A digital exhibition on China’s Grand Canal opened in Brussels, delivering a stunning visual spectacle to Belgian audiences.
A digital exhibition celebrating China’s Grand Canal made its European debut in Brussels on Jun 10, bringing one of the world’s oldest waterways to life on the banks of Belgium’s Central Canal. The immersive showcase, part of “An Encounter with Chinese Culture: Jiangsu Week of Grand Canal Culture”, marks 50 years of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union.
At the center of the exhibition is The Epic Scroll of China’s Grand Canal, a monumental, 135-metre-long and 3-metre-high panoramic painting transformed into a vivid digital experience by the China Grand Canal Museum in collaboration with Modern Express. Over 5,000 animated figures sweep the viewers through time. From the construction of the canal 2,500 years ago to the vibrant markets of the Song Dynasty and the seasonal beauty of Jiangnan in spring, it’s a history in motion.
As the birthplace of the Grand Canal, Jiangsu plays a key role in showcasing its cultural legacy to the world. From Jun 10 to 12, the special exhibition “Millennia-old Canal, Charm of Jiangsu” brought this legacy to life, with the digital debut of the scroll delivering a stunning visual spectacle to Belgian audiences.
The scroll was a joint effort by 15 calligraphers and painters from 8 provinces and municipalities along the Grand Canal. It includes a preface by Ding Fan, a postscript by Yang Zhichun, and chapter texts by writers Xia Jianyong and Ye Zhaoyan. The calligraphy was done by Sun Xiaoyun, with seals engraved by Zhao Yanguo.
For three days, visitors wandered through the animated scroll, immersed in light, sound, and storytelling. “It’s marvelous, it looks like a living archive,” said Jean-Pierre Gailliez, a Belgian canal historian who travelled from Mons to attend. “What I find really interesting is the historical pictures, paintings where the people start to move.”
Gueritz, an author on Belgian waterways and contributor to the World Canal Series: Belgian Central Canal, drew a parallel between China’s Grand Canal and of Belgium’s own. “Both embody the triumph of technology in connecting waterways and traversing landscapes,” he said. “Canals link culture, nature, and industry—they are the lifeblood of human development.” He noted that while canals often outlast generations, preserving them demands ongoing effort and global cooperation. “Although different in scale, both canals are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They can become ‘friendship canals’—partners in heritage and cooperation.”
Chinese actress Song Jia, vice president of the China-Europe Cultural Center and now based in Belgium, was visibly moved by the exhibition. “The moment the scroll came alive, I was overwhelmed,” she said. Having filmed in cities like Suzhou, Wuxi, and Changzhou, she recognized familiar scenes now rendered in fresh, immersive visuals. Her Belgian husband, Stephan, developed a love for Chinese culture through her influence saying that “it’s stunning. I want to visit China right away.” The couple plans to travel to Jiangsu later this year to shoot videos introducing the canal’s scenic landscapes and culinary delights to an international audience.
Beyond the scroll, the exhibition offered hands-on experiences of Jiangsu’s intangible cultural heritage through Suzhou embroidery, Huishan clay figurines, Yangzhou woodblock printing, paper-cutting, and traditional medicine. A canal-themed banquet served up edible art of sugar figurines, Song-style tea snacks, dough sculptures, and stir-fried radish rice. The local flavour got a cross-cultural twist too, with handmade Smurf figurines crafted using Chinese techniques, adding a whimsical Belgian touch to the display.
Li Shiyin, a Chinese PhD student in Brussels, described the immersive scroll as excellent. She added, “I love how it presents not only the history of the canal but also its present and future.”
The event was co-organized by the Mission of People’s Republic of China to the European Union, the Information Office of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government and Jiangsu International Culture Association. Other activities including the Canal Heritage Shines in Europe: Exploring Intangible Cultural Heritages along the Grand Canal and Whispers of Tea along the Grand Canal: An Immersive Experience of Chinese Tea Culture, will continue in Belgium alongside Croatia, extending the cultural dialogue across borders.
From ancient waterways to modern digital storytelling, the Grand Canal is finding new life in new lands bridging past and present, East and West.
If you like this article, why not read: The Grand Canal’s Journey: From Ancient Route to Global Icon
