A scene from the TV drama People by the Canal, which was filmed in Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: huzhoufabu]

Huzhou in East China's Zhejiang province has gotten an enormous amount of exposure online after the premiere of a hit TV drama.

People by the Canal, a TV series with more than 90 percent of its scenes filmed in Huzhou, was aired on Channel 1 of the China Central Television and video platforms including Youku, Tencent, iQiyi and Mango TV, on Aug 1.

Starring renowned actors Wang Lei and Han Xue, the drama tells a story of a group of people living near the section of Grand Canal in Huzhou and Hangzhou and explores topics including water pollution treatment, ecological conservation, culture, tourism and common prosperity.

The places including Xiaoxi Street, Nanxun Ancient Town, Xinshi Ancient Town, Shuanglin Ancient Town, Linghu Ancient Town and Digang village in Huzhou that appeared in the drama have been frequently searched online since its broadcast.

Nanxun Ancient Town

Nanxun Ancient Town is Huzhou's only 5A national scenic area. Founded in 1252 during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), the town is currently among the top six ancient towns in Jiangnan, a region located in the south of the Yangtze River. 

Xinshi Ancient Town

With a history of over 1,700 years, Xinshi Ancient Town in Deqing county of Huzhou is divided into 18 sections by the water. These sections are connected to one another by more than 50 bridges. The town is a great place to admire ancient architecture, which includes Ming and Qing-style houses and temples.

Shuanglin Ancient Town

Shuanglin is a typical Jiangnan-styled ancient town located in Huzhou's Nanxun district. It is best known for its three ancient bridges that were built before the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The bridges are about 50 meters long each and less than 360 meters apart from one another, a scene that can only be found in Jiangnan.

Linghu Ancient Town

Linghu Ancient Town, also situated in Nanxun district, is known for its well-preserved buildings. An old tower covered in ivy has recently become a popular tourism destination.

Digang village

Located in Hefu town, Nanxun district, Digang village is renowned for its mulberry fish ponds, a special dike-pond model that integrates fish ponds with the breeding of mulberry silkworms. The model was listed as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 2017.