Pinglu Canal · Guangxi, China
Pinglu Canal Guide
Explore the Pinglu Canal — opened to navigation on September 16, 2026. An independent guide to the map, cruises, lock hubs, and shipping across Guangxi's new river-to-sea waterway. 平陆运河信息指南。
- Total canal length
- 134.2 km
- Vessel class
- 5,000 t
- Total water-level drop, start to sea
- 65 m
- Est. shortening of the sea route
- 560 km
What would you like to know?
Canal Map
The Pinglu Canal is located in Guangxi, southern China. It starts at Pingtangkou on the Xijiang waterway in Hengzhou and runs south along the Qinjiang River to the Beibu Gulf at Qinzhou Port. Use the interactive map to explore the canal route, three lock hubs and key locations; the simplified schematic below gives a quick overview.
About the Pinglu Canal
The Pinglu Canal opened to navigation on September 16, 2026, after four years of construction. About 134.2 km long, it links the Xijiang river system — the main inland waterway of Guangxi — directly to the Beibu Gulf (Gulf of Tonkin). It is the first river-to-sea canal built in China since 1949.
Built to Class I inland waterway standards, it handles 5,000-tonne vessels through three cascading lock hubs — Madao, Qishi and Qingnian — that overcome a total water-level difference of about 65 metres. According to official releases, the Madao ship lock is the largest water-saving inland ship lock in the world.
For shipping, public estimates cited in official releases project that the canal shortens the inland waterway to the sea by about 560 km compared with the traditional route via Guangzhou, and that overall logistics costs fall by 18–30% on affected flows. This guide collects what international readers most often ask: where it is, how to visit, and why it matters for ASEAN trade.
Latest Information
2026-09-16
Pinglu Canal officially opened to navigation
Per the Guangxi government press conference and the Ministry of Transport, the canal opened on September 16, 2026, with four sightseeing routes and two cargo routes launched the same day.
View original ↗2026-09
Sightseeing fares announced for the Nanning section
Two Nanning-section loops (Xinfu terminal–Madao hub and Xinfu–Pingtangkou) and two Qinzhou-section routes are in service. Per Nanguo Morning Post, Nanning-section fares are CNY 128 for adults and CNY 88 for children.
View original ↗2026-09
First ASEAN-bound cargo routes launched
A domestic route to Yangpu Port (Hainan) and a foreign-trade route to Can Tho, Vietnam began service on opening day, per CCTV and People's Daily reports.
2026-09-24
First cargo vessel of the Can Tho route reaches Vietnam
Per Xinhua, the "Beigang Nanning Borun" — carrying 252 TEU — departed Nanning's Liujing terminal on September 16, transited the canal into the Beibu Gulf, anchored off Can Tho on September 23 and was welcomed at a ceremony on September 24, completing the maiden voyage of the Nanning–Can Tho river-sea route.
View original ↗
Compiled from official releases and major media (as of September 2026) for reference; schedules, prices and policies are subject to operators' latest announcements.
FAQ
Where is the Pinglu Canal?
In Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southern China. It starts at Pingtangkou in Hengzhou (Nanning) and runs south through Lingshan County, Qinzhou, to the Beibu Gulf at Qinzhou Port.
Is the Pinglu Canal open?
Yes. It opened to navigation on September 16, 2026, with four sightseeing cruise routes launched the same day.
Can tourists cruise on the canal?
Yes. Four sightseeing routes operate from Nanning (Xinfu terminal) and Qinzhou. See the Cruise Guide for routes, tickets and booking; details are subject to operators' announcements.