Did you know that the Grand Canal, a marvel of engineering, stretches over 1,100 miles across China, making it the longest canal in the world? Constructed in sections from the 5th century BC to the Sui Dynasty (581–618 AD), it was built to connect the fertile but isolated south to the populous north, facilitating the transport of surplus crops and unifying the vast Chinese empire. As a backbone of ancient China’s economy, the canal stimulated trade, contributed to cultural exchanges, and solidified political power. Today, it stands not only as a testament to China's historical ambition but also as a spectacle of ancient ingenuity.
