An exhibition of archaeological discoveries in the Rugao section of the Yunyan River that is currently underway at the Rugao Museum in Rugao, Nantong, was recently designated a "fine exhibition" by the Jiangsu Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics.

Yunyan River was dug in the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24), starting from Zhuyu Bay in Yangzhou in the west and ending at Panxi in Rugao in the east. It is the predecessor of the present-day Nantong-Yangzhou Canal and an important tributary of the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal, one of the oldest canals in China.

The unearthed porcelain on display at the exhibition is from Jizhou Kiln and Jingdezhen Kiln in Jiangxi province, Longquan Kiln in Zhejiang province and Jian Kiln in Fujian province, indicating the important role of the Yunyan River in transporting porcelain from all over the country by water and land for the daily use of people at that time.

Part of the Rugao section of the Yunyan River still plays a role in contemporary life.

Rugao currently is home to 127 historical and cultural items related to the Yunyan River and 42 related intangible cultural heritage items, including traditional skills, folk art, folk literature and salt industry techniques.

Cultural relics are on display at an exhibition of archaeological discoveries in the Rugao section of the Yunyan River at the Rugao Museum in Rugao, Nantong, Jiangsu province. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]