Along the river, the leisure and hospitality sector provides a new spur for the region and the canal to pick up steam.

In 2019, the Lingqu Canal scenic spot received more than 300,000 visitors, up by 9.31 percent compared with the previous year, and raked in about 3.72 million yuan ($531,664), according to local authorities.

To date, over 500 residents from around 150 households in Nandoukou, a smaller village within Zheyuan, have benefited from the region's revival, working as boatmen, cleaners, security guards or running restaurants and food trucks at the scenic spot. Villagers can also cash in about 400,000 yuan in total as dividends from the firm that was authorized to manage the spot, according to Jiang Gongyuan, head of Zheyuan village.

"I started my career as a boatman at the age of 23. My entire family sees the canal as an integral part of our lives," says Ai.

To preserve the cultural heritage and bonanza, the National Cultural Heritage Administration funneled some 166 million yuan into the county, supporting its preservation and refurbishment. The local government also raised more than 80 million yuan to set up a culture exhibition center, displaying the stories behind the canal to visitors.

The rudiments of modern water gates can be observed along the waterway, making Lingqu one of the most ancient canals equipped with such gadgets, according to Liu Jianxin, president of the Guangxi Xing'an Lingqu Historical and Cultural Association.

"As the people and the government go all out in their efforts to explore and preserve the old canal, I have confidence that the waterway will become a more riveting tourist destination and the village will get a fillip in the meanwhile,"Liu says.