Relics from the past link region to ancient traders

Li Shichuan, a historian and retired director of the Qinzhou Museum, says it is important to draw historical lessons from Qinzhou's history "when we intend to revive the Maritime Silk Road of the 21st Century."

The thousands of Han Dynasty-era tombs around Qinzhou and the shards of pottery and ancient utensils from Arabia, Europe, India and Persia that have been excavated in Qinzhou are testimony to its past glories.

Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty, sent his soldiers to guard southern China after uniting the region with the north. The soldiers dug a 34-kilometer canal called Lingqu, connecting the upper reach of the northward Xiangjiang River in Hunan and the upper reach of the southward Lijiang River in Guangxi.