The Grand Canal in ancient times brought fortune to Yangzhou. It bred the city\'s economy and made culture thrive. This part of the canal is thickly dotted with sites of historical interest. Stories and legends abound. The Grand Canal is well protected today. More than 1,700 households have been moved away from the banks. The waterfronts of the canal are converted into parks. Houses built along the canal and in different parts of the town in the dynasties of Tang (618-907), Song (960-1279) and Qing (1644-1911) are now well preserved and connected through the dredged river system.