![](http://www.ecns.cn/hd/2023/07/19/8e0ebdb9756b420f9713bb6f0a631507.jpg)
Vessels line up to enter the Qiantang River at Babao ship lock, a control project for the 2nd channel of the Grand Canal in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 18, 2023. (Photo: China News Service/Wang Gang)
With a history of more than 2,500 years, the Grand Canal, connecting Beijing and Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang Province, served as a significant transportation artery in ancient China. Starting from Bolu County in Hangzhou, the 26.4-kilometer-long 2nd channel of the canal connecting with the Qiantang River through Babao ship lock opened to traffic on Tuesday.
![](http://www.ecns.cn/hd/2023/07/19/2fa662aa6b6345dba359e1bed75934e1.jpg)
Vessels line up to enter the Qiantang River at Babao ship lock, a control project for the 2nd channel of the Grand Canal in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 18, 2023. (Photo: China News Service/Wang Gang)
![](http://www.ecns.cn/hd/2023/07/19/ce33148c0dfe463fb918929163073496.jpg)
Vessels with full loads of goods sail through Babao Babao ship lock, a control project for the 2nd channel of the Grand Canal in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 18, 2023. (Photo: China News Service/Wang Gang)
![](http://www.ecns.cn/hd/2023/07/19/f4ee4b7b68c5460c9cd012514f97bc69.jpg)
Vessels with full loads of goods sail through Babao Babao ship lock, a control project for the 2nd channel of the Grand Canal in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 18, 2023. (Photo: China News Service/Wang Gang)
![](http://www.ecns.cn/hd/2023/07/19/462d470ad65b4b1ba6a00edc4f73bc10.jpg)
Aerial view of the 2nd channel on the Grand Canal in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 18, 2023. (Photo: China News Service/Wang Gang)
![](http://www.ecns.cn/hd/2023/07/19/dc277188673545569a7d8e1a56865876.jpg)
Vessels with full loads of goods sail through Babao Babao ship lock, a control project for the 2nd channel of the Grand Canal in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 18, 2023. (Photo: China News Service/Wang Gang)
![](http://www.ecns.cn/hd/2023/07/19/c75647e0d3d14eea88c054dce466a2bd.jpg)
Vessels with full loads of goods sail through Babao Babao ship lock, a control project for the 2nd channel of the Grand Canal in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 18, 2023. (Photo: China News Service/Wang Gang)