According to historical records, there was an ancient commercial road from Hunan province to Daxu Town of Guangxi province through Quanzhou County, Xing'an County since Song dynasty of over one thousand years before. This road was renowned as the Southern Silk Road, for it played a significant role in the exchange and transportation of goods between central and Southern China. 

Goods had been transported through river from Xiang River to Li River via Ling Canal before the commercial road was built. There were 36 sluices in the dyke and it took more than one month for the ship to pass them. 

With booming business, the water transportation can't meet the commercial demand any more. The government sponsored to build a road near the water path. This is the so called Southern Silk Road which shortened the time from one month to one week. This road has been active for over 500 years and only gradually been left behind in memories since 1930s when railways and highroads were built.