Site birthplace of Huaiyang cuisine

With the longest part of Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, or the Grand Canal passing through, Jiangsu province in East China is not only a national economic and commercial center, but the birthplace of Huaiyang cuisine.

Huaiyang cuisine, originating from regions around Huaihe River and Yangtze River, mainly Huai'an and Yangzhou, has been famous since the Sui (581-618) and Tang (618-907) dynasties.

Emperors Kangxi (1654-1722) and Qianlong (1711-1799) often stayed in Huai'an and Yangzhou during their travels to the southern regions of the Yangtze River down the Grand Canal, making the cuisine popular in the nation. It has been listed as one of the four major cuisines in China since the reign of Emperor Qianlong.