Grand Canal of China
Gran Canal de China
- Date
- 609 · confidence high
- Place
- Luoyang–Hangzhou, Sui China
- Credited to
- Emperor Yang of Sui
- Field
- Movement
What it is
An artificial canal 1,800 km long linking the Yangtze and the Yellow River, built by millions of forced labourers. The greatest work of premodern hydraulic engineering and a unifying force for China.
What it led to
- the economic unification of north and south China and the fiscal transport of grain
- the development of locks and flat-bottomed barges
- Tang and Song prosperity and the status of Kaifeng and Hangzhou as capitals
Built on
- Lingqu Canal214 BCE
- Han and Warring States canals
- containment dyke
Made possible
- Pound lock984
- Pound lock