Journey through time and water: The Beijing Grand Canal Museum opens

Situated in the suburbs of the capital, the Beijing Grand Canal Museum opened its doors to the public for the first time on December 27.

China's Grand Canal was initially constructed during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) and comprises three sections: the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, the Grand Canal in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, and the Zhedong Canal.

It is the longest and largest ancient canal system in the world and one that remains an important symbol of traditional Chinese culture, having witnessed significant changes in Chinese society over the centuries.

In recent years, several museums along the Grand Canal have opened up to showcase the culture of this historic mega project. Now, this newly opened museum has also become an essential public cultural facility along the Grand Canal.

This comprehensive smart museum has a total construction area of around 99,700 square meters, integrating function halls ranging from exhibition display areas and social education spaces to cultural heritage restoration workshops.

To celebrate its opening, the Beijing Grand Canal Museum has launched a series of exhibitions centered around the close relationship between the Grand Canal and the city of Beijing, focusing on the themes of people, water, and the city.

As the highlight of the museum, the core exhibition showcases over 1,000 cultural relics and artworks following a timeline that follows the development of the Grand Canal.

In the special and temporary exhibition spaces, the cities and landscapes located along the Grand Canal take center stage.

A 27.4-meter-long panoramic scroll presents the historical and cultural heritage of the Grand Canal and the iconic buildings of Beijing.

In addition to displaying the cultural heritage of the Grand Canal, the museum’s exhibits also highlight technological prowess. In the earthquake prevention exhibition hall, there is a piece of glass through which a seismic isolation bearing is visible. Underneath the exhibition building, there are around 240 such bearings that support the entire museum, significantly improving the safety of the building.