The Zhengzhou Section of the Tongji Canal of the Grand Canal

The Zhengzhou Section of the Tongji Canal of the Grand Canal

The Zhengzhou Section of the Tongji Canal of the Grand Canal is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Zhengzhou Section of the Tongji Canal of the Grand Canal is located in Huiji District, Zhengzhou City, and includes the Suoxu River section of the Tongji Canal and the Huiji Bridge section of the Tongji Canal. The Suoxu River section of the Tongji Canal follows the existing river course, stretching approximately 16 kilometers from Fengshuo Bridge in the west to the confluence with the Jialu River at Xiangyun Temple Village in the east, running in a west-to-east direction. This river is not navigable and currently serves mainly as an urban flood discharge and drainage channel as well as a scenic waterway. The Huiji Bridge section of the Tongji Canal has been confirmed through archaeological surveys and partial trial excavations to have largely intact underground remains of the riverbed and embankments. The surveyed section extends approximately 4 kilometers, starting from the northern end at the embankment of the Yellow River east of Dongsunzhuang Village and ending at Fengshuo Bridge in the Suoxu River section to the south. Apart from a short remaining section near Huiji Bridge, the rest of the canal is buried underground. According to archaeological investigations, the buried sections of the ancient canal are 150 to 220 meters wide, with river embankments that are intermittently preserved on both sides. The embankments are found to be 4 to 6 meters wide at the top and 8 to 12 meters wide at the base.

The Zhengzhou Section of the Tongji Canal is an important part of the Grand Canal of China. It lies along the main transport route and at key engineering points of the canal system, representing a historically significant, continuously used, and clearly evolved hydraulic facility. It stands as a masterpiece of human ingenuity in ancient China, creatively utilizing both natural rivers and artificially diverted water sources to feed the canal.

Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

Source: Zhengzhou Municipal Bureau of Cultural Relics