China’s Grand Canal at 2700km, is the longest and oldest in the world. It comprises of 3 sections:- Shuitang Grand Canal, Jinghang Grand Canal and the Zhedong Grand Canal developed over 2500 years. The World Heritage Site listing under China Grand Canal includes 1011km and 54 sites along the Grand Canal.
This 25 km section starts from the northern terminal of the Grand Canal in Central Beijing to Tongzhou District.
Beijing Shichahai lake
The historical route began at Changping's Baifu Spring, connecting to imperial waterways near Jishuitan and Zhongnanhai. Today, the modern navigable section starts at Shichahai and flows east through Xicheng District.
Beijing Houhai
Houhai is the largest of the three lakes in Shichahai lake.
Beijing Tonghui River
Tonghui River was dug during the Yuan Dynasty to connect Tongzhou and Shichahai lake.
This section starts at starts at Datong Wharf/Dongbianmen and flows eastward, passing Wanning Bridge and exiting the city's old southern water gate. It runs east outside Chongwenmen, turns southeast pass Guangqumen into Chaoyang District and towards Tongzhou.
Tongzhou
Tongzhou is one of nine key commercial ports along the Grand Canal in the Ming and Qing Dynasty. Goods and grains were loaded to be transported to the capital.
Grand Canal Cultural Park
A park along the Beijing section of the Grand Canal in Tongzhou district.
Eastern Terminus of this section is at Tongzhou. The canal flows passes the Baliqiao Bridge (Yongtong Bridge), through the Hulu Lake, and merges with the North Canal near the Randeng Pagoda.
Beijing Tongzhou Randeng Pagoda
Merchants and boatmen traveling up the canal knew they had finally arrived safely in Beijing Tongzhou the moment the pagoda's silhouette appeared on the horizon.
The pagoda is one of the Four Famous Pagodas of the Grand Canal.
This 180km section flows from Tongzhou District, Beijing to Hebei province and ends at the Hai River (Haihe) intersection in Tianjin
Tianjin Grand Canal North Section
The Northern Canal flows from Tongzhou towards Hebei Province Xianghe and Tianjin Wuqing, Beizhen, Hongqiao districts. It ends at the intersection of Northern Canal and Haihe.
Sancha Kou Intersection of North and South section of Grand Canal
Intersection of northern Grand Canal on the right, southern Grand Canal on the left and Haihe.
Tianjin City
Tianjin City was one of nine key commercial ports along the Grand Canal in the Ming and Qing Dynasty. It has key roles for trade, storage, and defense due to its proximity to the imperial capital.
This 530 km section starts from Haihe River at Sancha Kou intersection and ends at Linqing in Shandong province.
Tianjin Grand Canal South Section
The southern section of Grand Canal flows from Tianjin, passing through Langfang towards Cangzhou.
Dezhou City
Dezhou City was one of nine key commercial ports along the Grand Canal in the Ming and Qing Dynasty. It was a vital resupply depot and cargo transit hub for shipping grain and goods to the imperial capital, Beijing
Cangzhou Grand Canal
The southern Grand Canal flows through the city centre of Cangzhou towards Shandong Province. The section in Cangzhou is 215km long.
Cangzhou Grand Canal
The southern Grand Canal flows through the city centre of Cangzhou towards Shandong Province.
Cangzhou Grand Canal
The southern Grand Canal flows through the city centre of Cangzhou towards Shandong Province.
Cangzhou Grand Canal
The southern Grand Canal flows through the city centre of Cangzhou towards Shandong Province.
Dezhou Grand Canal
The southern Grand Canal flows through the city centre of Dezhou passing through Hengshui, Xingtai, and Handan in Hebei province towards Linqing in Shandong Province.
This 480km section within Shandong Province starts at the Linqing Wei River and ends at Tai’erzhuang.
Shandong Liaocheng
The Lu canal starts from Shangdong Linqing in the north and flows towards the historic Water City of Liaocheng.
Liaocheng Grand Canal
The Lu canal starts from Shangdong Linqing in the north to Taierzhuang in the south. This section played a critical role in imperial trade and ancient hydraulic engineering
Liaocheng City Guangyue Tower
Liaocheng is one of nine key commercial ports and a imperial tax checkpoint along the Grand Canal during the Ming and Qing Dynasty. wealthy traders from across China, setup large regional guild halls in the city. The city’s strategic location led to huge economic and cultural prosperity for over 400 years. Guangyue Tower was one of the key building structure of the city
Jining Grand Canal
From Liaocheng, the Grand Canal flows past Dongping Lake, where the Yellow River, Dawen River, and the historic canal intersect. It then passes through Nanwang—the Grand Canal's highest elevation at 38.5 meters—before continuing toward Jining.
