WHI-Chap15-Grand Canal

The Grand Canal was a man-made waterway that was completed by emperor Sui Yangdi (604-618 CE) to facilitate trade between the northern and southern regions of China. It was a massive waterway that started in Hangzhou in the south and went to Chang'an in the west and Beijing in the north. The Grand Canal was the only practical way to transport large quantities of food, since it was the only north-south waterway in China. The Grand Canal allowed the abundant supply of food near the Yangzi River to be available to the northern region (Traditions and Encounters, 377). The Grand Canal was important because it unified the Sui dynasty and provided an economical way to transport goods between the north and south of China.

[1]

    Describe the Tang Dynasty’s military accomplishments, its economic development, and its cultural achievements.
    See this question for more information the Tang dynasty's achievements--The Grand Canal helped with transportation and communications.

--Brett Gutstein 13:20, 8 May 2010 (CDT)Return to WHI-Second Semester