Ancient Salt Hub Revived as Pinglu Canal’s Starting Point in Guangxi
Hengzhou, Guangxi, June 10 — Pingtang River Estuary in Hengzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, marks the northern terminus of the Pinglu Canal, a landmark infrastructure project that is revitalising an ancient water transport hub. For centuries, the adjacent Pingtang Village served as a key salt distribution centre, with a customs post established as early as the Han Dynasty to oversee trade across southern China. It flourished for eight dynasties as a critical transit hub for waterborne commerce in western Guangxi.
The village’s historic riverside streets were submerged in the 1960s following the construction of the Xijin Hydropower Station, submerging its millennia-old prosperity. Residents rebuilt their homes on higher ground, preserving their connection to the water while awaiting a new chapter.
That transformation is now unfolding. As the centrepiece of the Western Land-Sea New Corridor, the 134.2-kilometre Pinglu Canal broke ground in August 2022 and achieved full water connectivity on June 3, 2026, entering a water testing phase ahead of navigation scheduled for September 2026. It will connect the Xijiang River to the Beibu Gulf, creating the shortest, most economical sea route for southwest China.
Pingtang Village is evolving from a quiet riverside settlement into a vibrant gateway linking inland and maritime networks. The historic waterfront streets now welcome growing numbers of visitors, blending ancient heritage with modern logistics development. Local residents are embracing new opportunities, with small businesses emerging to serve the influx of workers and tourists.
Upon completion, the canal will cut over 560 kilometres from inland shipping routes compared to traditional passages via Guangzhou, significantly reducing logistics costs and enhancing trade links with ASEAN nations. As China’s first nationally coordinated sea-linking canal since the Grand Canal, it stands as a critical driver for regional economic integration and opening-up.
