According to “Zuo Zhuan", generally translated as "Zuo Tradition" or "Commentary of Zuo", an ancient Chinese narrative history that is traditionally regarded as a commentary on the ancient Chinese chronicle Spring and Autumn Annals, the Yangzhou section of the Grand Canal is the oldest section of the whole canal. 

On Oct 18, the third station of "A Thousand Mile Journey Along the Grand Canal" media tour goes to Yangzhou city in Jiangsu Province. 

Bird view of Slender West Lake in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province (Photo/Jin Weiduo)

In Yangzhou, there is a lake that is famous compared with the well-known West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. The Slender West Lake got its name of "Shou Xi Hu (瘦西湖)" from a poem by a Qing Dynasty poet which has compared this lake with West Lake. It is just like a pleasant colorful ribbon of a dancing fairy. 

Compared with the West Lake in Hangzhou, what are the unique features of the Slender West Lake in Yangzhou?

A beautiful pavilion on the Slender West Lake, Jiangsu Province (Photo/Jin Weiduo)

Slender West Lake's scenic spot is an important part of the world cultural heritage of the Grand Canal. It is famous at home and abroad for its unique charms, such as Xu garden, Xiaojinshan, Wuting bridge, White tower, Twenty-four bridge, and Wanhua garden.

The emperors of Kangxi and Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty made six southern tours and praised the beautiful scenery of the Slender West Lake. Cultural celebrities such as Li Bai, Du Mu, Su Shi, and Zhu Ziqing left many popular chapters about the Slender West Lake. "March of fireworks Yangzhou" is a famous poem in the history of China. 

Reporter: Jin Weiduo

Editor: Ye Ke