Also in 2018, the Guo Shoujing Memorial Hall — also called Huitong Temple — in the northwest of Xihai reopened its doors after a yearlong revamp.

Guo was a prominent astronomer, engineer and mathematician during the Yuan Dynasty.

He designed and supervised many hydraulic projects of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal including the Tonghui River in Beijing and the Huitong River in Shandong province, ensuring the complete connectivity of the canal.

In addition to Guo's accomplishments, the memorial hall showcases the advancements in Chinese astronomy and hydraulic engineering during the Yuan Dynasty, while boosting traditional culture related to the canal.

Last year, Xicheng district proposed the establishment of the Grand Canal International Culture Exchange Center, with the aim of better preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the canal.

"The Grand Canal embodies the profound history and civilization of the Chinese nation. Protecting and utilizing its cultural heritage are an important task for Beijing in building itself into a national cultural center," said Sun Shuo, Party secretary of Beijing's Xicheng district, during a seminar on the center in April 2023.

"It also plays a vital role in Xicheng's cultural exchanges and promotion," Sun said.

As planned, the center will form an alliance with 35 cities along the Grand Canal.

Through the alliance, the center will integrate cultural and industrial resources from across the country, communicate with canal cities worldwide, and make contributions to the research, preservation, exhibition and promotion of the canal's culture, local officials said.