Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government recently held a press conference to officially launch the Historical Atlas of the Grand Canal. This publication represents the first systematic compilation of historical maps covering the entire Grand Canal region. Following previous works such as the Historical Atlas of the Yangtze River and the Atlas of Ancient Cities in Jiangsu, this new atlas marks another major achievement in the province’s initiative to develop and utilize historical resources, and a new milestone in promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of Grand Canal culture.

The compilation of the Atlas brought together contributions from Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing Library, Jiangsu Local Chronicles Museum, Phoenix Publishing House and other institutions. Focusing primarily on the Jiangsu-Zhejiang sections while covering the entire Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, the editors meticulously selected rare historical maps from over 2,000 ancient local chronicles, cartographic records, administrative documents, and military manuals. These maps depict canal routes, hydraulic engineering, cultural customs along the waterways, and administrative management of the canal.  

The final publication comprises one boxed set containing four main volumes, along with an introductory and a concluding volume, spanning nearly 200 folded sheets. The Atlas is divided into nine sections: Ancient Canal Maps, Complete Map of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Maps of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Section, Shandong Section, Northern Jiangsu Section, Huaiyang (Central Jiangsu) Section, Southern Jiangsu Section, Eastern Zhejiang Section, and Canal Administration Maps. It offers a panoramic presentation of the Grand Canal’s historical features and cultural heritage. Notably, some of the materials are published in high resolution for the first time.

Experts and scholars noted that the Atlas outlines the essential configuration of China’s primary canal system and preserves a vast array of historical relics. It will provide solid academic support for the development of the Grand Canal Cultural Belt, offer references for the tracing and restoration of historical sites, and serve as both a “living gene bank” of Chinese civilization and an “incubator” for cultural innovation.