Complete map of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal in the Qing Dynasty

Author: Li Pei, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-08-01
Features: The "Complete Map of the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal in the Qing Dynasty" is now preserved in the National Basic Geographic Information Center. The original map measures 798 cm in length and 19.8 cm in width, with no indication of the drawing date or author. Scholars, based on the content of the map, its drawing style, and the type of paper used, have that the map was by Qing dynasty canal officials in the early years of the Guangxu reign. It is a canal situation map submitted by Qing canal officials and belongs to the original drawing. This map was drawn according to the [Six Principles of Cartography] proposed by Pei Xiu, a geographer from the Western Jin Dynasty, and provides a detailed depiction of the entire Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, stretching from Beijing Tongzhou in the north to Hangzhou Shaoxing Prefecture in the south. The map meticulously illustrates the prefectures, counties, water locks, embankments, mountains, rivers, lakes, and famous scenic spots along both banks of the canal. Even more valuable is the inclusion of extensive textual annotations, particularly regarding the names of local post stations, distances between water locks, the sources of the canal water, the sizes of lake areas, jurisdictional boundaries of river offices and counties, the flood and drought cycles of the canal water, and shipping conditions. Truly, it is a map rich in both text and illustration. The preservation of this map provides precious materials for studying the development of Chinese cartography, and it holds great reference value for researching China's history, geography, river and lake changes, and canal engineering projects.