The summer journey “Following the Footsteps of General Secretary and Passing on the Spirit of the Grand Canal,” co-organized by the Cheong Kun Lun College, University of Macau and the Jingwen College of Jiangsu Normal University, took place from June 3 to June 10, 2025. The Grand Canal is a flowing culture that has historically played significant roles in transportation, economy and ecology. We aim to effectively protect, inherit, and utilize this heritage. This learning exchange program helped students understand the culture of the Grand Canal and the culture of the Han Dynasty, deepening the youth of Macau’s awareness and understanding of the culture of the mainland.

The journey also allowed teachers and students to follow the footsteps of General Secretary Xi Jinping, visiting Xuzhou, Huaian, Yangzhou, and Zhenjiang for research. They gained insights into the historical and cultural significance of the Grand Canal, enhancing national pride, sharing the stories of the canal, promoting its spirit, and passing on the legacy of the Grand Canal.

Jiangsu Province is a key area through which the Grand Canal flows, along with other provinces and cities such as Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Anhui, and Zhejiang. Its history dates back to the Spring and Autumn Period. Since the Sui Dynasty, significant efforts have been made to excavate major sections of the canal. In contemporary times, the Grand Canal not only serves as a transportation route but has also become an excellent destination for exploring historical and geographical significance.

The first stop was Xuzhou, which holds a unique position in Chinese history. Here, Han culture, Central Plains culture, Yellow River culture, and Yangtze River culture converge. The Xuzhou section of the Grand Canal is rich in cultural heritage, featuring remnants of waterways, water conservancy, and navigation engineering, as well as settlements, ecological landscapes, and both tangible and intangible cultural heritage related to the canal. Students experienced the charm of the canal through cultural activities, visited historical sites, and appreciated the simplicity of local customs.

Through documenting their visits, engaging in intangible cultural heritage experiences, and participating in presentations, our college students were encouraged to express their thoughts and suggestions regarding the protection, inheritance, and utilization of the Grand Canal. They took a boat ride in the water service area of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, exploring cultural, shipping, and ecological developments along the route. Additionally, students visited museums such as the China Grand Canal Museum, the China Vinegar Culture Museum, and the Zhenjiang Museum, as well as historical sites like Slender West Lake and Guazhou Ancient Ferry, to appreciate the Grand Canal’s influence on China’s past and present.

This Jiangsu summer journey allowed students from two universities and two colleges to deepen their understanding of each other. Beyond personally experiencing the history and culture of the Grand Canal, participants could appreciate the sentiments of a historically significant city. Through mutual exchange and learning, the journey fostered camaraderie among teachers and students, uniting them as one. The friendship between the two regions will flow just like the Grand Canal, rich and enduring.

 

The Opening Ceremony of the Grand Canal Cultural Heritage Tour

 

Visit Hubu Mountain

 

Visit the China Grand Canal Museum

 

Visit the newly-opened Suiyangdi Ling Museum

 

 

CKLC students were awarded the Cultural Heritage Tour Certificate