Xochimilco is a district of Mexico City, located in the Valley of Mexico, and is famous for its canals and artificial islands called chinampas. The name "Xochimilco" comes from Nahuatl and means "flower field". The area was built on the site of a pre-Columbian town and was famous for its chinampas, which were floating gardens constructed by local agriculturalists who cultivated fruits, vegetables, and flowers on branch and reed rafts covered with mud from the bottom of the lake. Today, Xochimilco is a popular tourist destination, and visitors can ride on colorful gondola-like boats called trajineras around the 170 km of canals. The area is also known for its historic churches, mariachi music, and traditional Mexican food. Xochimilco was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.