Tuesday, June 25, 2024 In 2024, the Grand Canal celebrated the 10th anniversary of its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This recognition has rejuvenated the Grand Canal, acknowledging its historical significance and highlighting the ongoing commitment to its future preservation and development. In Cangzhou, Hebei Province, significant progress has been made in safeguarding, preserving, and promoting the culture of the Grand Canal.
The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, the world’s longest and most extensive ancient canal, stands as one of the oldest and greatest engineering feats in history. Alongside the Great Wall, it is heralded as one of the three monumental projects of ancient China. This enduring waterway, still in use today, is a testament to the ingenuity of the ancient Chinese and a symbol of China’s rich cultural heritage.
Stretching 216 kilometers through Cangzhou, the Grand Canal not only nourishes the fertile lands of this region but also shapes its cultural and economic identity. The canal has been integral to Cangzhou’s prosperity, transforming it from a major transportation hub during the Ming and Qing dynasties into a modern center of logistics and cultural heritage. The canal is the lifeblood of the city, infusing it with economic vitality and cultural confidence.
The intertwining of water and culture has led to a vibrant cultural scene in Cangzhou. Over the past decade, the city has capitalized on the Grand Canal’s resources to develop a uniq.
