聊城市

Why this place

Liaocheng is a canal town where water is everywhere — the old city is surrounded by lake and the canal runs through it, which is unusual in the dry north. It has a well-preserved old street and a tower that gives a good view of the whole water city.

What to see

• Dongchang Lake and the old city's water ring
• Guangyue Tower, a Ming tower on the city's edge
• Shanxi-Shaanxi Guildhall, a merchant association building of the canal trade
• The canal museum and the old commercial street

What to eat

• Liaocheng is known for its 'Wuyi' sesame cakes and its braised dishes
• Canal-side river fish and the local mutton

Best time

April–May and September–October