[2025 Xing'an County Attraction] Travel Guide for Ling Canal (Updated Jul)

🌍 Geographic Background Guilin, the "heart of mountains and waters" in Guangxi ⛰, where karst landscapes create a wonder of towering peaks embracing the city with winding rivers! Millennia of culture: 5,000 years ago, ancestors settled along the Li River. The Lingqu Canal connected the Xiang and Li rivers, linking the Yangtze and Pearl River systems—bridging "the southern seas to the northern plains." Ethnic melting pot: Zhuang, Han, Yao, Hui, and more blend here—Yao village secrets hide in the rhythmic pounding of oil tea, while folk songs echo the spirit of Third Sister Liu. Ecological legend: The Li River ranks among "the world's most beautiful rivers." Where egrets dance, it’s the result of shutting down hundreds of factories. 🌟 Must-Visit Highlights (Off-the-Beaten-Path Edition) 1⃣ Li River · Morning Mist Magic 🌅 Skip Xingping! Catch sunrise at Xianggong Mountain (¥60 entry)—cloud seas roll over peaks, turning the ¥20 bill scene into 3D art! Hike down to Damianshan for secluded trails and private landscapes. 2⃣ Yulong River · Bamboo Raft Serenity 🚣‍♀ Book the Jinlong Bridge→Jiuxian route (¥255/raft), first trip at 7 AM! Glide through mist as raftsmen pole past dams—dip your feet in cool water, spot egrets skimming waves 🌊 (📌 Wear sandals! Lift feet at dams). 3⃣ Prince Jingjiang Mansion · Ming Dynasty Time Travel 🏯 The original "Guilin’s landscape tops all" inscription hides here! Touch Duxiu Peak carvings, summit for city views; explore imperial exam secret rooms and write like a scholar (¥100, students half-price). 4⃣ Longji Terraces · Yao Village in the Clouds 🌾 Stay at Jinkeng Dazhai during April flooding (¥300/night B&B)—wake to "silver ribbons on sky ladders"! Learn indigo dyeing, sip oil tea by firelight under stars 10x brighter ✨. 🍜 Foodie Code (Skip = Visit Wasted) Breakfast: Hit Lequn Road! "Haitian Rice Rolls" with house chili sauce + "Sticky Rice Station" cured meat glutinous rice (¥7 fills you). Meals: ▪ Beer fish → Yangshuo’s "Little Fishing Village": Fresh swordfish simmered in tomato broth, paired with Lipu taro pot (¥60/pax). ▪ Horse meat noodles → Taiping Road’s "Youyi Xuan": Century-old broth, paper-thin horse meat with peanuts + pickled bamboo shoots (¥12 bliss). Late-night: Shijiayuan Road’s "Laobiaoji" duck feet hotpot—fall-off-the-bone in sour bamboo shoot broth, add crispy tofu skin! 📝 4D3N Perfect Itinerary DAY1⃣: Elephant Trunk Hill (free before 7 AM!) → Prince Jingjiang Mansion → oil tea in East-West Alley → night views at Xiaoyao Tower 🌉. DAY2⃣: Li River 3-star cruise (Mopanshan→Yangshuo) → e-bike through Ten-Mile Gallery → folk tunes at West Street bars 🎸. DAY3⃣: Yulong River rafting → Silver Cave (summer retreat) → "Impression Sanjie Liu" ethnic show 💃. DAY4⃣: Longji Terraces hike → Yao village mochi-pounding → grab Gongcheng persimmons for the road 🍅. 💡 Local Pro Tips Transport hack: Rent Yangshuo sidecar motorcycles (¥150/ride)—drivers double as guides/photographers, 10x cooler than e-bikes! Ticket savings: ✅ Skip pricey Two Rivers Four Lakes cruises? Stroll free along Rong-Shan Lake path by 7:30 PM for better twin pagoda reflections. ✅ Book Silver Cave afternoon tickets online (¥10 off)—bring a jacket for constant 22℃ caves ❄. Avoid: ⚠ Don’t pay >¥30 for West Street shawls—identical ones cost ¥15 in alleys. ⚠ Decline raft "photo fees"—ask cormorant photo prices first (bargain if over ¥20). 💌 Mountains and rivers will meet again—Guilin awaits! Chase rain among peaks as clouds devour summits; Follow fish along the Li River, folding ¥20 views into paper boats— Here, even breathing feels poetic 📜.

