Rise and Fall of the Grand Canal in the Ancient Kaifeng City of China: Role of the Grand Canal and Water Supply in Urban and Regional Development

In the long history of feudal society China, Kaifeng played a vital role. During Northern Song Dynasty, became worldwide metropolis. The important reason was that Grand Canal, which excavated during Sui main transportation artery for political and military center north economic south. Furthermore, located at made it capital later Dynasty. Dynasty called “the canal-centered era.” development canal caused series major changes in were different from previous ones, directly led to revolution, turn, promoted commercial revolution urbanization Kaifeng. commerce contributed agricultural money revolutions. After moved Yuan excavation Canal so water transport did not have pass through Central Plains. relocation change route lose value connecting south, resulting long-time fall Bianhe River. Kaifeng, had prospered more than 100 years, declined gradually, by end Qing common town ancient rise cities regions closely related canal, relationship between typical. may provide some inspiration increasingly severe urban regional sustainable issues contemporary times.