Located in Xing'an County, near Guilin City, Lingqu Canal is one of the oldest canals in the world. First built in 214 BC, it has a history of 2217 years. The canal is 30 kilometers long and 5 meters wide and connects the Xiang River with the Li River, and thus is part of a historical waterway between the Yangtze and the Pearl River Delta. There is an old saying that "North is Great Wall and South is Lingqu Canal." However, unlike the spectacular and solemn Great Wall, Lingqu Canal is quiet and tranquil. In addition, it has many scenic spots around the canal, including Meiling Pavilion, the Square of Qin Culture and Zhuangyuan Bridge (Number One Scholar Bridge). The canal has been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites tentative List.
Travel tips:
Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. (May 1 to Oct. 31);
8 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Nov. 1 - April 30);
Admission: 40 yuan
How to get there: take bus from Guilin to Xing'an County and then transfer tricycle