Wǔqīng

Wuqing lies on the northern Grand Canal between Tianjin and Beijing. Its flat, watery country was crossed by the boats that carried grain towards the capital. A relay station was established at Yangcun on the canal in 1293, and it became busier under the Ming as the government improved the waterway to supply Beijing and the northern garrisons. Villages and landing places lined the river through the county.