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