Abstract: As a living vehicle of cultural integration for the Chinese nation, the Grand Canal heritage landscape embodies the core value of forging a strong consciousness of national community through cultural identity. Based on logical connection from theoretical perspective, the Grand Canal heritage landscape has political functions, social value, and symbolic significance, thus capable of constructing national and ethnic community of China. Based on value analysis from functional perspective, the Grand Canal heritage landscape shapes Chinese national value identity through shared ideas, enhances emotional identity through shared spirit, and strengthens Chinese national identity through shared memory. To do a better job in utilizing the Grand Canal heritage landscape to forge a consciousness of community for the Chinese nation based on strategy exploration from practical perspective, the following measures are necessary: 1) strengthening the protection of the Grand Canal heritage landscape; 2) promoting the “double creation” of the Grand Canal heritage; and 3) improving the cultural narrative system of the Grand Canal.

Key words: the Grand Canal, consciousness of community for the Chinese nation, heritage landscape, symbol, cultural identity