Explore E China's Shandong province in 10 days

Day 10

Taierzhuang Ancient Town, Zaozhuang

Taierzhuang Ancient Town, dating back to the Qin (221-206 BC) and Han (206 BC-AD 220) dynasties, underwent rapid development of its economy and society due to the diversion of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal during the reign of Emperor Wanli (1574-1620) of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Covering an area of 2 square kilometers, it was named as the world's best town by Emperor Qianlong (1736-95) of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

However, the Battle of Taierzhuang in 1938, which marked the first major Chinese victory of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-1945), destroyed the place. It was reestablished and restored in 2008.

It is the only ancient town along the Grand Canal with well-preserved wharves and revetments. There still exists a 3-kilometer-long section of the canal in the town, which is therefore considered a "living ancient canal" by the World Tourism Organization. The town also keeps 53 World War II relics, the most of their kind in the country.