DK - China Through Time

19

Water from the river is stored in a reservoir. The flow is controlled by a sluice gate. Balancing on an unsteady plank, a builder hauls tiles up to the roof by pulley.

An official shows the new temple to Song Li, the minister in charge of construction. A worker mixes up glue made from animal bones to bind together the bricks..

This builder doesn’t like heights, so he is having a rest.

A Ridge of Water

Nanwang, 1420 ce

Nanwang marks the canal’s highest point. Until recently, the

canal often ran dry and boats ran aground here. Not any more.

Clever engineers have figured out a way to keep water levels

steady by digging a canal to the Wenhe River, and now cargo

boats can navigate this tricky ridge all year round. Builders are

constructing a beautiful temple in celebration, dedicated to the

Dragon King, a god of water and weather.

Reservoir

Grand Canal

Dragon King

Temple

Glass tiles

Side

hall

Main hall

Memorial

archway

Builders

Bamboo

scaffolding

Workers are building a statue of the water god.

US_018-019_A_Ridge_of_water.indd 19 30/07/2019 15:51