The Grand Canal is the longest canal in the world, linking Beijing and Hangzhou through Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Construction began in the 5th century BC but sections were combined later. At 1,776 km long, it connects the Yellow River and Yangtze River. It was important for trade and economic growth but also threatened by flooding from the Yellow River.

1. Ano ang Grand Canal?
Grade 7
Araling Panlipunan
Sui Wandi (2)
Asia

2. The Grand Canal (also known as the Beijing-
Hangzhou Grand Canal), a UNESCO World
Heritage Site, is the longest canal or artificial
river in the world and a famous tourist
destination. Starting at Beijing, it passes
through Tianjin and the provinces of Hebei,
Shandong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang to the city of
Hangzhou, linking the Yellow River and
Yangtze River. The oldest parts of the canal
date back to the 5th century BC, although the
various sections were finally combined

3. Grand Canal of China

4. The total length of the Grand Canal is 1,776 km
(1,104 mi). Its greatest height is reached in the
mountains of Shandong, at a summit of 42 m
(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 (960–1279), by the
government official and engineer Qiao Weiyo.
The canal has been admired by many throughout
history including Japanese monk Ennin (794–
864), Persian historian Rashid al-Din (1247–
1318), Korean official Choe Bu (1454–1504), and
Italian missionary Matteo Ricci (1552–1610).

5. 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 China's urban
centers since the Sui period. It has allowed faster
trading and has improved China's economy.