Running through five provinces from north to south, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal makes a turn at its intersection with Luoma Lake, the fourth largest freshwater lake in Jiangsu Province. In this bay, there is an ancient town named Yaowan, which is thousands of years old. Its inhabitants have perfected the technique of making black pottery, ceramic pots and other household wares. More than 20 kilns existed in this bay, thus earning the township the name, Yaowan (Kiln Bay). During the Tang Dynasty, Yutou Township was established in 618 AD to the north of Yaowan (at the junction of Pizhou and Haizhou). In the 7th year of Emperor Kangxi’s reign (1668), Yutou Town was destroyed in an earthquake and its inhabitants moved southwards into Yaowan Town. Yaowan was under the jurisdiction of Zhongwu during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, and was later assigned to Suqian County in the early years of the Tang Dynasty. The township is currently located in Xinyi City, Xuzhou. In ancient times, Yaowan was located at the junction of Haizhou and Pizhou, and was connected to the three cities of Suqian, Suining, and Pizhou via waterways. Therefore, its location was also described as “Sea (hai) on its east, Pengcheng on its west, Huasi to its south and Tai Dai to its north”. Located along the Grand Canal with Luoma Lake on its east and surrounded by water on three sides, Yaowan town was one of the main wharfs along the ancient Grand Canal. During the heyday of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the township had served as a vital water transport hub and important commodity distribution center along the waterway that connects the north and south. Goods had to pass through Yaowan Wharf before being distributed throughout the country. Some goods were even exported to Southeast Asia (Nanyang), Taiwan and Japan etc. The town prospered due to the flourishing activities on the canal. At its peak during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, the ancient town boasted of 8 provincial halls and 10 provincial commercial offices. Notable halls included the Shanxi Hall, the Jiangxi Hall, the Suzhenyang Hall and the Fujian Hall. American, British and French businessmen as well as missionaries from Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, and Germany had set foot on Yaowan to do business or preach and they set up Mobil, Yasiya Oil and Wuyang Department Store etc. Foreign motorboats and domestic cargo ferries plied along the Yaowan section. During the Qing Dynasty, a post office was established in the town and there were more than 360 commercial entities including banks, pawn shops, stores, factories and workshops. Due to the bustling water transportation activities and the thriving industry and commerce, the ancient town of Yaowan was also known as the “golden triangle of the golden waterway” and the “Little Shanghai”. Ancient architecture in Yaowan reflects a mix of southern and northern styles from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The solemn Shanxi Hall and Shandong Hall are the epitome of Chinese architectural art, while Fujian and Jiangxi Halls reflected vitality, luxury and splendor in their southern-style gardens. The Shanxi merchants preferred a traditional layout for their residences and built houses with the typical open-roof courtyard (Tian Jin Yuan). On the other hand, the settlers from Fujian preferred the southern garden-style building, with a brick and timber structure, small brick tiles and large courtyards. A notable example is the Wu Family Courtyard, which was built with four courtyards and is the oldest preserved ancient residence in Yaowan. Settlers from Jiangxi, Fujian, and Suzhenyang had paid more attention to interior decoration, hanging renowned paintings from their hometown. In addition, Beijing’s courtyard houses, Western-style buildings, and a Catholic church with the typical European Gothic style could be found in the township. Unfortunately, these buildings were damaged during the war. By the 1980s, only 834 of them were still well preserved. Yaowan had been a major military town in history and military buildings were also a special feature of the town. In ancient times, Yaowan had city walls, city gates, 18 watchtowers, 7 crossing posts, suspension bridges on moats, eight forts in all four directions, as well as high walls and deep alleyways throughout the town. Foreigners and visitors would lose their way in these alleys even in daytime. During the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty, Yaowan locals Zang Weigao and Zang Yuqing built a maze of masonry structures in the town to prevent attacks from the Taiping Army. The ancient architectural heritage of Yaowan Ancient Town was a symbol of the canal culture, with a unique style in terms of overall planning and architectural features. The neighborhood was planned as a central area with two ancient streets. The buildings were not only different from the northern courtyard houses, but also different from the garden-style residences in the south of the Yangtze River. Ancient folk houses, ancient streets, ancient shops, ancient wharf and ancient remains of Yaowan are the true portrayal of the ancient canal culture. The ancient town is surrounded by water on three sides, with beautiful blue waters and magnificent scenery. Its one-of-a-kind streets and lanes are lined with traditional courtyard