China's World Irrigation Engineering Heritage Sites Reach 26 Water Wisdom that has flowed for thousands of years

China's world irrigation engineering heritage reaches 26 places, they benefit one party, Ze was replaced by future generations -

The wisdom of water control that has flowed for thousands of years

After the rain, the first sun is clear, and the mist is swirling. On June 14, the Ziquejie Rice Terraces in Xinhua County, Hunan Province, were soaked with water, like mirrors, reflecting busy figures.

Feng Yuhui, a villager in Ziquejie Village, Waterwheel Town, rushed to the terraces early in the morning to plant rice seedlings. Feng Yuhui has been cultivating here for generations, and he told reporters that the Ziquejie Terraces are artesian irrigation projects, and there is no need to dig mountain ponds and build reservoirs, and the babbling water flows endlessly for four seasons. Thanks to its ingenious design, the Ziquejie Rice Terraces are inscribed on the World Heritage List of Irrigation Engineering.

Irrigation is of great significance to the development of human civilization. Since 2014, the International Irrigation and Drainage Commission has been selecting irrigation engineering heritage sites worldwide. China is an ancient irrigation civilization, and is the country with the richest type of irrigation engineering heritage, the most extensive distribution and the most prominent irrigation benefits. At present, there are 26 Chinese projects on the World Irrigation Engineering Heritage List.

June 11 this year is China's Cultural and Natural Heritage Day. Recently, people have approached the heritage of irrigation engineering, listened to irrigation stories, and felt the charm of irrigation culture.

Blending nature and engineering –

"The wisdom of the ancients is amazing"

The World Irrigation Engineering Heritage embodies the wisdom of the ancients and flashes the light of civilization. A large number of irrigation projects have withstood the test of history, and have not become ruins in the remnants of the westerly wind, but have continued to store floods and droughts, moisten the land, and become a model for the integration of nature and engineering.

Barefoot in the field, bending down to plant seedlings... In the cascading terraces, Feng Yuhui repeated the actions of his ancestors. The water in this terraced field has been flowing for more than 2,000 years. According to research, the Purple Quejie Terraces originated in the pre-Qin Dynasty and flourished in the Song and Ming Dynasties, which is a milestone in the development of irrigation agriculture in the multi-ethnic areas of Xiangzhong.

The terraces are distributed in the foothills of the mountains at an altitude of 500-1200 meters, with a total area of 6416 hectares and a total of more than 500 steps. There are no mountain ponds or reservoirs in the terraces, and a pure natural artesian irrigation project is constructed with a unique source of water from the pores of bedrock fissures. The terraces of the mountain are connected by countless irrigation water networks, and each terrace is both a reservoir and a soil retention bed, which not only ensures rice irrigation, but also prevents soil erosion.

"The Terraces of the Purple Magpie Realm are built according to the situation of the mountain, as small as a dish, as large as a basin, as long as a belt, as curved as the moon, with different forms and thousands of changes, just like the Yao Pond in the sky and the wonderland on earth." This is the description of the Purple Magpie Boundary Terraces in the Xiangjiao version of the high school compulsory textbook.

Today, the Purple Magpie Terraces still nurture 16 villages and more than 10,000 villagers, who still retain their traditional production and lifestyle. "The terraces are flood-proof and drought-tolerant. The wisdom of the ancients is amazing. Feng Yuhui said.

However, after all, the traditional planting method is less effective, the enthusiasm of farmers to cultivate land is affected, and some fields are deserted. In order to protect the fields for the villagers and the scenery for tourists, since 2016, Xinhua County has subsidized grain growers, and Waterwheel Town has guided farmers to set up cooperatives and farms. The government, enterprises and growers have worked together for win-win development and reversed the situation of loss of land.

In response to the call, Feng Yuhui mobilized young people in the village and the elderly with the ability to work to set up a cooperative. The terraces are planted well, planted large, and planted beautifully, and the tourism of the Purple Magpie Circle has also developed. Feng Yuhui said that the Purple Magpie Boundary used to be a poor mountain ravine, and now it is a 4A-level scenic spot.

