[Vibrant China Research Trip] The canal is open, and tourism is booming

"Students, this is the Ma Dao Junction, the first tier hub of the Pinglu Canal of the 'Century Project.'" On the morning of October 13, in Qinzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the observation deck of the Pinglu Canal Ma Dao Junction was crowded with people. Students from Guangxi Yulin New Century Middle School were using binoculars to watch the sluices and take photos to check in.

"As a Guangxi native, I have always heard about this 'project of the century.' But today I stood at the observatory and saw the wide river and modern ship locks for the first time. I was still very shocked." said a second-year junior high school student at the scene.

Liu Jie is the research assistant for these children. "Today, all 19 classes of our grade came, and more than 900 students in total came to study together." She told reporters that the children showed strong interest in the structure of the canal and the water-saving principle of the locks at the horse road hub.

On September 16 this year, the Pinglu Canal, the first canal to connect rivers and seas constructed at the national level since the founding of the People's Republic of China, was officially opened to navigation. This century project, which carries a century-old wish, has not only reshaped the maritime logistics pattern in Southwest China and greatly improved the efficiency of inland water transportation, but also quickly emerged from the circle with the unique charm of "engineering wonders + river and sea scenery + new cultural and tourism formats". The popularity of sightseeing check-ins and research and study experiences along the route continues to rise.

The reporter saw at the Madao Junction that the parking lot was filled with tourist buses and self-driving vehicles from all over the country. "After the canal was opened to navigation, the number of tourists visiting the hub has increased significantly." On-site staff told reporters that the construction site where machines once roared has now become a new "check-in place" well-known far and wide.

As early as April this year, before the Pinglu Canal was opened to navigation, Madao Hub was approved as an autonomous region-level primary and secondary school research base. "Before it was opened to navigation, what the students saw was the construction site where the huge lock was completed and the majesty of the project was displayed. After it was opened to navigation, it was another shock when the lock gate opened and closed and the river rushed to the sea." Zhang Kai, secretary of the party branch and chairman of Guangxi Pinglu Canal Cultural Tourism Development Co., Ltd., told reporters.

Up to now, the Madao hub has received a total of about 4,700 research students, of which about 1,700 will be received after it is opened to navigation. During this year's Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day, many tourists were attracted to visit and take photos here.

In addition to feeling the charm of the great infrastructure of the country, the Pinglu Canal also connects the landscape and culture along the route, giving tourists a new cultural and tourism experience.

Starting from Nanning and heading south along the Pinglu Canal, the mountains, rivers, coastal areas, and cultural landscapes along the canal are connected in series. Nanning, Qinzhou and other places have taken advantage of the popularity of the Pinglu Canal to launch a number of high-quality canal tourism routes. Relying on canal engineering, salt transportation culture, jasmine and coastal characteristic resources, they bring tourists a new way to enjoy the river and sea.

At the mouth of the Pingtang River, where the canal begins, you can experience the historical heritage of the "Salt City of Eight Dynasties"; walk into the horse road hub loop, and look up at the country's first exclusive wildlife passage bridge across a large canal; at Qinzhou, the mouth of the canal, take a cruise across 6 cross-canal bridges, and check out the magnificent hub project up close...

"When I was a child, I went down to touch clams, and now it is a canal that connects the river to the sea." Not long ago, Ms. Yang, a local citizen, got on the "Tahoe 1" cruise ship and paddled on the canal. The scenery on both sides of the river slowly unfolded. There was also an introduction to the local Nixing pottery, old streets and other special cultures on the ship. "I was exposed to the 'Project of the Century' and re-viewed my hometown. The shock and pride arose spontaneously."

At present, the Qinzhou Water Comprehensive Service Zone has opened water sightseeing passenger routes including river-sea routes and inland water routes. Tourists can board boats here to visit the Pinglu Canal. Data shows that from September 17 to October 11, the route operated a total of 243 flights and received a total of 28,932 tourists. Zhang Kai said that currently, every cruise ship in operation is fully booked every day, and reservations for some cruises have been scheduled for several months.

"The cruise ship is not only a means of transportation, but also a mobile water exhibition hall. The ship is equipped with explanation services and performing arts programs, which will provide a detailed and comprehensive introduction to the overview of the canal project and the cultural landscape along the canal, allowing tourists to appreciate the scenery on both sides of the strait while feeling the construction achievements of the century project, and understand the Pinglu Canal's century-old wish to connect the river and the sea and the era's mission of strengthening the sea." Zhang Kai introduced.

Water cultural tourism projects are "hot", and shore supporting facilities are also developing simultaneously. Entering the canal-specific cultural and creative exhibition area of ​​Qinzhou Water Comprehensive Service Area, canal-related refrigerator magnets, postcards, Guangxi-specific Zhuang brocade and other products are neatly displayed. "The most popular ones are the 'Pingping' and 'Shunshun' refrigerator magnets. Their prototypes are the Chinese white dolphins in Qinzhou. Many tourists here will take one home as a souvenir." On-site staff told reporters.

Integrating canal construction scenes, natural landscapes, and history and culture, a variety of cultural and tourism products have also been developed along the canal. Among them, the "Canal Ceremony" series integrates the three major hub graphics into famous local specialties such as Liubao tea, Nixing pottery, and Zhuang brocade, allowing thousands of years of water veins and local intangible cultural heritage to enter life in a more daily and intimate way, and constantly expanding the expression boundaries of canal cultural creation.

"Next, we will further implement the 'Canal + Hundred Industries' strategy, focus on building three sub-brands of 'Canal Good Scenery, Canal Good Cultural Creativity, and Canal Good Activities' to promote three-dimensional development along the line." Zhang Kai said that in the future, we will also organize activities such as the Canal Marathon, the Canal Cycling Race, the Canal Music Festival, etc., and work together to strengthen the canal's unique IP through research, cultural creation, and competitions, allowing tourists to immerse themselves in the charm of the Pinglu Canal.