Pinglu Canal
Canal under construction in Guangxi, China
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Pinglu Canal (simplified Chinese: 平陆运河; traditional Chinese: 平陸運河; pinyin: Pínglù yùnhé; Jyutping: Peng4 luk6 wan6 ho4), is a 134.2-kilometer inland river I-class waterway under construction between Xijin reservoir on the Yu river in Hengzhou and the lower part of the Qin River, allowing access to the Gulf of Tonkin. The canal will shorten the route between inland Guangxi and the sea by up to 560 km (350 mi).[1] It is China's first river-to-sea canal since 1949.[2]
| Pinglu Canal | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Pinglu Canal | |
| Location | Guangxi |
| Country | China |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 134.2 km (83.4 miles) |
| Maximum boat beam | 15.8 metres (52 ft) |
| Maximum boat draft | 5 metres (16 ft) |
| Locks | 3 |
| Maximum height above sea level | 65 |
| History | |
| Construction began | August 2022 |
| Date completed | December 2026 (planned) |
| Geography | |
| Start point | Xijin reservoir, Hengzhou, Guangxi |
| End point | Qinzhou (Gulf of Tonkin) |
Description
Overall difference in elevation is 65 meters. The lock complexes at Madao, Qishi and Qingnian each have two locks that are 300 meters long and 34 meters wide. Madao locks handle an elevation difference of 30 meters; they reduce water consumption 63% by partially discharging to local reservoirs.[1]
The canal is designed for 5000-ton ships of 90 meter length, 15.8 meter beam and 5.0 meter draft.[3]