The face of modern China is changing. Liam D’Arcy-Brown travels the length of the Grand Canal, a symbol of national identity, Chinese pride, and cultural achievement. For those with an interest in China, its culture, people or heritage, this book provides an exciting, fascinating, and well-written account of the navigation of the lifeblood of a rising power – the Grand Canal of China.

Emperor’s River. At over 1,100 miles long, and dating back to the 5th Century BC, the Grand Canal of China is the world’s longest artificial waterway and its oldest working canal.
Though a source of great national pride to the Chinese, one of China’s most economically important transport routes, and the possible saviour of a rapidly desiccating Beijing, it has never been investigated by foreign writers and travellers. The first non-Chinese to have made this journey since the 1780s, Liam D’Arcy-Brown travelled from Hangzhou to Beijing along the Grand Canal by barges, boats, and road.

“A moving and chilling book. Let us hope there are many more to come.” ~ The Times, on D’Arcy-Brown’s debut

“Praise for Green Dragon, Sombre Warrior: ‘Historical insight, Chinese mythologies, modern commentary are all deftly interwoven with the narrative of his own odyssey … This is an impressive debut.” ~ Daily Telegraph