A total of 48 groups of lanterns will light up the Ancient Canal along Nanchang Street from Aug 16 to Nov 30. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxishilvyouju]

People in Wuxi can expect glorious colorful nights after the city initiates an Ancient Canal Lantern Show on Aug 16.

As part of the 5th Fascinating Night Tour Festival of Jiangnan Ancient Canal Tourism Resort, the lantern show will be staged along Nanchang Street and run until Nov 30.

This year's extravaganza, in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, will launch a series of special events during the Mid-autumn Festival and National Day holiday -- including an aerial photography competition and performances of traditional opera.

Visitors enjoy the night view in Nanchang Street, Wuxi. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxishilvyouju]

A total of 48 groups of lanterns will light up the Ancient Canal along Nanchang Street, making a 2.6-kilometer-long night tourism route especially for tourists taking to sightseeing boats.

Winding from Beijing to Hangzhou, the Grand Canal has been listed as a UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage site. Wuxi is home to the last existing stretch of the ancient waterway in the Yangtze River Delta.