houses while roofs with intricate cornices peek over interlocking pavilions and terraces. Several well-known historical figures have left their footprints in Yaowan, including Yue Fei, Zhu Yuanzhang, Shi Kefa and Emperor Qianlong. Yaowan is also the birthplace of numerous talents including Ming Dynasty General Gao Zuo (who had fought in Yangzhou alongside Shi Kefa), Qing Dynasty General Ma Congkai, Scholar Zang Yuqing and General Chen Yiding (who had accepted the surrender of Japanese troops stationed in Taiwan on August 15, 1945). An influential group of wealthy businessmen and celebrities had also made their way out of Yaowan, helping to spread the Yaowan culture near and far. Due to their accomplishments, “Yaowan Streets” exist in several cities such as Nanjing, Suzhou and Shanghai. The patriotic general Zhang Huatang of the Northwestern Army was stationed in Yaowan for three years. He had instilled strict discipline amongst the soldiers, established the Huatang Elementary School and taught in person to inspire the students. The general had also overseen the construction of the “May 4th” park and sports stadium for the welfare of the public, as well as three stone bridges over the river which were named "Guanqiao Bridge", "Quanqiao Bridge" and "Guanshen Bridge". These three bridges were collectively known as the "Three Rings Bridge" as they facilitated traffic in Yaowan and were well-received by the residents. "Huayi Road" "Huawei Lane" and other places were named after the General to commemorate his achievements in the township. During the Sino-Japanese War, the New Fourth Army set up a secret liaison station in the Yaowan for an extended period of time and the soldiers and civilians had fought bravely against the Japanese invaders. The first battle of Huaihai was in Yaowan where more than 10,000 lives were lost, hence leaving behind a deep historical mark here. A large number of valuable historical relics had been excavated in Yaowan, including stone carvings, paintings, calligraphy and embroidered porcelain etc from the Qing Dynasty. The existing ancient halls, ancient temples, ancient bridges and ancient ancestral halls also possess remarkable historical and cultural value. Luoma Lake, which had given rise to the ancient township, has a total area of 450,000 mu which lies within the boundaries of Xinyi City. Water makes up an area of 182,400 mu while beaches make up 17,600 mu and there are 69 lake islets. Its beaches are full of rich vegetation and thick reeds and one can enjoy the sights of blue waves, beautiful landscape and famous fresh lake produce such as crabs, shrimps and silver fish etc. Like a pearl embedded in Luoma Lake, Yaowan Ancient Town exudes its unique charm and it is known that the "Northern Jiangsu water areas are superior". The ancient township celebrates religious diversity. Apart from a Catholic church, Yaowan also has temples such as Ciyun Temple, Kuan Yin Temple, Daxian Hall, Bixia Palace, Grandma Temple, Xuan Di Temple, Guan Gong Temple, Xiaojiezi Grandma Temple and Chenghuang Temple, covering both Taoism and Confucianism. The inhabitants pay their respect to Guan Gong from the north, Mazu from the South, as well as respected forefathers of each profession. Centuries of prosperity have given birth to unique trades, folk customs and food culture in Yaowan Ancient Town. Halls, banks, pawn shops, stores, docks etc. reflect the rich merchant culture of the ancient town. In particular, the "Owl Market" is packed with the flavors of the township. Located in the middle of the Grand Canal, passing ships generally needed to stop in Yaowan for a night. As the travelling merchants needed to buy necessities at night, the locals decided to set up night markets to their products. It was an ideal arrangement as the night markets did not affect their daytime farming work. Such night markets have been in operation since the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. A folk song from the area vividly depicts the lively scene of the "Owl Market": "Streets are full of lights at late night, waiting for the guests' footsteps. Bustling business in early morning, laughter stretches over ten miles ". he local cuisine is known for its unique taste and nutritional value and is considered the best in the Northern Jiangsu region. Local Yaowan dishes are meticulously prepared using fresh ingredients from the lakes and river and are full of vibrant colors and rich aroma. The Yaowan mung bean wine was originally called “green wine”, and was designated as the imperial wine during the Ming dynasty. During the late Ming Dynasty, the Imperial Physician Zhao Xuemin passed through Yaowan and added more than 50 kinds of valuable Chinese medicines to the recipe. The wine was then brewed according to traditional techniques using spring water from Laoyi River. Due to its appearance which is similar to mung bean soup, the wine was known as Yaowan mung bean brew. During his second visit to Yaowan, Qing Emperor Qianlong had drunk this brew and it was then considered as a tribute wine. The Yaowan sweet oil was developed by local physicians Zong Baiyun and Zhao Xuemin, based on soy sauce preparation techniques during the reign of Qing Emperor Kangxi. Yaowan sweet oil is regarded as a health supplement that can nourish the yin and kidneys, enhance immunity, strengthen the stomach and has beautifying effects. The Yaowan osmanthus cake is made from glutinous rice