Tongzhou is the northern starting point of the Grand Canal.
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The name 通州 ('the prefecture of communication/connection') reflects its historic role as the northern terminus of the 京杭大运河 (Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal) - grain shipped from the south reached Beijing via Tongzhou for centuries.
Tongzhou is officially designated as Beijing's sub-center; many municipal government offices began moving here in 2019 to relieve central-Beijing congestion.
