Lingqu Canal

 Linking the waters of the Xiang River (mainly in Hunan Province) and Li River, the Lingqu Canal in Xingan County, north of Guilin, is a great ancient water conservancy project in Chinese history. It was built over 2,000 years ago during the reign of the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty (B.C.221- 206).

The canal enjoys equal fame with Sichuan Dujiang Weir, and Shanxi Zhengguo Canal, and is the oldest contour canal in the world. It is said that this unique landscape is described as “there is the Great Wall in the north and the Lingqu Canal in the south”. The canal has been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Tentative List.

Structure and Main Attractions:
Lingqu Canal has a total length of 37 km. Besides the large and small dams and ploughshare head, the water conservancy project also consists the north and the south canals, the spillways and the sluice-gate.

With the most optimized innovative design which is practical, the Lingqu Canal fully takes advantage of the local geographical conditions. It divides the water into two parts, 30% of which running into the Li River through the South Canal while 70% running into the Xiang River through the North Canal. In this way, Li River and Xiang River are ingeniously connected. It is the great pioneering work of the close combination of man and the nature, and it is the outcome of the wisdom of the ancient labors. It also shows that the Chinese are hard-working people with abundant wisdom and unexhausted creation.

The canal is famous for the picturesque scenery and a large number of cultural relics along its banks. The most famous scenic spots among them are the Scholar Bridge, Four Sages Memorial Temple, Tablet Ignominious Administrator, the headwork and so on. You can also find the Flying Tigers Memorial there.

Comparison with the Great Wall:
As for its function and important position, People like to say that “there is the Great Wall in the north and the Lingqu Canal in the south”. But in fact, the two great works have their own distinct temperaments. Revealing apartless, the Great Wall bears the image of sturdiness and steepness. However, the Lingqu Canal，quite and calm, is full of warmth. The former brings to mind the smoke and fire of war, but the latter will make you longing for more harmony with nature. If we assimilate the canal to human beings, she will have her own value incarnate between those green mountains and clear water.

Tips:
1. Boat trips are available in the scenery area.
2. one-night stay on the Water Street is really value for money.
3. There are two noted tourist attractions nearby, namely Water Street and Qin town. You can also take a bus to the Merry Land Park the next day.

Transportation:
Take the bus at the bus station in Guilin downtown.