The Ancient Canal of Yangzhou is the oldest and best-preserved section of the Grand Canal, winding through the city and blending ancient salt merchant culture with the charm of the Jiangnan water towns. Ancient bridges line the banks, like pearls strung together, with bridges such as Guangji Bridge and Dongguan Bridge appearing and disappearing in the morning mist. Where the sound of boats is mellow, the footsteps of merchants, carriages, and literati overlap on the stone pavement. The Wuxin Lake side’s Wuteng Bridge’s reflection dances, the Wenchang Pavilion’s eaves point upwards, perfectly merging the canal’s gentleness with the architecture’s grandeur. This canal was opened during the Sui and Tang dynasties and witnessed countless legends. Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty once toured along the canal, leaving behind the legend of "Dragon Boat to Yangzhou"; Li Bai composed his unforgettable song, "Mountain Light Pleases Birds, Pool Shadow Empty Hearts"; Du Mu wrote "Silver Candle Autumn Light, Cold Picture Screen, Light Silk Small Fan, Chase Fireflies" when she climbed to the heights in autumn. During the heyday of the grain transport, countless cargo ships operated day and night, and wealthy merchants built mansions here, giving rise to the prosperity of "Huai Left Famous Capital." The canal banks still retain the remains of Ming and Qing era docks, and in the old courtyard houses with blue-brick and grey-tile walls, the aroma of ballads and tea still lingers. Taking a wooden punt boat across the bridges and through the alleys, watching the lights reflected on the water, you feel as if you have traveled through a thousand years of time, experiencing the eternal charm of "Poetry and Painting Yangzhou."
