The canal system


Week 13: Medieval China IDs

The canal system

 

The Medieval Chinese canal system was conjured up by Fu Chai (the Duke of Wu) around the late Spring and Autumn Period (722-481 BC) in order to increase the ability to send Chinese soliders efficiently throughout mainland China. During the Sui Dynasty (581-618 A.D.), the gradual construction of more canels took place and in 604, Emperor Yang Guang (or Sui Yangdi) relocated the capital of China to Luoyang from Chang'an. This relacation led to the request for building the Grand Canal which connected Beijing and Hangzhou. The Grand Canal connected over five rivers and the construction took more then six years to complete. It was eventually cut down and reduced to a smaller size because it was nolonger very useful because the capital was changed to Beijing during the Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368. Later the canal was reconstructed and it is still in use today, but more for sentimental value, trade, and public transportation.

Luke Gillis