Basked in colorful decorative lights, Taierzhuang in East China's Shandong Province is an ancient brick-walled town sitting on the banks of the Grand Canal. It has retained its original landscape and boosted tourism by restoring historical relics, including ancient city walls, the Taierzhuang Port and ancient residential homes. (Photos: People's Daily app/Shi Jiamin; compiled by Li Bowen)

Basked in colorful decorative lights, Taierzhuang in East China's Shandong Province is an ancient brick-walled town sitting on the banks of the Grand Canal. It has retained its original landscape and boosted tourism by restoring historical relics, including ancient city walls, the Taierzhuang Port and ancient residential homes.

Basked in colorful decorative lights, Taierzhuang in East China's Shandong Province is an ancient brick-walled town sitting on the banks of the Grand Canal. It has retained its original landscape and boosted tourism by restoring historical relics, including ancient city walls, the Taierzhuang Port and ancient residential homes.

Taierzhuang witnessed a decisive battle during World War II, the Battle of Taierzhuang in 1938. This was the first major Japanese defeat since the beginning of the war, which broke the myth of the Japanese military's invincibility, and gave an incalculable boost to Chinese morale.

Taierzhuang witnessed a decisive battle during World War II, the Battle of Taierzhuang in 1938. This was the first major Japanese defeat since the beginning of the war, which broke the myth of the Japanese military's invincibility, and gave an incalculable boost to Chinese morale.

Taierzhuang witnessed a decisive battle during World War II, the Battle of Taierzhuang in 1938. This was the first major Japanese defeat since the beginning of the war, which broke the myth of the Japanese military's invincibility, and gave an incalculable boost to Chinese morale.