In 2014, the Grand Canal was inscribed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, recognizing its significance as the world's oldest and longest artificial waterway still partially in use.

Stretching 1,776 kilometers from Beijing to Zhejiang, the canal passes through eight provinces and contains over 150 national-level cultural relics along its route. These relics reflect the canal's role in political, economic, and cultural development throughout Chinese history.

Preserving these landmarks protects both China’s hydraulic engineering achievements and the living traditions embedded in these sites, helping to ensure this 2,000-year legacy continues to endure for future generations.