The State Council has approved Gaoyou, East China’s Jiangsu province, to be listed as a national historical and cultural city.

According to the approval, local governments should make a protection plan for the city; historical and cultural areas and streets should be marked; relic protection organizations, protection scope and construction control areas of historical buildings should be zoned.

During the planning and development, the city should be protected, with environmental management and renovation of historical buildings.

The document also asked local housing and urban-rural development departments and the State Administration of Cultural Heritage to strengthen related instructions, supervision and inspection.

Gaoyou is a city with a long history and rich cultural remains. The city’s traditional patterns and features are well preserved. Its ancient postal culture and canal culture have important historical and cultural value.