Changzhou Ancient Canal (Chinese: 常州古运河) is a 44.2-kilometre canal in China, which runs in the southeast-northwest direction in Changzhou of Jiangsu Province, China .
History:
This canal is part of the Jiangnan canal which was dug in the Sui Dynasty (581-618 CE). Standing in ling Station (in Chinese: 毗陵驿) which is located on the north shore of the canal has kept looking at the transport fleet in the canal. Piling station is one of the largest ancient China waterway stations. It was responsible for passing the emperors' imperial edicts and writs about military situations. Besides, it also used to receive high-ranking officials which is famous in Jiangnan.
Changzhou Ancient Canal is part of the Grand Canal. For thousands of years, the ancient canal has been the largest river of Changzhou. The ancient canal has rich human resources and places of interest, and it has several archeological sites bearing the historical culture of Changzhou. Nowadays Changzhou Ancient Canal is becoming landscape tourist combining scenery with historical human landscape.
Undergoing the two-thousand-year sediment, the Grand Canal has formed its specific culture and folk custom. During the 28th World Heritage Convention, the Chinese related department prepared to apply the canal as the alternative project of the World Heritage Site with other 17 cities. The United States have concluded the character of the Grand Canal that it represents the migrate and move of human beings, the constant exchange and mutual benefit of commodity, thought, knowledge and values, and represents the exchange and mutual nourishment of the culture in time and space.
Changzhou is an indispensable part of the Jinghang Great Canal bidding for the world heritage. Since two thousand years ago, the ancient canal has formed the specific features and cultural characteristics of Changzhou, which is a city owning pink wall and black tile, a small bridge over the flowing stream, plowing people and people living along the river. The businessmen trade, canal water transport, wood, rice, bean, fruit, tea industry and the national industry and commerce have contributed to the economic glory of Changzhou. The protecting and development of these unique intangible cultural heritages has very realistic and profound influence on the new development of Changzhou.
Introduction:
The head water of Changzhou Ancient Canal is derives from Grate Kei Lane and reaches Dongpo Park(in Chinese:东坡公园) in the north. If you take the Huafang Ship from Grate dustpan-shaped vessel lane wharf from which Qianlong Emperor has asored several times, you can browse the ancient alley full of historical sites, archaic rhyme and literary quotations. The hundred-meter-long alley contains Piling station, Huaghua Pavilion and Grate beam lights, etc. If you go along the Ancient Canal from Hangzhou to Changzhou,you are certain to pass the Outfitting the boat Pavilion ，also called Dongpo Outfitting the boat Pavilion because it is related to Su Shi.
Today, with the Outfitting the boat Pavilion (in Chinese: 舣舟亭) being the centre, it formed the Dongpo Park which combines Changzhou Ancient Canal, historical sites and new sceneries. Dongpo Washing inkstone, Beiting Qianlong, and Imperial Wharf all belonged to the city heritage objects. The Dongpo Park has been the best position for overlooking the grand Changzhou Ancient Canal.