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WUXI, China, Dec. 23, 2022 /Xinhua=KYODO JBN/--

Recently, No. 7 and No. 8 new energy cruise ships have been added to the Wuxi

canal cruise ship group, and the water sightseeing of the ancient canal has

fully entered the "Green Energy Era".

The Qingming Bridge Ancient Canal Scenic Area in Liangxi District, center of

Wuxi City, is recommended to foreigners who want to have a quick look at the

link between the Grand Canal that runs from Beijing in the north to Hangzhou in

the south and China's history and future.

Though predominantly linear, the Grand Canal forms a unique pattern that

encircles the city when it runs through Wuxi. Since the Yuan Dynasty, Wuxi has

emerged as the waterway transportation hub of the Jiangnan area, transporting

rice, silk and money, contributing to the economic development and the rise of

commerce and industry in China. Where the canal was narrow, residents on both

sides could speak to each other across their windows. Therefore, the Wuxi

section of the Grand Canal is also hailed as the "water alley", providing the

best viewpoint of water town and serving as the best window to enjoy the

cultural heritage of the Grand Canal, built over 2,400 years ago, according to

the Information Office of Liangxi District People's Government.

Standing on the Qingming Bridge, visitors can see that with the Grand Canal as

the central axis, the shadow of boats, ancient bridges, and the ancient temples

and houses on both sides, add beauty to each other, forming a natural "gallery

of the ancient canal". On a boat, visitors can also see grey herons standing on

the shore, forming a harmonious picture in which downtown and nature coexist

with each other.

Nowadays, the canal has been transformed into an Instagram-worthy location that

offers visitors more scenes, including 3D light shows and opera performances.

Focusing on the night economy since 2020, Liangxi District has rolled out night

shopping, night food, night show, and other night economic activities that

revolve around the Grand Canal. To reduce the noise and exhaust pollution

brought by oil-powered boats, Liangxi District has also launched new energy

boats that can offer visitors an immersive tour with their cabins accommodating

up to 20 people and equipped with wireless charging boards, intelligent desktop

screens, holographic projectors, etc.

On top of the Qingming Bridge, visitors may find more about Jiangnan through

the many other historical sites that Liangxi District offers, such as the

Donglin Academy, Nanchan Temple.

Source: Information Office of Liangxi District People's Government

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   Caption: Ancient canal in Liangxi