In full flow

An aerial view of Lingqu Canal, which dates back to the Qin Dynasty. FU HONGYUAN/FOR CHINA DAILY Ancient waterway poised to tap deep heritage channeling tradition with innovation toward sustainable future, Alexis Hooi and Zhang Li report in Guilin, Guangxi. Ji's sense of duty reflects the latest efforts to preserve and promote Lingqu's physical, cultural and social value — the man-made waterway is the first of its kind, a pioneering hydraulic, navigational feat stretching 36.4 kilometers through four major towns as it links the Xiang and Lijiang rivers and, by extension, the major Yangtze and Pearl river basins. The International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage recognizes Lingqu Canal as a World Heritage Irrigation Structure, "an exquisite illustration of Chinese technical and engineering capabilities. According to the UNESCO citation, the canal is lauded as a model of early canals that reflects the "Asian hydraulic and navigation technology of ancient civilization".It "integrates navigation, irrigation and flood control functions and is an outstanding example of comprehensive, sustainable and effective use of natural resources in traditional Chinese agricultural society", helping to maintain stability in the south of a unified country.