As the 38th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee opened in Qatar on June 16, the results of whether the Grand Canal of China will become a World Heritage site will soon be revealed.

As a major city on the Grand Canal, Suzhou, boasting a splendid history and culture, grew by the water, an ancient transportation channel.

The Grand Canal stretches over 3,200 kilometers and runs through 31 Chinese cities, and also encompasses the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Zhengzhou-Jiangsu Grand Canal and East Zhejiang Canal.

As the Grand Canal flows through Suzhou, it wanders through Shantang River, Shangtang River, Xujiang River and flows into the inner city. After flowing through the inner city’s water system, it merges into the canal and finally flows to Hangzhou.

Suzhou city is said to be the only one to apply for World Heritage status as an “ancient canal city” among the 31 cities along the Grand Canal.

According to the final application document, Suzhou applied to be included on the World Heritage List with its four water courses of the canals -- Shantang River, Shangtang River, Xujiang River, and the inner city river, and seven sites and sections along the canals -- Yunyan Temple Pagoda in Huqiu (Tiger Hill), Shantang historical district, Panmen Gate, Pingjiang historical district, Shanxi Guide Hall, Baodai River and the ancient towpath of the Grand Canal in Wujiang.