The “Falling in Love with the Grand Canal” cultural initiative recently arrived in Beijing—the northern terminus of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal—celebrating the rich heritage nurtured by this ancient waterway.

As the longest and most ambitious canal project in history, the Grand Canal stretches over 1,700 kilometers, linking four provinces and five major river systems. For centuries, it has served as a vital artery for economic and cultural exchange, fueling prosperity in the regions along its banks.

This event captured the essence of the Grand Canal by bridging the cultural divide between north and south. A standout feature was the artistic dialogue between northern dough sculpting and southern rice sculpting—two time-honored crafts shaped by local culinary traditions.

In the wheat-growing north, artisans transform leftover flour into vibrant figurines of animals, plants, and legendary figures. Meanwhile, in the rice-rich south, skilled hands mold glutinous rice paste into intricate sculptures. These distinct yet complementary art forms—hailed as twin masterpieces of Chinese edible folk art—reflect both a shared reverence for craftsmanship and the diverse flavors of regional cuisine.

During the event, a lifelike dough rabbit sculpted by a Beijing master and a stunning “Dragon and Phoenix” rice sculpture by a Linping artist drew large crowds, demonstrating how the Grand Canal continues to inspire cultural fusion and innovation centuries after its heyday.