Xing'an County is located northwest of Guilin, about 60 kilometers from downtown Guilin, with convenient transportation. It boasts both ancient historical culture and magnificent natural landscapes, making it a destination worth visiting. Historical and Cultural Tour The Xing'an Lingqu Canal is one of the world's oldest canals, renowned alongside the Dujiangyan Irrigation System. Stretching 37.4 kilometers, the Lingqu Canal was built during the Qin Dynasty and has a history of over 2,000 years. Here, you can explore hydraulic engineering marvels like the Water-Dividing Pond, Plowshare Mouth, and Herringbone Dam, as well as historical sites such as the Qin Embankment and Flying Stone. Strolling along the Lingqu Canal feels like traveling through time, experiencing the wisdom of ancient laborers. Natural Scenery Tour Mao'er Mountain is another highlight of Xing'an, known as the "Peak of South China." With towering peaks and dense forests, it is the source of the Li River. In spring, azaleas bloom in abundance; in summer, rolling seas of clouds dominate the sky; in autumn, the mountains are covered in red leaves; and in winter, the landscape is blanketed in snow. Hiking to the summit offers breathtaking views of undulating mountains and swirling clouds. Leisure and Entertainment Tour Guilin Merryland Resort World is a large-scale comprehensive tourism resort. It features a theme park, golf course, and leisure resort hotels. The theme park is divided into six distinctive zones, perfect for family fun. Here, you can fully enjoy joyful moments and unwind. Xing'an's cuisine is another highlight. You can savor local specialties like Xing'an rice noodles and duck stewed with ginkgo nuts. These dishes are not only delicious but also offer a taste of local life. Xing'an is a charming destination where both history and culture enthusiasts and nature lovers can find their own delights.

"Lingqu" is one of the world's oldest artificial canals, built during the reign of Qin Shi Huang. This waterway, built to connect the Li River and the Xiang River, is a historical heritage built over 2,000 years ago and continues to flow beautifully today. The area is surrounded by untouched bamboo forests and promenades, making it a soothing area where history and nature coexist in harmony. The early morning fog is particularly fantastic, making it a fun spot to walk around with a camera in hand. A space that history lovers will love, with a time-slip feel. #Spring0yenTrip #Lingqu #World'sOldestCanal #GuilinHistoricalSpot #FogFantasy #CulturalHeritage

Ling Canal, also known as Qin Zao Canal and Ling Canal, is a great project created by the ancient Chinese working people. It is located in Xing'an County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The Ling Canal was excavated in 214 BC, more than 2,000 years ago. As one of the oldest canals in the world, it is as famous as the Dujiangyan Irrigation System and is known as the "Pearl of Ancient Water Conservancy Buildings in the World." It consists of a plowshare, large and small balances, south and north canals, a water discharge balance, and a steep gate. It connects the Xiang River and the Li River, opening up the north-south waterway and providing an important guarantee for the Qin Dynasty to unify Lingnan. • Transportation: Navigate and drive to the scenic area, which is located on Shuangling Road, Xing'an County, Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. 📸 Photo spots: • Plowshare: The essence of the Ling Canal project. No matter how much water flows upstream, the water level after diversion is always stable and balanced. It is a great place to take photos. • Water Street: A mix of Qin style and Jiangnan water town architecture, Li Family Ancient Bridge, Three Generals' Tomb, Sculpture Gallery, etc., are all great places to take photos. 💡 Tips: • It is recommended to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. • Please respect local culture and customs and protect the environment. Xing'an Ling Canal, a place where you can feel the greatness of ancient water conservancy projects in the integration of nature and history, is waiting for you to explore and enjoy. 🌅🌿

