Canal Tour
The Canals of Suzhou, China
Canal Tour Photo Gallery (Downloadable Pictures)
The Grand Canal of China,also known as the
Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal,is the longest canal or
artificial river in the world.Starting at Beijing,it passes
through Tianjin and the provinces of Hebei, Shandong,
Jiangsu (Suzhou) and Zhejiang to the city of Hangzhou. The
oldest parts of the canal date back to the 5th century BC,
although the various sections were finally combined during
the Sui Dynasty (581-618 AD).
The total length of the Grand Canal is 1,776 km (1,103
miles). Its greatest height is reached in the mountains of
Shandong, at a summit of 42m (138 ft). Ships in Chinese
canals did not have trouble reaching higher elevations after
the pound lock was invented in the 10th century (during the
Song Dynasty). The canals size and grandeur won it the
admiration of many throughout history, including the
Japanese monk Ennin (794-864), the Persian historian Rashid
al-Din (1247-1318), and the Korean official Choe Bu
(1454-1504).
Historically, periodic flooding of the adjacent Yellow River
threatened the safety and functioning of the canal. During
wartime the high dikes of the Yellow River were sometimes
deliberately broken in order to flood advancing enemy
troops. This caused disaster and prolonged economic
hardships. Despite temporary periods of desolation and
disuse, the Grand Canal furthered an indigenous and growing
economic market in Chinas urban centers through all the ages
since the Sui period.
The Grand Canal in Suzhou, with wide surface, abundant and
crystal clear water, has been the best part of the Grand
Canal for shipping. The old canal is about 35km long from
Hushu Pass to Wujiang City. On both sides of the bank, white
walls and black tiles are dotted in the open green country.
The 53-hole Belt Bridge first built in Tang Dynasty lies
across the old canal like a rainbow floating on the wave.
The ancient ferries, ancient towing tie paths, ancient
bridges along the canal are all witnesses of the economic
development of the area along the old canal.
(ChinaTour.com)
