The Grand Canal, also known as the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, is the world's oldest and longest canal, built more than 2,500 years ago.

The canal runs from Beijing in the North to Hangzhou, with a total length of about 1,797 kilometers. It is also the largest and most extensive canal project built prior to the Industrial Revolution.

At more than 120 kilometers in a total length, the Zhejiang section of the canal, from Hangzhou to Huzhou, connects to East Zhejiang and extends to the Port of Ningbo, and is currently navigable, known as the Golden Waterway for transportation.

The Grand Canal of China, including the Sui and Tang dynasties Grand Canal, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and the Canal in East Zhejiang, were listed on UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage list in June, 2014.