| The Grand Canal |
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| Second only to the Great Wall, the Grand Canal was imperial China's largest building project from more than 2,000 years ago. The Emperor was more interested in moving troops quickly than commerce. Much of the Grand Canal is silted in and unusable today. But like the Great Wall, segments of the Grand Canal still look the part and can handle boat traffic. It's another scene best captured on my video. |
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| Many Grand Canal boats look like they are sinking under the weight of their cargo. Not the case. It's their ability to survive in the Grand Canal's shallow waters that somehow manage to keep these crafts afloat. |
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| The Grand Canal can get really crowded. Most boats post a lookout on the bow to avoid collisions. |
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| Many boats appear to be family enterprises, with husbands, wives, and children on board. I suspect the boats are their only real home. Still, it's a friendly atmosphere on the Grand Canal, as tourists exchange waves with the kids and parents. |
| If you have a high speed internet connection, watch the Intrepid Berkeley Explorer's free film of this trip, "The Last Emperor's Home Video", by clicking on AdventurePics.com . |
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