By Lee San

There are plenty of large canals worth a visit.. I particularly love to stand by the canal, watching one after another huge ocean-going ship slowly sail past before my eyes. Staring at the 40-storey high Lego fortresses each stacked up with nearly 20,000 colorful containers, could be quite an experience. As a matter of fact, what is more stunning is that they also witness the perfect harmony between ancient human earth-moving technologies and contemporary civilizations, and that feeling is simply overwhelming.

The Egyptian guide said proudly: Opened in 1869, the 163km Suez Canal constructed by the French but later occupied by the British is completely devoid of lock gates, making it stand out among other major canals of the world, saving both time and cost. As such, Suez Canal is unbelievably busy, handling some 20,000 cargo ships annually equivalent to 15% of the global trade. The good thing is: Egypt collects more than US$5.6 billion from the passing vessels each year.

I have on two separate occasions stood on the pier stand on Suez Canal, watching the ships cruising past me in both ways. For centuries, the canal sitting in the geopolitically sensitive North Africa has been a big prize major European powers have been vying for. During the 19th and 20th centuries, any country controlling the canal was virtually controlling the major navigation artery between the Mediterranean and Red Sea, as well as the primary military and commercial passage between Europe and Asia.

The Suez Canal was closed to sea traffic for eight years during the 1967 Middle East War. Finally the UN peace-keeping force had to come in once again to protect the waterway while ensuring peace and safety of the Sinai Peninsula.

To get to know more about the historical background, I pleaded with our guide to take us across the Suez Canal Bridge into Sinai Peninsula and onward to Israel-occupied territory. Indeed, we came across military squads and road blocks along the way. Obviously, the wars that have ravaged the Sinai Peninsula west of the canal have remained very much evident to this day.

Meanwhile in Hangzhou, an old friend traveling along with me, Soong, explained: In China, we have had the Xuhe Canal since 506BC, although the 1,700km Grand Canal in Hangzhou is by far the best known, being the longest in the world. The Grand Canal was constructed over several dynasties and has witnessed the enormous transformation of China. Today, it is a UNESCO-listed heritage site.

I remember during a trip to southern Turkmenistan, the guide explained as we passed a river valley: This is the Karakum Canal completed in 1988. The entire 1,375km waterway is for navigation, but more importantly it is also used by the local farmers for irrigation purposes as well as water consumption and electricity supply for cities along its course. Looks like this canal is also a multitasking megastructure, huh!

Additionally, the 82km Panama Canal in Central America was built in 1881. I stayed for quite a while on the specially erected observation deck to witness how the lock gates functioned. The Panama Canal straddles across the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Because of its unusual military significance, Panama Canal has become a waterway all major powers in the world are prowling on.

In New York state, the 584km Erie Canal has been much less complicated by comparison. Since it was opened in 1819, the canal has successfully slashed shipping cost by 95%, while expediting human movements and urbanization drive in the US Midwest. As a matter of fact, the construction of canals has also been entrusted with the extraordinary mission of perfecting human evolution!

In order to have a close encounter with canals of varying utilitarian significance, I flew into Toulouse, the French city housing the Airbus headquarters, and met for the first time the UNESCO-listed 241km Canal du Midi. In the 17th century, engineer Pierre-Paul Riquet not only opened up a navigation passageway between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, but also developed the du Midi irrigation system boasting 328 big and small engineering structures. Most importantly, he had also created a canal living sphere which blended perfectly with the surrounding environment.

Even with sophisticated air and rail transportation today, sea transportation continues to play a big role in our world. The thing is, these major canals have managed to not only shorten shipping times but also boost the cruise industry. Even the ancient Egyptian pharaohs 4,000 years ago knew how to dig small waterways to link up the isthmus, rivers, lakes and seas.

Later, countries all around the world started to construct their own canals that have drastically reduced shipping costs to gradually bring down goods prices. Unexpectedly, canals have also linked up civilizations and cultures and catalyzed the industrial revolution and even the globalization process much later.

Perhaps a 102km Kra Canal will eventually take shape between the Indian Ocean and South China Sea in southern Thailand. If this becomes a reality, the Straits of Melaka as a primary shipping route along with the iconic port of Singapore could fall into decline? Let's wait and see!

(Lee San is Founder and Group Executive Chairman of Apple Vacations. He has traveled to 132 countries, six continents, and enjoys sharing his travel stories and insights. He has also authored five books.)