flour, powdered sugar, white sugar, sesame oil and sweet osmanthus essence. Eating osmanthus cakes has the following auspicious meaning: “Every year is higher than the last. Every year is better than the last!" Party Committee and the municipal government decided to pool more resources into the conservation and development of Yaowan Ancient Town. Xinyi Luoma Lake Tourism Development Co., Ltd. was established to focus on these priorities. The Yaowan Ancient Town Conservation and Development Project was listed as a key construction project for Xuzhou City Government and Xinyi City Government. To improve the basic infrastructure and traffic conditions of the ancient town, Xinyi City invested a total of more than 1 billion yuan to add a new “Xinxi West and Yaowan” entrance and exit along the Xulian Expressway and construct the Ancient Town (Guzhen) Avenue and Luomaohu Road, Shanshui Avenue and Maolinte Bridge. Yaowan is about 100 kilometers away from Xuzhou, Lianyungang, Linyi and other airports, and is easily accessible. Strict planning and design standards had been implemented for the conservation and development of Yaowan. Organizations such as Nanjing University and Southeast University etc had chipped in to draft the "Conservation Plan for Yaowan Cultural Heritage Town in Jiangsu Province" and the "Conservation Plan for the Yaowan Cultural Heritage District in Jiangsu Province". As of 2009, more than one billion yuan has been invested to conserve and develop the ancient township in accordance with the planning requirements. A 32,000 sqm area with more than 1,600 Ming and Qing-style buildings lining the two ancient commercial streets has been restored. In addition, the project had also restored the South Shaomen Pier and Memorial Archway, cleared over 1,000 meters between the moat and river and reconstructed 5 landscape bridges. Works on over 20 important relics including Wu Family Courtyard, Zhao Xinlong Sauce Garden, Dongdian Pawnshop, Yaowan Pawn Museum, Yaowan Folk History Museum, Daqing Yaowan Post Office, Yaowan Art Gallery, South Shaomen Gate, Jiepai Building, North Gate Lock, Shanxi Association Hall, Jiangxi Association Hall and Catholic Church have been completed. Thereby, completing the restoration of the Folk Cultural District to the east of the moat as well as the key relics of the ancient town. Furthermore, the project involved the addition of a new ecological parking area over 18,000 sqm and 10 top-quality toilets, as well as landscaping of the gardens, introduction of attractions and road signs in the scenic area. Four major Yaowan scenic areas emerged: West Street, South Street, Grand Canal and the Central River. Plans for the Luoma Lake Provincial Wetland Park has also been made and remarkable achievements have already been made during its conservation and development process. Luoma Lake Tourism Development Co., Ltd. has also continued to promote the transition from a simple sightseeing location to a recreational, cultural and tourism complex in Yaowan. With its comprehensive resources and tourism services, the ancient town of Yaowan has become the most famous ancient town area in the northern Jiangsu region. While carrying out conservation and developmental projects, Luoma Lake Tourism Development Co., Ltd. has also implemented service standardization, continuously improved its corporate system, and promoted various functions such as service management, marketing, cultural relics conservation and excavation. The ancient town scenic area had successively passed the GB/9001 quality management system certification and the standardization assessment by the national tourism board. Yaowan was named as a renowned brand in Xuzhou City's service industry and the ancient town had been recognized by the provincial government as a "cultural heritage town", featured by National Tourism Administration as a "tourist town", named by the National Tourism Administration and Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development as a “National Tourism Town with Characteristic Landscape”, and was nominated for the Grand Canal Conservation Project in 2014 by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage. In addition, Yaowan had won the “Most Attractive Rural Tourism Destination in China” and “China’s top ten villages and towns", “the most promising ancient town", "2013 best cultural town" and other honorary titles. In October 2012, it was formally approved by the National Tourism Administration as a national AAAA tourist attraction. The growing reputation of this ancient town is attracting visitors from near and far. Visitors flock to Yaowan whenever there are holidays. In 2015, Yaowan’s scenic areas welcomed more than 1.5 million visitors. Today's Yaowan Ancient Town stepped up in its conservation and development efforts, having improved its infrastructure, as well as accelerated the construction of the Grand Canal Scenery Belt and Luoma Lake Wetland Park. The township strives to improve the tourism system, realize an in-depth transformation of scenic spots, and actively develop a National 5A Tourist Attraction as well as Luoma Lake Wetland Park Scenic Area. These will in turn help Yaowan achieve the goal of establishing itself as a "national cultural heritage town". In the near future, we shall be able to experience a more complete display of historical and cultural connotations, more beautiful, charming and homely Yaowan Ancient Town.