The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal is the earliest and longest man-made canal in the world. With a total distance of more than 1700 kilometers, it starts from Beijing and ends in Hangzhou. The Grand Canal plays a great role in the exchange of economy and culture between southern and northern China, especially in the industrial and agricultural development in the canal line area.

Liaocheng in Shandong province is one of the nine major commercial ports along the canal. Guangyue Tower, also known as Yumu Tower, is one of the top ten famous towers in China. It is the largest existing pavilion of the Ming Dynasty in China. It has survived wars for more than 600 years without being damaged. It is a landmark building of Liaocheng but also an important carrier of canal culture.

Editor: Cheng Dengyu