The Grand Canal was inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2014.

The Grand Canal traverses Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, covering 35 cities. It includes three main sections:the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, the Eastern Zhejiang Canal, and the Sui-Tang Grand Canal. Its oldest section is the Hangou Canal, constructed by the order of King Fuchai of Wu during the late Spring and Autumn period. It was later expanded significantly during the Sui and Yuan dynasties, linking natural waterways through dredging and connecting them to form a crucial transportation artery. To date, the Grand Canal remains a vital internal waterway for transportation in China.

The Grand Canal has significantly contributed to the economic and cultural development and exchange between northern and southern China, particularly by fostering agricultural and industrial growth along its route. Additionally, it showcases the development of Chinese history, canal navigation landscapes, water management technologies, and the cultural traditions, urban landscapes, and historical relics associated with the canal.