Path Seekers 问道中国⑤｜运河水道：千年滋养 源远流长

　　Matthieu Ventelon, who has a Chinese name "Maizi", hails from Toulouse, a city in southwestern France through which the world"s first UNESCO World Heritage canal, the Canal du Midi, flows. Having lived and worked in Suzhou for seven years, Maizi still resides by a canal. However, this time it is the Grand Canal of China, a waterway of great historical and cultural significance to this country.

　　Stretching nearly 3,200 kilometers, the Grand Canal has a history spanning over 2,500 years. It is the world"s largest, longest, and oldest canal, traversing time and space while connecting the north and south of China. The Grand Canal flows through eight provinces and municipalities and links five major river systems. It stands as a vital symbol of Chinese civilization. In 2014, the Grand Canal was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a cultural heritage site.

　　One of Maizi"s friends, Gong Liang, Honorary director of Nanjing Museum, once participated in the Grand Canal"s World Heritage application. In early spring, when the fresh Biluochun tea leaves turn green, Maizi invited Mr. Gong to start from Suzhou to explore the Grand Canal. Joining them was another of Maizi"s Suzhou friends, Mao Chengyi, a young overseas returnee.

　　Suzhou is the only city along the Grand Canal that has been inscribed onto the World Cultural Heritage list with the concept of an ancient city. Its prosperity and cultural richness have been nourished by the canal for thousands of years. People live along the canal, and the city thrive because of the canal. Maizi discovered that such connections continue to this day. On the Ancient Towpath of Wujiang, he observed cargo boats bustling back and forth, a testament to the Grand Canal"s ongoing role as a vital transport route. At Baodai Bridge, Mao Chengyi shared with Maizi the enchanting scene of "Moon Stringed on the Bridge" on the Mid-Autumn Festival, a cherished memory for Suzhou locals who grow up by the canal.

　　Maizi"s exploration also included tasting Suzhou-style noodles, experiencing the traditional craft of Taohuawu Woodblock New Year Prints, boating along Shantang River, and exploring historical relics. As these moments unfolded, a modern rendition of the famous “Suzhou"s Golden Age” painting seemed to come alive before Maizi"s eyes. He felt the fusion of northern and southern areas facilitated by the canal, marveled at the diverse cultural "pearls" strung together by this waterway, and embraced the vitality of everyday life flourishing along its banks.

　　As night fell, the trio raised their glasses to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, savoring the joy of the Grand Canal adventure.

　　"In Jiangsu, rivers, lakes, and seas are its lifeblood. The Grand Canal imparts a spirit of dynamism and inclusiveness to this region." Mr. Gong said. The Grand Canal flows through eight cities in Jiangsu. For Maizi, Suzhou is just the first window into its story. From Suzhou, the canal winds northward in Jiangsu through Wuxi, Changzhou, Zhenjiang, Yangzhou, Huai"an, Suqian, and Xuzhou, with each city offering its fascinating stories. Inspired, Maizi decides to journey along the canal to uncover more of its landscapes, exploring the enduring vitality of the canal and this country.

　　来自法国的麦子（Matthieu Ventelon）家乡在图卢兹，一座法国西南部的城市，第一条世界遗产运河——米迪运河流经了那里。在苏州工作生活7年，麦子如今还是生活在运河边，这条运河对中国也意义非凡，它就是中国大运河。

　　绵延近3200公里的中国大运河，至今已有2500多年历史，是世界上规模最大、线路最长、延续时间最久的运河。穿越古今，纵贯南北，它流经8个省市，连接5大水系，是中华文明的重要标识。2014年，中国大运河被列入《世界遗产名录》，成为世界文化遗产。

　　麦子的苏州朋友、南京博物院名誉院长龚良曾参与大运河的申遗工作。在江南初春、碧螺春新绿之时，麦子邀请龚良先生一起在苏州“问道”大运河，麦子的另一位苏州朋友、年轻的“海归”茅澄怡也加入其中。

　　苏州是运河沿线唯一以古城概念申遗的城市。姑苏繁华，千年滋养，城因河而兴，人依河而居，麦子发现这样的联系今天仍在延续。在古纤道，麦子看见装载货物的船只往来穿梭，直观感受这条“黄金水道”当下仍在发挥重要运输作用。在宝带桥，茅澄怡向麦子讲述中秋佳节“宝带串月”奇观，那是属于运河边长大的苏州人的温暖记忆。品尝苏式面条，体验桃花坞木版年画，山塘河坐船游览，古城探寻遗迹……此刻，一幅现代版的《姑苏繁华图》在麦子眼前徐徐展开，他体会运河带来的南北融汇，见证沿线丰富多彩的文化“珍珠”串珠成链，也在河畔升腾的“烟火气”中读懂运河对美好生活的滋养。夜幕之下，三人举杯共庆中法建交60周年，分享苏州“问道”之旅的愉快体验。

　　“水韵江苏，江河湖海是它的血脉。”龚良先生告诉麦子，像水一样灵动、包容，这是大运河赋予这里的精神气质。大运河在江苏流经了8个城市，苏州只是麦子观察运河的第一窗口。从苏州一路向北，无锡、常州、镇江、扬州、淮安、宿迁、徐州，沿线的每个城市都有不同的精彩故事。麦子也决定沿着运河去解锁更多风景，感受这份绵延的生命力和不息的历史脉动。