On Wednesday, cultural and tourism authorities of Suzhou in east China's Jiangsu Province released details on 10 routes blending culture, tourism, and art ahead of the upcoming Jiangnan Culture and Arts & International Tourism Festival. 

These routes take tourists along the Suzhou section of the Grand Canal from Beijing to Hangzhou through the prosperity and history of the ancient city and its traditional operas, the Suzhou City Administration of Culture, Radio and Television, and Tourism said in Shanghai.  

They string sites such as the popular canal side street Pingjiang Road, Suzhou Inscription Museum and Huqiu (Tiger Hill). 

Tourists can find detailed information via the Suzhou Tourism WeChat app.

The Jiangnan festival begins in Suzhou on Saturday, celebrating the allure of the Jiangnan region (south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River).  

"The festival displays splendid Jiangnan culture and the integration of culture and tourism, satisfying people's cultural demand," said Xu Hongxia, deputy director of the administration. 

"Suzhou and Shanghai have a deep bond and we invite Shanghai tourists to Suzhou which has a history dating back over 2,500 years," she said. 

On the list of the festival are Kunju, Huaiju, Huju, Yueju, Xiju, Peking and Huangmei opera performances, painting exhibitions, an embroidery art exhibition, a Jiangnan canal culture forum, and poem-related activities.  

Three theme days on Suzhou's silk, intangible cultural heritage and the Grand Canal will also be held during the festival running through September 29.

(Cover: Zhouzhuang Water Town in Suzhou. /VCG Photo)