Condition of the Canal, October, 2013

The Língqú 灵渠 Magic Transport Canal is well protected and restored only along its eastern-most three kilometers, within the Lingqu Scenic Spot and along historic Water Street in the town of Xing’an. Beyond Water Street, to the west, the sidewalls, width, and adjacent sidewalks of the Lingqu continue for several blocks.  But the condition of the canal is deplorable at many places along its remaining route to the west, especially the un-restored approximately three kilometers on the west side of Xing’an. 

 The Lingqu makes many twists and turns as it maintains its elevation along the contours of the landscape, eventually joining a canalized tributary of the Li River after another approximately five kilometers. From that point, some twenty kilometers distant, through canalized river channels, it reaches the Li River proper, at the western end of the canal.  The total length of the Língqú 灵渠 Magic Transport Canal is a few more than thirty kilometers

Banks and towpath no longer maintained, the Língqú 灵渠 Magic Transport Canal is just a vegetation-choked ditch in western Xing’an. A low flow is maintained in the canal, which can be viewed from many street bridges. 

Banks and towpath no longer maintained, the Língqú 灵渠 Magic Transport Canal is just a vegetation-choked ditch in western Xing’an. A low flow is maintained in the canal, which can be viewed from many street bridges. 

In one segment, the canal route shares what appears to be a city sewer.

 At one point, the Lingqu appears to be encroached upon by dirt fill, dumped for nearby construction.