Cultural Beijing — Yuhe/Jade River

Beijing is unusual for a large capital. Unlike most historic cities built on rivers or coastlines, Beijing doesn't sit next to any significant bodies of water. Instead, the city enjoys a 700-year-old system of waterways designed by the Chinese mathematician and scientist Guo Shoujing (1231-1316). When Kublai Khan made Beijing the capital of his empire, he employed Guo to build reservoirs and canals that would connect the Khan's city with the Grand Canal. You can still walk along these fantastic waterways, including a restored section known as the Jade River, just north of the Forbidden City.
#beijinghistory #chinesehistory #kublaikhan #historicwaterways #historiccanals #transportationhistory #beijingscenicspots #beijingvideo #jaderiver #yuheancientchannel #culturalbeijing #InstaBeijing #HistoryFacts #HistoryLovers #HistoryInPictures