Shichahai is not only the terminal of the Grand Canal but also the starting point of the Tonghui River, and it is the most important water transport terminal in Beijing. Today, Shichahai still preserves a good canal channel, with beautiful canal ecological scenery and historical and cultural resources.

Guo Shoujing, a water conservancy expert in the Yuan Dynasty, planned, designed, and presided over the construction of the Shandong section of the Grand Canal, Tonghui River, and other projects, and transformed the east-west canal in the Sui and Tang Dynasties into the Grand Canal running through the north and south so that the boats could directly go to the Jishuitan in Dayidu, the capital of the Yuan Dynasty. With his contributions, the whole line of the Grand Canal was put into use. To display Guo Shoujing's great achievements in Beijing's water conservancy planning and the Grand Canal construction, the Memorial Museum of Guo Shoujing started the exhibition renovation and upgrading project in 2017, which was included in the key projects of Beijing Grand Canal cultural belt construction.

The exhibition shows the completion, use, and maintenance of the Beijing water system from the beginning of the establishment of Dayidu, covering the whole history of the Grand Canal. It shows how the sluice of the Tonghui River functions in the form of phantom imaging, lets everyone know about today's Shichahai water system in the form of videos, and shows the last mile of the Tonghui River construction with sand tables.

Outside the Memorial Museum of Guo Shoujing, the Xihai Lake at Shichahai was originally a wetland in the lower reaches of the ancient Yongding River. It was also known as "Jishuitan." Until the Ming Dynasty, the Xihai Lake was connected with the present Houhai Lake and Qianhai Lake, creating a larger water area, which was the decisive factor for the site selection of Dayidu. It is also the northern terminal of the Grand Canal.

On the southeast is Guangfu Temple, which was built in 1459. Now Guangfu Temple is a cultural exhibition center of Shichahai, with five exhibition halls, which introduces the history of Shichahai, the origin of the Grand Canal, and the cultural heritage of the Shichahai area. Through digital sand tables, AR, and other means of expression, the audience can immerse themselves in the canal culture and intangible cultural heritage accumulated in Shichahai for a long time. Many activities, such as the "Meet Mei Lanfang" Peking Opera Experience Series, Shichahai Off-year Temple Fair, Mid-Autumn Festival Moon Appreciation and Teacher Appreciation, were held here to create a rich spiritual and cultural feast for residents.

Near the Guangfu Temple is the Wanning Bridge, which has a history of more than 700 years. It is the intersection of the Beijing Central Axis and the Yuhe section of the Grand Canal. It is an important water channel on the Tonghui River in Dayidu, an important bridge connecting the north and south traffic of Beijing, and an extremely precious and important historical and cultural landmark of the ancient capital.

Since 2021, the protection project of Wanning Bridge has been started. By the end of February this year, all the tap water pipes and communication optical cable pipes attached to the east side of Wanning Bridge will be removed, presenting a clean look of the ancient bridge. In particular, two vivid stone carvings of the mythical animal who prevents floods on the east side and west side of Wanning Bridge will also be completely exhibited, which are rare cultural relics that have lasted from the Yuan Dynasty to the present.

Translator: WEN Min

Reviewer: NIU Lihua