China’s Grand Canal
For centuries, the power of Chinese emperors rose and fell with their control of the Grand Canal. Today, this waterway is shorter than it once was, but it is still the longest man-made river in the world. Importantly, the Grand Canal continues to provide a vital cultural and economic link for modern China.
Construction Begins
The original canal system began around the year 605. China’s Emperor Yang realized that he needed a better way to feed his army. Specifically, he needed a way to move food quickly from China’s southern rice-growing region to the country’s north. So, the emperor ordered the construction of the first section of the Grand Canal, connecting existing canals, lakes, and rivers. An estimated one million people—mostly farmers—worked on the construction, which took six years.
Cultural Connections
In addition to moving rice around China, the Grand Canal was an important cultural conduit(渠道). Soldiers, merchants, and artists transported ideas, regional foods, and cultural practices from one part of China to another. According to legend, this is how Beijing acquired two of its best-known trademarks. Peking duck, a dish from Shandong Province, and the Peking opera,
