Performers play African drums during the street show. [Photo/wxrb.com]

A series of street shows were performed at Qingming Bridge Scenic Area along the Grand Canal on March 3, featuring African drums, drum kits, DJ performance and an ancient fashion show.

Crowds of tourists enjoyed the art shows with performers and tried their hands at "pouring" paintings. They were glad to take photos with performers wearing traditional Chinese costume.

Some of the performance teams have work studios in the Qingming Bridge Scenic Area, adding energy and cultural atmosphere to the ancient town.

A series of street shows are performed at Qingming Bridge Scenic Area along the Grand Canal in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, March 3. [Photo/wxrb.com]

The Qingming Bridge Section of the Grand Canal of China, which is about six kilometers long, shows the most distinctive features of the riverside towns in the regions south of the Yangtze River. The most famous attraction is the water-side lanes.

On both sides of the ancient canal there are old kilns, houses, streets, bridges, temples, towers, lanes and wharfs built in the Ming and Qing dynasties, which have witnessed the history of Wuxi for about 3,000 years.

"It is the first time I came to Wuxi city and I was very surprised to see such performances – it is different from any other ancient towns I've visited!" said Zheng Meng, a tourist from Lanzhou, Gansu province.

According to the management office of the Qingming Bridge Scenic Area, more street shows will be held monthly to show the charm of the Grand Canal and the Jiangnan-style ancient town.