The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal is the earliest and longest man-made canal in the world. With a total distance of more than 1700 kilometers, it starts from Beijing and ends in Hangzhou. The Grand Canal plays a great role in the exchange of economy and culture between southern and northern China, especially in the industrial and agricultural development in the canal line area.

The Ningbo section of the Canal in East Zhejiang features both natural rivers and artificial ponds in parallel, which is unique and has developed a splendid historical context.

If you want to fully appreciate the ancient towns of Jiangnan, you must come to Cicheng. Over thousands of years, Cicheng has formed four distinctive cultures: architectural culture, filial piety culture, farming culture, and medicine merchant culture. Not only is there the world-famous TongRenTang here, but it is also the hometown of the famous writer Feng Jicai.

Cicheng resembles the common homeland for Chinese people, with its simple and natural beauty ingrained in the lifestyle of those living by the river. It has embraced both the history and the future, echoing the ancient blessings of the canal.

Editor Cheng Dengyu, Intern Zhang Qixin