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Past and Present: The Grand Canal of China

Although the Grand Canal is considered an engineering feat on par with the Great Wall in the history of China, it is far more obscure and is almost forgotten today. With the publishing of this new book, Past and Present: The Grand Canal of China, people may rediscover the glorious days when railway and marine transportation were yet to appear, a time when the Grand Canal was the main artery from south to north in China.

The author spent eight years investigating historical documents before he finished the book. The Grand Canal of China, also known as the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal, is the largest ancient canal or artificial river in the world. The canal is about 1,794 kilometres long; its oldest parts date to the fifth century BC. It was mainly used to ship grain from Hangzhou in the south to Beijing in the north.

The Grand Canal also weathered China’s vast social changes. Marco Polo reportedly travelled on the canal in the 13th century, recounting its arched bridges, warehouses and prosperous trade. By the end of 16th century, however, Roman Catholic missionary Matteo Ricci had to deal with corrupt canal officers when he travelled from Nanjing to Beijing. During the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), the canal became a royal inspection route that emperors used to check government works and to sightsee.

Since United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization conventions now regard historic canals and cultural routes as important World Heritage artefacts, some people are trying to get the Grand Canal of China listed as a World Heritage Site. “China’s Grand Canal possesses all the basic features required by relevant standards. It has indisputable, outstanding universal value, and it is an important embodiment of the Chinese culture,” said one Peking University professor.

Although some sections have dried out or have been encroached upon, the Grand Canal is still visible in some places and is a tourist hotspot. It offers a unique penetrating look into a much older China.

“With proper protection and rational development, there might be a chance to revive this centuries-old waterway,” the book suggests.