Therefore, it has important significance for researching and drawing up the development strategy of Yantai harbour industry and economy to explore the development orbit of Yantai water transport in modern times.

At that time, water transport was the only way to solve the problem.

By studying the relationship between water transport and Huaian economy of Ming dynasty,this paper explores the relationship between the prosperity and declination of the city and the change of water transport.

Political corruption is the major cause of the problems in the canal transportation of Qing Dynasty,and the bureaucratic reform initiated by the Qing government proves feasible in the correction of corruption.

In the study of urban history in China‘s ancient times, the far reaching significance of canal and water transportation has not been fully recognized.

The Northern Song Dynasty saw a great progress in canal transport: canal net extended in many areas, the framework of management was much improved, and modes of canal transport were much various than ever; canal transport ushered in a new stage.

In the Song dynasty,canal transport was escorted by low class army generals with boat soldiers.