the Grand Canal: The Grand Canal starts in Beijing in the north and ends in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province in the south, totaling 1,747 kilometres. Like the Great wall, the canal is the symbol of the ancient Chinee civilization. The canal was first dug in the 12th and 11th centuries BC. It was lengthened and widened during the 7th and 14th centuries. Wuxi can be regarded as the origin of the Grand Canal. The Wuxi section of the Grand Canal starts at Wumu in the north and ends at Wangting in the south, with a total length of 40 kilometres, of which 14.6 kilometres flows through the city. With a history of more than 2,400 years, this green belt of water still flows, With a history of more than 2,400 years, this green belt of water still flows, with many scenic spots and historical sites on both banks. The Wuxi section of the Grand Canal is narrow and deep, and row upon row of old residential buildings with white walls and black tiles stand on both sides. The Qingming Bridge, built over the canal during the middle period of Emperor Wanli's reign (1573-1620) of the Ming Dynasty. It is the largest and best-preserved ancient stone arch bridge still standing in Wuxi. In front of the former South Gate of the city, the tourist can see a grand ancient octagonal pagoda with seven storeys. Built in the 10th century, Miaoguang (Brilliant Light ) Pagoda of Nanchan Buddhist Temple is renowned on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The Wuxi section starting from the South Gate of the old city to the North Gate is rather wide. It is often crowded with sculled wooden boats, small rowboats and concrete-reinforced motor sailboats. Sightseeing on this crowded and busy section the tourist will surely be impressed by the vigour of the thousand-year-old canal.