The Grand Canal

Crystal Highway of Ancient China

The Grand Canal (a.k.a. the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal) is the longest ancient canal in China and the world. Starting in Beijing, it passes through Tianjin and the provinces of Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang to the city of Hangzhou, and historically contributed to the economic and cultural development of, and communication between northern and southern China, particularly industrial and agricultural development and the emergence of cities and towns along the Canal. This route offers you a glimpse into the wisdom and ingenuity of the Chinese people’s forbears.