The Nanwang water division system is the most critical technological achievement on the entire Grand Canal.
Jining Grand Canal
Jining is the historical headquarters for the canal administration. From Jining, the grand canal flows pass Nansi Lakes towards Tai'erzhuang.
Jining City
Jining was one of nine key commercial ports along the Grand Canal in the Ming and Qing Dynasty due to its role as the historical headquarters for the canal administration. From Jining, the grand canal flows pass Nansi Lakes towards Tai'erzhuang.
Shandong Tai'erzhuang ancient town
Taierzhuang is located on the eastern bank of the Grand Canal.
It served as a major commercial and grain-transportation hub between North and South China during the Ming and Qing dynasties
shandong Tai'erzhuang Mazu Temple
shandong Tai'erzhuang Buyun Bridge
The Buyun Bridge (步云桥) in Taierzhuang Ancient City is built over the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal
shandong Tai'erzhuang Grand Canal
This 186 km stretch runs from Weishan Lake through northern Jiangsu and terminates in Huai’an City at the Huaihe River confluence, marking the start of the Li Yunhe.
Jiangsu Province Xuzhou
Zhong Canal flows from Weishan Lake towards Xuzhou.
Jiangsu Province Xuzhou City Grand Canal
From Xuzhou, the Grand Canal flows towards Pizhou and Suining.
Jiangsu Province Siyang County Grand Canal
From Suqian the Grand Canal flows towards the end of the Middle Canal section at Huai'an.
Jiangsu Province Siyang County Grand Canal
From Suqian the Grand Canal flows towards the end of the Middle Canal section at Huai'an.
This 168 km section within Jiangsu Province starts at Qingjiangpu in Huai’an City to Yangtze River bank at Guazhou Yangzhou.
Jiangsu Province Huai'an City
Huai'an City was one of nine key commercial ports along the Grand Canal in the Ming and Qing Dynasty. The Jiangnan Grand Canal customs administration was based on the city and it was also one of the largest regional trade market.
Jiangsu Province Huai'an City Qingjiangpu
Huai'an Li Canal Cultural Corridor
Jiangsu Province Huai'an City Qingjiangpu
Huai'an Li Canal Cultural Corridor
Jiangsu Province Huai'an City Grand Canal
Jiangsu Province Huai'an City Grand Canal
Jiangsu Province Huai'an City Grand Canal
Jiangsu Province Huai'an City Hexia Ancient Town
Throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties, the 2500 years old town developed into a major maritime shipping node and salt distribution center, functioning as a magnet for powerful merchants, economic prosperity, and nationwide cultural convergence.
Jiangsu Province Yangzhou City Grand Canal
Li Canal at Yangzhou.
Jiangsu Province Yangzhou City Grand Canal
Li Canal at Yangzhou.
Jiangsu Province Yangzhou City Grand Canal
Li Canal at Yangzhou.
Jiangsu Province Yangzhou City Grand Canal
Li Canal at Yangzhou.
Jiangsu Province Yangzhou City Slender West Lake
Yangzhou City was one of nine key commercial ports along the Grand Canal in the Ming and Qing Dynasty.
Jiangsu Province Yangzhou City Former Residence of Salt Merchant Lu Shaoxu
Yangzhou was the centre for government regulated salt trade.
Jiangsu Province Yangzhou City Yangzhou Salt Ancestral Temple
323.8 km from Zhenjiang Yangtze River bank to Hangzhou City.
Zhenjiang Grand Canal
The Jiangnan Canal starts at Zhenjiang on the southern bank of Yangtze River and end at Hangzhou City. It flows from Zhenjiang (镇江市谏壁口) thru Danyang, Changzhou, Wuxi, Suzhou wujiang district to Hangzhou city.
