Ancient Chinese canal drives tourism boom in S China’s Guangxi

Photo shows a dam on the ancient Lingqu Canal in Xing’an county, Guilin city, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (People’s Daily Online/Yan Lizheng)

Lingqu Canal, an ancient artificial canal in Xing’an county, Guilin city, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is driving tourism growth after recent restoration efforts.

The artificial canal, constructed more than 2,000 years ago under Emperor Qinshihuang’s orders, was strategically designed to link the Yangtze and Pearl River systems for military transport.

This engineering marvel enabled Qinshihuang to swiftly consolidate control over the region south of the Five Ridges, a watershed between the major river basins, facilitating his rise as China’s…