The water conservancy engineering technology of the Grand Canal of China represents the highest achievement of ancient science and technology. From lock design to water level regulation, from arc-shaped waterways to water distribution hubs, technological innovations along the canal have driven the development of water conservancy projects. These technologies spread to various places through the canal network, promoting the improvement of agricultural irrigation, urban water supply and flood control systems, and becoming an important channel for the exchange of ancient technologies.

The Grand Canal has built an economic artery connecting the north and the south and formed a unique canal commercial civilization. Through the transportation of the Grand Canal, silk, tea and porcelain from the south moved northward, while grains and furs from the north moved southward. The cities along the river flourished because of commerce. The canal gave rise to the development of the port economy, warehousing industry and finance industry. Canal cities such as Yangzhou, Suzhou and Hangzhou became important commercial centers.

The Grand Canal is not only a passage for the circulation of materials, but also a bond for cultural exchange. The canal connects the civilizations of the Yellow River and the Yangtze River, promoting the integration of the cultures of the north and the south. The cultural elements such as opera, folk customs, cuisine and architecture along the river influence each other, forming a unique canal cultural belt. The academies and temples along the Grand Canal have witnessed the collision of ideas and contributed to the diversity and unity of Chinese culture.