Changzhou Ancient Canal

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

The Changzhou Ancient Canal is part of the Grand Canal, part of the Jiangnan canal section which was dug in the Sui dynasty (581–618 CE). Standing in Piling Station (in Chinese: 毗陵驿)[1] 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.

For nearly two thousand years, the ancient canal has been the largest river of Changzhou, forming 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 and historical culture of Changzhou. The ancient canal has rich human resources and places of interest (including several archeological sites), and the protection and cultivation of these unique intangible cultural heritages has very significant and profound influence on the development of Changzhou. 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.

Description

The headwater of the Changzhou Ancient Canal is derives from Grate Kei Lane [2] and reaches Dongpo Park (Chinese: 东坡公园) in the north. If one takes the Huafang Ship[3] from Grate dustpan-shaped vessel lane wharf from which Qianlong Emperor has asored several times, there is an ancient alley full of historical sites, archaic rhyme and literary quotations. The hundred-meter-long alley contains Piling station,[4] Huaghua Pavilion [5] and Grate beam lights,[6] Along the ancient canal from Hangzhou to Changzhou, one passes the Outfitting the boat Pavilion,[7] also called Dongpo Outfitting the boat Pavilion because it is related to Su Shi.

Today, with the Outfitting of 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,[8] Beiting Qianlong,[9] and Imperial Wharf[10] all belonged to the city heritage objects. The Dongpo Park has been the best position for overlooking the grand Changzhou Ancient Canal.

Notes and References
  1. Upling Station is one of the oldest ancient Chinese station of water path. It was not only responsible for passing the imperial edicts and writs about military situations, but also for receiving high-rank officials. Although it was an official station, it can also send letters for private use in Tang and Song dynasty, and it was famous in Jiangnan.
  2. in Chinese:篦箕巷
  3. in chinese:画舫船, an ancient ship painted with beautiful pictures, usually looks like a royal room from which scenery can be seen on both sides on both sides.
  4. it is a Jiangnan station which is only next Jinling Station
  5. it is one of the three main pavilions used to receive officials in the Qing dynasty. In Chinese:黄华亭
  6. it is among the eight sceneries in the western suburbs of Changzhou，in Chinese:篦箕灯火
  7. It was first built in the southern song dynasty and was rebuilt in 1757 when Qianlong Emperor came to Jiangnan for the second time out of the respect of Su Shi. in Chinese:舣舟亭)
  8. (in Chinese: 东坡洗砚池)
  9. (in Chinese: 乾隆御碑亭)
  10. Archived 2012-04-30 at the Wayback Machine (in Chinese: 御码头)

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