City nurtured by Grand Canal

The picturesque surroundings along the canal banks. [Photo by Xu Yanlin and Wang Yinchen for chinadaily.com.cn]

Linqing, a county-level city administered by Liaocheng city in East China's Shandong province, derives its name from its close proximity to the ancient Qing River. During the Sui Dynasty (581-618), Emperor Yang of Sui initiated the construction of the renowned Grand Canal, with Linqing emerging as a vital hub along its route. Flourishing for centuries during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), the canal transportation system in Linqing fostered a rich canal culture. This legacy has left behind numerous cultural relics, establishing the section of the canal from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) in Linqing as an essential component of the Grand Canel, a world cultural heritage site. In recent years, Linqing has been working to improve the environment of the Yuan and Ming dynasty (1271-1644) sections of the canal, resulting in a noticeable improvement in the waterways' appearance and the living environment for local residents. (Edited by Du Xiaping)