Suzhou played an important role in the Grand Canal gaining World Cultural Heritage status in June this year.

"Passing through Suzhou, the Grand Canal surrounds the whole city,” said Wang Jiaming, director of the cultural relics department of the Suzhou Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage. "Suzhou is inseparable from water and the Canal.”

There were seven sites up for World Cultural Heritage status: Shantang River, Huqiu Tower, Panmen Scenery Area, Pingjiang Street, Shanxi Hall, Precious Belt Bridge and ancient track road in Wujiang, most of which are protected national relics.

The relics exhibition hall of the Suzhou section of the Grand Canal reflects historical changes. In some materials and old pictures, the state of a small bridge, the flowing stream and the people look familiar. “Eight percent of Suzhou in the pictures can be found on the original site.” Wang said.

The conservation work of the canal and heritage sites was launched many years ago. Some measures have been introduced to protect the ancient town and the environment surrounding the historic relics, strictly controlling the height, shape and style of buildings.