The photo taken in 1978 shows a seven-hole bridge above the Grand Canal. [Photo by Tang Desheng/cpanet.org.cn]

The photo taken in 1969 shows a hard-cart puller and a man carrying a pole. [Photo by Tang Desheng/cpanet.org.cn]

The photo taken in 1970 shows farmers after work. [Photo by Tang Desheng/cpanet.org.cn]

The photo taken in 1972 shows a kindergarten near the Grand Canal. [Photo by Tang Desheng/cpanet.org.cn]

The photo taken in 1976 shows people playing chess. [Photo by Tang Desheng/cpanet.org.cn]

The photo taken in 1981 shows a farmer herding ducks on a boat. [Photo by Tang Desheng/cpanet.org.cn]

The photo taken in 1983 shows a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) stone arch bridge. [Photo by Tang Desheng/cpanet.org.cn]

The photo taken in 1993 shows the Zhejiang section of the Grand Canal. [Photo by Tang Desheng/cpanet.org.cn]

The photo taken in 2003 shows hundreds of ships sailing. [Photo by Tang Desheng/cpanet.org.cn]

The photo taken in 2009 shows the Wuxi section of the Grand Canal. [Photo by Tang Desheng/cpanet.org.cn]

The photo taken in 2010 shows the Zaohe section of the Grand Canal. [Photo by Tang Desheng/cpanet.org.cn]