The Longest and Oldest Canal in the World

Built more than 2,500 years ago with a length of over 3,200 km, this is the longest and oldest man-made canal in the world.

1/4. Which is the longest and oldest canal in the world?



The Grand Canal, the longest and oldest man-made canal in the world, stretches from Beijing in the north to Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province. Its total length is over 3,200 kilometers (2,000 miles).


The canal was built in sections starting in the 5th century BC, more than 2,500 years ago. However, it was not until the 7th century, under Emperor Yang of the Sui dynasty, that the canal underwent a massive expansion to reach its present scale.

2/4. How many major rivers does this canal connect?



The Grand Canal winds through eight provinces and connects five major rivers: the Hai, Yellow, Huai, Yangtze, and Qiantang.


At its height, the canal had more than 2,000 branches, enabling the transport of surplus grain from the Yangtze and Huai river basins to the imperial capital and northern garrisons. It also played a vital role in trade, cultural exchange, and integration between northern and southern China.

3/4. How many main routes does this project include?



The Grand Canal consists of three main routes: the Beijing–Hangzhou Canal, the Sui–Tang Canal, and the Eastern Zhejiang Canal.

In the 7th century, more than three million peasants were mobilized to expand the canal. Historical records note that nearly half of them died from exhaustion and hunger. By the year 735, nearly 150 million kilograms of grain were transported annually, alongside textiles, ceramics, and other goods.

In 2014, the Grand Canal was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

4/4. In which year was the canal fully reopened?



As railways grew, the Grand Canal fell into neglect. In 2017, President Xi Jinping stressed that it must be preserved and revitalized.


Restoration projects followed, focusing on preventing water pollution, planting aquatic vegetation, and developing fisheries. In April 2022, the ship lock at Sannü Temple in Shandong Province opened, marking the first time in 100 years that the entire waterway was fully navigable again.

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