The Ling Canal (Ling Qu) runs adjacent to the small town of Xing'an, about two hour's drive to Guilin's northeast. Construction of the canal began during the reign of China's first emperor Qin Shihuang (221 - 210 BC) with the aim of supplying  troops and uniting the empire. The canal is a masterpiece of ancient Chinese irrigation and is one of the oldest canals in the world.

The benefits of building the Ling Canal were many. By linking the Xiang River (Xiāngjiāng, 湘江) and the Li River (the same that passes through Guilin) with a canal, Emperor Qin was able to keep his troops supplied with food and money, as well as providing a means of irrigation for surrounding farm lands. This development led to increasing prosperity in the area. The canal spans a distance of 34 km (21 mi) in total. 

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