Bancha Canal in Nantong. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Bancha Canal in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, has a history of more than 1,000 years and used to be called the Yanhe River.

Through the water channel, salt produced locally can be shipped to Taizhou and Yangzhou in Jiangsu to the Grand Canal and then to other cities around the country.

Hai'an and Rudong counties in Nantong use the canal to irrigate 22,000 hectares of farmland and drain waterlogged farmland on both sides.

File photo: A dragon boat race on Bancha Canal. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Bencha town in Rudong, located along the canal, is a must-see attraction for tourists.

The town has in recent years invested heavily I repairing the ancient Bencha Street and other major ancient buildings and showcase the old town's salt culture, delicacies, and hot springs.