Chinese And Foreign Travellers As Well As Their Social Life In Canal Area(1411-1901)

During the Ming and Qing Dynasties,commodity economy is developed,culture is prosperous,ideas are open,and travel activities are active.Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal,as an important channel for communication between the north and the south,is mainly used for grain transport.But it also provides relatively convenient transportation conditions for people to travel,attracting travelers from China to travel by "road".As an "action group",which reflects their individual and group identity,the purpose of traveling and the experience of traveling at that time.This paper classifies the travelers from the groups traveling along the canal in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.Starting from the three aspects of the people's daily livelihood,productive labor and leisure consumption in their vision.Through careful raking and in-depth analysis of the travel notes left by the travelers in the region.It is concluded that in the daily way of livelihood,the artists and servicemen live on the "canal" in the region.In the field of production and labor,foreign travelers observe the work,production and the life of canal area from the perspective of the "others".Their superb farming techniques,simple and diverse fishing methods,exquisite and "unique" handicraft industry and prosperous commerce have left a deep impression on foreign travelers.In the field of leisure consumption,travelers take the six elements of travel as the main line to consume food,accommodation,transportation and entertainment.In the process of consumption,the consumption of regional people presents the characteristics of universality,complexity and progress.In a word,the travelers in the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal region not only have different characteristics,but also have strong canal characteristics in their social life.Specifically speaking,the travelers take "politics and commerce" as the premise in the canal area,and "travel" is the appendage of other purposes.In their view,the canal people take "canal" as a means of livelihood to maintain their livelihood.The regional farming technology is superb,the living conditions are simple and comfortable,and the consumption presents the characteristics of diversification.