Table 1 Historical periods and major advances
Historical period | Major advances | Duration |
|---|---|---|
Pre-Sui (600 BCE-581 CE) | Origin of the GCC, Suzhou section | 1181Â years |
Sui and Tang (581 CE-907 CE) | Formation and development of the GCC as an independent hydrological system | 326Â years |
Five Dynasties to Song (907 CE-1279 CE) | Growth and progress in the canal system | 372Â years |
Yuan and Ming (1271 CE-1644 CE) | Peak in constructing the canal system in Suzhou Ancient City | 373Â years |
Qing (1644 CE-1912 CE) | Stable and complete layout of the canal system | 268Â years |
Modern Times (1912 CE-present) | Reconstruction of the GCC, Suzhou section | 111Â years |