Transportion along the canal
Transport by land is ten times as costly as transport by water.
First -Class Canal Lock
My journey starts with visiting the the highest-ranking and widest inland river lock in the Yangtze River Delta, the Yuxi First - Class Canal Lock.
Located at the junction of the Yuxi River and the Yangtze River, it siginificantly enhances the ability of Hefei, an inland city, to transport goods and cargo along the Grand canal, or even to the open sea. The original Yuxi First-Class Lock, completed in 1969, had been in operation for over 50 years with an annual designed cargo throughput capacity of 23.65 million tons. However, after decades of use, it suffered significant wear and tear, with outdated transverse gate equipment and frequent maintenance issues, rendering the lock structure overburdened.
With the completion of the new lock, the shipping route will save approximately 15 days for a round trip of cargo ships from Hefei to Chaohu, Yuxi River, and the Yangtze River and nearly 220 million yuan in logistics costs annually.
Town that flourished
Born of the river, the town thrives,
Positioned along the banks of the Yangtze River, Xihe Town became an important transportation and trading hub due to its strategic locatin. Historically, the town played a key role in the regional economy, serving as a connecting point for river-based trade routes, including the transport of grain and other goods that were crucial to both local and national economies.
The town reached its pinnacle during Qing dynasty. It become a distribution center for bamboo, wood, firewood, and charcoal from the mountain regions, while grain merchants from downstream set up points to purchase grain. In addition to general merchandise shops, new businesses, including distilleries, sugar mills, pharmacies, tobacco shops, inns, and restaurants, were established.
It's time to learn about the food, culture, and many more of the Xihe Town.