Part of the Yangzhou section of the Grand Canal. [Photo/jstv.com]
The first Grand Canal Culture and Tourism Expo will take place in Yangzhou, East China's Jiangsu province from May 3 to 6.
Various activities will be held to showcase the Grand Canal's past and present, including culture and art exhibitions and light shows.
Additionally, a total of 16 boats decorated with colorful lanterns will set sail on the Grand Canal during the expo. The boats represent 16 cities along the canal.
The 1,794-kilometer canal connecting Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, and Beijing, was also known as the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. It was constructed in the late Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC).