Hong Gou

Hong Gou (Hong Canal) was China's earliest man-made canal linking the Yellow River and the Huaihe River. The construction of the canal began in 361BC during the Warring States Period (475-221BC).

The canal was one of the major waterways between the Yellow River and the Huaihe River from its completion till 581AD when the government of the Sui Dynasty (581-618) finished digging the Ji Qu, replacing the role of Hong Gou. But part of Hong Gou still played a role in connecting the Yellow River and the Huaihe River.

During the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368), the capital was removed to Dadu (current Beijing), and the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal were constructed, which became the most important waterway in ancient China. From then on, Hong Gou was gradually buried in silt.