Introduction to the Ancient Canal: The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal is one of the longest, largest and oldest canals in the world. It began in the Spring and Autumn Period, formed in the Sui Dynasty, developed in the Tang and Song Dynasties, and finally became a water transportation artery connecting the five major river systems of the Haihe River, Yellow River, Huaihe River, Yangtze River, and Qiantang River in the Yuan Dynasty, running from north to south.