More than 2,500 years ago, Fu Chai, king of the State Wu, supervised the excavation of Han Gou(Han Canal) in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, starting the long history of China’s Grand Canal. Known as the longest artificial canal in the world, the Grand Canal connects eastern China one whole. It serves as the carrier of the long history and splendid Chinese civilization, and embodies the Chinese wisdom in transforming and utilizing nature. Therefore, it was included in the World Heritage List in 2014. The Grand Canal in particular runs through eight cities of Jiangsu Province, including Yangzhou, where it originates, stretching to 690 kilometers with 22 heritage sites and 6 heritage sections. Numerous traditional gardens, ancient towns, and eye-dazzling pagodas line both sides of the canal. Thanks to the Grand Canal, cities along which have developed various specialties such as agriculture, rituals, cuisine, and folk culture, contributing to water charm and humanistic connotation of Jiangsu.
