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Yangzhou is located northwest of Nanjing, close to the eastern border of Jiangsu province. Once prosperous and grand, the city has the air of a forgotten treasure, where reminders of its ancient past have withstood the tests of time and development. Yangzhou's glory days can be traced back as far as the 9th century when it was worthy of an imperial palace, and its strategic position on the Grand Canal made it one of the most prosperous cities in the southern Jiangsu. From the Tang dynasty (618-907AD) onwards, Yangzhou became a thriving river port and in addition to its commercial success it also became a center of culture.
In the 18th century the city became home to the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou- a group of professional painters who rejected the orthodox style of Chinese art. Today, visitors can view a prized collection of the painters' work at Yangzhou Museum.
In the mid-19th century, Yangzhou's fortunes changed. The city was ravaged by the Taiping Rebels and was also bypassed by the country's railway network. Development stalled and although the city's industry is again beginning to thrive, it retains a traditional air. This is a good place to wander the streets and observe life on the banks of the Grand Canal as has been going on for centuries.
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