In April 2024, the Grand Canal Cultural Dictionary was published, aiming to deepen people's understanding and appreciation of the Grand Canal's history and culture.
The dictionary is divided into eight volumes, each representing one of the provinces or cities the canal traverses: Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang. Centered on the theme of Grand Canal Culture, it delves into the historical and current significance of the canal, systematically presenting its cultural value and spirit.
The richly detailed book includes about 9,000 entries, totaling 5.85 million words, and features over 700 images. It is based on historical documents, heritage application materials, research monographs, archaeological reports, and field surveys.
The dictionary covers various aspects of the canal across different historical periods, including waterways, hydraulic engineering, canal management, and related geography, economy, society, culture, notable figures, and historical events. It shares academic research in an easy-to-understand manner, featuring a straightforward writing style, an intuitive indexing system, and a timeline of major events for easy reference.
As the first extensive dictionary dedicated to the Grand Canal's culture, the work fills a significant gap in canal studies, serving as an invaluable resource for understanding the canal's cultural heritage and promoting its ongoing preservation and appreciation.