The conference for the establishment of the Wuxi Branch of the Grand Canal Cultural Belt Construction Research Institute and Wuxi Grand Canal Belt Construction Research Institute is held at Jiangnan University, Sept 11. [Photo by Wang Ying/chinadaily.com.cn]

An unveiling ceremony for the Wuxi Branch of the Grand Canal Cultural Belt Construction Research Institute and Wuxi Grand Canal Belt Construction Research Institute was held at Jiangnan University on Sept 11.

Zhu Minyang, chairman of World Historic and Cultural Canal Cities Cooperation Organization, and other two experts delivered speeches at the event. They offered advice on how to protect the environment along the canal and develop cultural tourism.

The Wuxi section of the Grand Canal offers views typical of those found to the south of the Yangtze River. [Photo/VCG]

The Grand Canal, or Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, spans about 1800 kilometers between Beijing and Hangzhou. It was listed as a world heritage site in 2014, with its oldest section dating back to the 5th century BC.

The Wuxi section of the canal is approximately six kilometers long and offers views typical of those found to the south of the Yangtze River. With the two newly-established institutes, the city will put more effort into preserving the canal and the culture that comes along with it.