China's Grand Canal is the longest, as well as one of the oldest artificial waterways in the world. Constructed in 486 B.C., it was expanded on a number of occasions during the following three centuries. The canal extends for a total of 1,795 Km, making it longer than both the Panama and the Suez canals. The Grand Canal is also relatively wide, and is never narrower than 30m. Most sections of the waterway are closer to 100m in width.
A section of the Grand Canal is navigable, but most of it is not. The waterway cuts through major urban centers, such as Beijing and Tianjin. The canal has been key in the fields of economy and culture, and it also helped foster social and national cohesion, as it connected various parts of country. Today, the canal continues to have an important commercial purpose, as it is used to transport wholesale goods and industrial materials
A section of the Grand Canal is navigable, but most of it is not. The waterway cuts through major urban centers, such as Beijing and Tianjin. The canal has been key in the fields of economy and culture, and it also helped foster social and national cohesion, as it connected various parts of country. Today, the canal continues to have an important commercial purpose, as it is used to transport wholesale goods and industrial materials