improvements to China’s administrative and military capabilities, which is another major advantage.
The Grand Canal is the most convenient way for tourists to take in the breathtaking views of the country’s architecture and natural beauty that can be seen along the river villages. You may witness old houses, historical treasures, and stone bridges if you take a boat tour along the canal. During your journey, you will also be fed traditional Chinese cuisine that will make your mouth wet. Our canal is interesting and fascinating, linking the historical past with the present and future of this amazing nation. It is considered to be one of the most majestic monuments in ancient China together with the Great Wall of China.