| A world wonder that has stood the test of time. 💥 Lingqu Canal, also known as the Xianggui Canal or Xing'an Canal, is located in Xing'an County, Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the three oldest water conservancy projects in China, along with Dujiangyan in Sichuan and Zhengguo Canal in Shaanxi. It is known as the "pearl of ancient water conservancy projects." · 💯 Lingqu Canal was built in 219 BC during the Qin Dynasty and opened to navigation in 214 BC. It is 37.4 km long and played a significant role in the Qin Dynasty's unification of Lingnan. It connects the Xiang River of the Yangtze River system with the Li River of the Pearl River system. The southern canal starts at the Dividing Pond at an altitude of 215 m and ends at the Darong River at an altitude of 183 m, with a drop of 32 m. The main projects of Lingqu Canal include the Huazui, Dividing Dam (i.e. Large and Small Balance), Canal (South Canal and North Canal), Qin Dike, Drainage Dam (i.e. Drainage Balance), Sluice Gate (i.e. Lock), Weir Dam, etc. · 💧 After maintenance and repair over the years, Lingqu Canal is still navigable and continues to serve as a source of irrigation, flood drainage, ecological water replenishment, and cultural tourism. In 1988, Lingqu Canal was listed as a national key cultural relic protection unit by the State Council. In 2018, it was included in the World Heritage Irrigation Structures. · ⛰️ The name Lingqu Canal comes from the Ling River, the upper reaches of the Li River. The strata in the area include the Devonian, Carboniferous, and Quaternary systems. The geological structure is located in the southeastern margin of the western section of the Jiangnan Ancient Land and the northern part of the Xianggui Fold Belt. · 💦 The Lingqu Canal Scenic Area covers almost all of the Lingqu Canal project. The main attractions include Meiling Pavilion, Zhuangyuan Bridge, Ancient Tree Swallowing Stele, Sages Temple, Feilai Stone, Masi Bridge, Wanli Bridge, Jielong Bridge, Niangniang Bridge, etc. · If you are interested in the history, culture, or engineering structure of Lingqu Canal, you can visit the scenic area in Xing'an County to experience the charm of this ancient water conservancy project. 🎭 · 🎫 Ticket: CNY 45 per person · 🈺 Opening hours: 8:30 am–5 pm · 📍 Address: Lingqu Canal, Shuangling Road, Xing'an County, Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Witnessing a great engineering feat, the Xing'an Lingqu Canal. It was the excavation of the Lingqu Canal that connected the Xiang River and the Li River, opening up the waterway between the north and the south, which provided an important guarantee for the Qin Dynasty to unify the Lingnan region. A large amount of grain and supplies were transported to Lingnan via the waterway, ensuring a sufficient supply of materials. In 214 BC, the year the Lingqu Canal was completed and navigable, Qin troops conquered Lingnan and subsequently established the three counties of Guilin, Xiangjun, and Nanhai, officially incorporating Lingnan into the territory of the Qin Dynasty. ​Flying overhead with a drone, one can clearly see that the main project of the Lingqu Canal consists of parts such as the Plowshare, the Big Leveling, the Small Leveling, the South Canal, the North Canal, the Spillway Leveling, the Culvert, the Steep Gate, the Weir Dam, the Qin Dyke, and bridges. Although they were built at different times, they are interconnected and form an indispensable part of the Lingqu Canal. ​Located 3 kilometers southeast of Xing'an County town, the diversion pond on the upper reaches of the Haiyang River dam (also known as Meitan) is called 'Plowshare' because of its sharp front and blunt rear, resembling a plowshare. It is a stone dam with a water-diverting function that connects with the Big and Small Leveling. The dam is built upstream from the junction of the Big and Small Leveling, and the direction of the sharp angle is opposite to the main flow direction of the Haiyang River, splitting the river water into two, one flowing into the Li River through the South Canal, and the other returning to the Xiang River through the North Canal.