Qing Dynasty Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal Operations and Maintenance

Timeline

1. 1644–1655Huai'an Prefecture · Jiangsu ProvinceThe Ming–Qing transition and Southern Ming fighting caused silting of the Yellow–Huai canal routes and disrepair of locks and dams; grain barges were often rerouted or delayed, capital grain supplies grew tight at times, and the Qing court made canal repair a priority of state.
2. 1662–1668Jining · Shandong ProvinceThe Qing court ordered the Governor-General of River Conservancy to systematically dredge key sections such as the Huitong River, repair locks and dams, and restore barge convoys; hub cities like Jining once again took on grain transfer and storage functions.
3. 1669–1670Tongzhou · Beijing MunicipalityGrain barges reached Tongzhou via the canal and entered the capital; by the early Kangxi reign the Qing canal operations system had largely recovered to Ming-era scale, and south-to-north grain transport once again became the empire's main transport trunk.