Xing An: Waterways and History along the Lingqu

Explore Xing An through its waterways. The southern canal of the Lingqu runs through Dongcun in San Gui Village, Xing'an Town. This locates the canal in a specific place, while its significance extends beyond that location: the Lingqu connects the Xiang and Li rivers, and therefore the Yangtze and Pearl River systems. Water and landscape offer a fitting starting point for discovering what makes Xing An special.

The Lingqu: length, age and connection

The Lingqu is 37.4 kilometres long and more than 2,000 years old. These two facts offer different perspectives: its length conveys its physical extent, while its age points to a long history. Together with its connection between the Xiang and Li rivers, they allow the Lingqu to be viewed both as a specific waterway and as a historic hydraulic engineering work. Visitors interested in landscape and culture will find a focal point here that brings the two together.

Two areas in the Lingqu scenic area

The Lingqu scenic area is divided into the Canal Head Historical and Cultural Protection Area and the Qin City Water Street Cruise and Recreation Area. This division identifies different focal points within the area: historical culture at the Canal Head and an area associated with cruises and recreation. The scenic area is rated as a national 4A tourist attraction and designated a nationally protected key cultural heritage site. The tourist rating and cultural heritage protection status describe different aspects of the area.

A memorial site and Water Street

The Xiangjiang Long March Breakthrough Martyrs Memorial Scenic Park offers a distinct historical perspective. It, too, is rated as a 4A tourist attraction. Its focus is commemorating the martyrs and the breakthrough at the Xiangjiang; in this respect, its subject differs from the Lingqu’s water-related focus. Qinwen Liushang is the entrance to Xing'an Water Street. The street runs along the Lingqu through the county seat. Thus, alongside the historic canal and the memorial site, Water Street and its relationship with the Lingqu are also distinct topics to explore.

The Qingshui River and its landscape

The Qingshui River offers another landscape to explore. It runs through the Daoguan, Shanjiao and San Gui areas of Xing'an Town. Its scenic appeal and opportunities for exploration add a different perspective to the historical themes: here, the river itself and its landscape take centre stage. For travellers interested in river landscapes as well as the Lingqu, this offers another focal point for discovering Xing An.

Choose the focus that suits your trip

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Xing An, you could start by considering what you would like your stay to focus on: the Lingqu’s length and long history, its connection between river systems, the commemoration at the Xiangjiang, or the Qingshui River landscape. These are distinct themes, not interchangeable descriptions of the same place. If you are travelling with children, you can discuss together which story or landscape sparks the most curiosity.

Discover more destinations:

Nanning, Laibin, Yulin, Wuzhou, Hechi, Fangchenggang, Yangshuo, Liuzhou

For the broader travel overview: Guangxi.