Zhenjiang Grand Canal
Zhenjiang Grand Canal
Zhenjiang Grand Canal
Changzhou Grand Canal
Changzhou Grand Canal
Wuxi Jiangying Grand Canal
Wuxi Jiangying Grand Canal
Wuxi City Grand Canal
Wuxi City Grand Canal
Suzhou Grand Canal
Jiangnan Canal at Suzhou City
Suzhou Grand Canal
Jiangnan Canal at Suzhou City
Suzhou Grand Canal
Wumen Bridge
Suzhou Grand Canal and baodai bridge
The bridge is at intersection of the Grand Canal and Tantai Lake.
Suzhou Pingjiang Street
Suzhou City was one of nine key commercial ports along the Grand Canal in the Ming and Qing Dynasty. It was a nub for textile, silk and craft trades.
Suzhou Pan Men Gate
Jiaxing Prefecture Wuzhen Water Town
The Grand Canal transformed Wuzhen from a quiet riverside settlement into a thriving imperial trading port for silk, rice, and liquor.
Jiaxing Prefecture Xitang Water Town
The Grand Canal propelled Xitang to prominence as a highly prosperous trading center. Fueled by the wealth of the Ming and Qing dynasties, merchants transformed the town into an architectural masterpiece featuring riverside residences, sweeping covered corridors, and intricate stone bridges. Every element of the town's layout was designed with commerce in mind, blending living spaces with the waterways to allow direct access from passing boats to people's front doors.
Huzhou Prefecture Nanxun Water Town
This 1,400-year-old ancient town is famous for its Jili silk. Nanxun's legendary silk wealth was primarily built on its strategic access to the Grand Canal waterways, which allowed merchants to transport their goods to major domestic and international markets.
Hangzhou Grand Canal
Hangzhou Grand Canal
Hangzhou Grand Canal
Hangzhou Grand Canal
Hangzhou City
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Hangzhou flourished as one of the nine key commercial ports along the Grand Canal. This success stemmed from its strategic geography, which linked the fertile Jiangnan agricultural heartland directly to the northern imperial capital. Furthermore, its position along the Qiantang River granted the city vital access to the sea and the global networks of the Maritime Silk Road.
Hangzhou Beijing Hangzhou Grand Canal Museum
Hangzhou Beijing Hangzhou Grand Canal Museum
Hangzhou Beijing Hangzhou Grand Canal intersection with Qiantang River
Liyang Granary Ruins
Liyang Granary Ruins
Yunxi ancient bridge
Taierzhuang Ancient City Tianhou Temple
The orginal Tianhou Temple was built during the Qing Dynasty Emperor Yongzhen period when Taierzhuang was a major commerical hub along the Grand Canal. The entire city and the temple was completely destroyed during the 1938 War of Resistance against Japanese Agression. The current temple was constructed in 2012 as part of the Taierzhuang Cultural Heritage Park.
City: Zaozhuang City Taierzhuang District
Province: Shandong
Taierzhuang Ancient City Tianhou Temple
The orginal Tianhou Temple was built during the Qing Dynasty Emperor Yongzhen period when Taierzhuang was a major commerical hub along the Grand Canal. The entire city and the temple was completely destroyed during the 1938 War of Resistance against Japanese Agression. The current temple was constructed in 2012 as part of the Taierzhuang Cultural Heritage Park.
City: Zaozhuang City Taierzhuang District
Province: Shandong
Taierzhuang Ancient City Tianhou Temple
The orginal Tianhou Temple was built during the Qing Dynasty Emperor Yongzhen period when Taierzhuang was a major commerical hub along the Grand Canal. The entire city and the temple was completely destroyed during the 1938 War of Resistance against Japanese Agression. The current temple was constructed in 2012 as part of the Taierzhuang Cultural Heritage Park.
City: Zaozhuang City Taierzhuang District
Province: Shandong
Taierzhuang Ancient City Tianhou Temple
The orginal Tianhou Temple was built during the Qing Dynasty Emperor Yongzhen period when Taierzhuang was a major commerical hub along the Grand Canal. The entire city and the temple was completely destroyed during the 1938 War of Resistance against Japanese Agression. The current temple was constructed in 2012 as part of the Taierzhuang Cultural Heritage Park.
City: Zaozhuang City Taierzhuang District
Province: Shandong
Ningbo Jiangqbei District Sanjiangkou
This is the southern tip of the Grand Canal. It is the exact historic crossroads where China's massive inland river highways merged with the open waters of the Maritime Silk Road. At this very spot, fleets of ships once loaded up on interior China’s finest treasures—silk, porcelain, and grain—before setting sail to change the world.