(Photo/Zhang Jun)

The 3rd Ancient Town Development Conference of Yangtze River Delta opened in Lili Town, Suzhou City on February 16.

The ancient towns are home to the best-preserved water landscapes in Jiangnan, the region south of the Yangtze River, and hold significant historical, artistic, architectural, and ecological value.

The conference also served to promote ancient towns in Jiangnan to join their efforts in applying for the UNESCO Cultural Heritage recognition. This initiative was included on the tentative list of China's world heritage back in 2006.

There are 11 such ancient towns in Suzhou, Wuxi, Jiaxing and Shanghai's Pudong New Area, namely Zhouzhuang, Luzhi, Tongli, Shaxi, Jinxi, Zhenze, Lili, Huishan, Wuzhen, Xitang, and Xinchang.

Suzhou, as the leading city in the application campaign, has 15 towns recognized as the National Historical and Cultural Towns. The city has also introduced measures for the protection of ancient towns and villages as it enhances the preservation and inheritance of cultural heritage.