---
node: grand_canal_construction
type: event
slug: construction_of_the_grand_canal
title: "Construction of the Grand Canal"
lead: "Between 605 and 610, Emperor Yang of Sui had older waterways linked and extended into a canal system connecting the Yangtze and Yellow River regions. It became the economic spine of later dynasties and remains the world's longest artificial waterway."
published: 2026-07-09
updated: 2026-07-09
image_file: construction_of_the_grand_canal.jpg
image_source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grand_Canal_(40832807791).jpg"
image_author: "David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada"
image_license: "CC BY 2.0"
---

## What happened

On Emperor Yang's orders, older waterways were joined and extended into a canal system running from Hangzhou in the south toward Luoyang and on toward the Beijing area, linking the Yangtze and Yellow River regions.

## Background

The work was carried out by millions of conscripted laborers. The human cost was heavy, and it helped bring the Sui dynasty down.

## Consequences

Grain from the productive south could now feed the political and military north, making the canal the economic spine of later dynasties. Rerouted and maintained under the Yuan and after, it remains the world's longest artificial waterway and was inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage in 2014.