明代运河河运浅议

Analysis of Grand Canal Transportation in Ming Dynasty

明代运河南起浙江杭州,北达北京,纵贯南北,全长三千余里,水道颇为复杂,并有多处河道险峻异常。明成祖朱棣迁都之后,政治中心北移,供给开支全赖运河河运供应。运河从此以后便成为明廷的生命补给线。在漫长的河道中,途经的闸坝、关津以及与之相关的各衙门均要在运河河运中分得利益。虽然河运存在弊病,但河运运输是当时最为合适的运输方式。

The Grand Canal of Ming dynasty began from Hangzhou, Zhejiang and ended in Beijing with an overall length of three thousand miles. It boasted complex waterways and extremely dangerous watercourses. After emperor Zhu Di moved the capital to Beijing, the political center moved northward and its supply of expenditure totally depended on transportation of Grand Canal.From then on, Grand Canal became the life supply line of Ming dynasty. In the long watercourse, gate dams, passes, ferries as well as relevant government offices all tried to gain profits from the canal. Although there were flaws in canal transportation, it was still the most suitable way of transport for Ming dynasty.