WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Emperor Yang of the Sui wanted a quicker and more efficient way of transporting grain to his capital city at Beijing. He also needed to supply his army that guarded northern China from the Mongols.

Detailed explanation-2: -China’s Grand Canal connected the north to the south, areas separated by mountainous regions and various major waterways, thus influencing trade from the south to the north. This was especially helpful since the south was more of a robust agricultural area.

Detailed explanation-3: -Although it was mainly used for shipping grain, the waterway also transported other commodities. The area around the Grand Canal eventually developed into an important business belt. Records show that every year more than 8, 000 boats transported 4 to 6 million dan (200, 000 to 300, 000 tonnes) of grain to Beijing.

Detailed explanation-4: -One of the greatest benefits of the canal system in the Tang dynasty-and subsequent dynasties-was that it reduced the cost of shipping grain that had been collected in taxes (caoyun) from the Yangtze River Delta to northern China.

Detailed explanation-5: -The Canal provided a means of trade and transportation between North China and Southern China. The Grand Canal allows ships to travel between China’s two main river systems. The Chinese locks on the Grand Canal will enable canals to be built all over the world.

Detailed explanation-6: -The expansion of canal communications helped ancient China accomplish the tasks of the military and meet the economic demand. The Grand Canal offered ample facility to transport food and goods from south to north in the early times.