1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Nanning

NANNING, a treaty port in the province of Kwangsi, China, on the West river, 250 m. above Wuchow and 470 m. from Canton. Pop. about 40,000. It is the highest point accessible for steam traffic on the West river. From Canton to Wuchow the river has a minimum depth of 8 ft., but on the section from Wuchow to Nanning not more than 3 or 4 ft. are found during winter. The town is the chief market on the southern frontier. Its opening was long opposed by the French government, who had acquired the right to build a railway to it from Tongking, by which they hoped to divert the trade through their own possessions. Navigation by small native boats is open westwards as far as Paise.