Wuzhen is a small but busy town. In October alone, it's been the host of major international events including the World Internet Conference and the ongoing Wuzhen Theatre Festival. But historically, the town's splendor originated with its waterways. 

Right beside the town flows the longest and most ancient canal in the world, aptly named the Grand Canal. The oldest parts of the canal date back to the 5th century B.C. Merchants in ancient times used to ship all kinds of goods from grain to salt along this 1,800-kilometer waterway, which connected the nearby city of Hangzhou with the heart of China's capital Beijing. 

"When the Grand Canal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, Wuzhen also received a lot of attention since it was built in ancient times right next to the canal," said Shi Liguo, the deputy general manager of the zone management at Wuzhen Tourism Co.

The many waterways in this beautiful little town are connected to the nearby Grand Canal. Wherever the canal flows, commercial cities and towns have thrived and that's part of Wuzhen's original splendor. 

"Wuzhen has been a wealthy place since the Song Dynasty in the 10th century, and it owed its prosperity to the Grand Canal," said Shi.

This marvel of hydrologic engineering has brought trade and cultural exchanges across China for generations. Now, Wuzhen is connecting Eastern and Western culture as well. It seems that the ancient Grand Canal is still working its charms in modern times.

(Cover image: The waterways in Wuzhen are connected to the historical Grand Canal. /CGTN Photo)