This year's "Cultural and Natural Heritage Day" theme event in Hunan Province was held in Xinhua County. Researchers from Central South University of Forestry and Technology gave a speech on the conservation of the Purple Magpie Terraces, and the theme activities were broadcast live online.

The Ziquejie Rice Terraces have been praised by international water conservancy experts as "the miracle of water conservancy irrigation projects in the world". 1,000 kilometres away, another world wonder of irrigation engineering is also a perfect blend of nature and engineering.

The rolling water of the Min River rolls and roars with the huge waves of sand and gravel, rushing out of the mountains. However, when it reached the middle stream, it slammed its feet and meekly injected into the Chengdu Plain, heading towards the fertile fields. It was Dujiangyan who "subdued" this manic river.

The first hub project of Dujiangyan Canal is located in Dujiangyan City, Sichuan Province. Tourists enter the Dujiangyan scenic spot, look around and find that neither the dam nor the wide water surface, the famous Dujiangyan is somewhat "low-key". This is precisely the greatness of Dujiangyan, which is the oldest and the only remaining damless irrigation project in the world today.

Dujiangyan was founded in the Warring States period. In 256 BC, Shou Li Bing of Shu County built the Dujiangyan Water Conservancy Project, which introduced the water of the Min River into the hinterland of the plain by building a fish mouth and excavating a treasure bottle mouth, which was used for flood control, shipping and irrigation, so that the Chengdu Plain changed from "Zeguo" and "Red Basin" to "Heavenly Capital". In 662 AD, Feishayan was completed, marking the formation of the layout of the first three main projects of the Dujiangyan Canal. During the Tang and Song dynasties, the irrigation area of Dujiangyan gradually expanded. After the founding of New China, the Dujiangyan Water Conservancy Project was transformed on a large scale, and the irrigation area developed to 10.65 million mu in 7 cities and 38 counties.

The scientific nature of the Dujiangyan water conservancy project is praised by the world. "Deep taotan, low weir", "divided into four or six, flat and dry", "taking advantage of the situation, according to the conditions of the times"... These water control concepts, which have been handed down through the generations, have been unremittingly sought by predecessors and are extremely valuable even today.

After more than 2,000 years of hard work, the huge benefits of Dujiangyan have continued to this day. In recent years, the Dujiangyan water conservancy engineering system has been continuously improved, and the heritage of this ancient irrigation project has become increasingly rejuvenated.

In the hinterland of the Sichuan Basin, the hilly areas of the watershed on both sides of the Tuojiang and Fujiang rivers, the terrain is like the back of a fish, and it cannot retain water, becoming a famous "dry area in central Sichuan". "Look, the water is coming!" On July 6, 2021, in Lezhi County, Sichuan Province, 87-year-old Wang Longying stood on crutches by the "Tianhe River", excited. Above his head, the water of the River flows slowly. On the same day, the first phase of the Bihe Water Supply Project was opened to water, which "quenched the thirst" of nearly 2.25 million people in Central Sichuan.

Bihe river is one of the main water diversion canals of Dujiangyan, and the Bihe water supply project is an important part of Dujiangyan water conservancy project. Today, an artificial river of more than 150 kilometers stretches across the river and flows in parallel with the TuoJiang River. Part of the aqueduct crosses over the city and is known as the "Heavenly River" by the people. At present, the second phase of the bihe river water supply project is being accelerated.

The World Irrigation Engineering Heritage carries thousands of years of civilization and wisdom, benefiting one party and future generations. Tongjiyan, located in Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, has a history of 1500 years and still irrigates the Bihu Plain, making it an important grain-producing area in southwest Zhejiang; Zheng Guoqu, located in Jingyang County, Shaanxi Province, has undergone changes and still nourishes 1.45 million mu of farmland in the Guanzhong Plain...

Coordinated protection and utilization——

"The ancient village in memory is back"

In recent years, all localities have made overall plans to protect and utilize the heritage of irrigation projects, so that the heritage of irrigation projects can bloom with new brilliance in the new era.

Pugang, an ancient and unique water conservancy project in the Taihu Lake area. 2,500 years ago, the ancestors dug a port on the wetland mudflats of Taihu Lake, built canals, and built polders. From the air, the water network of the port is vertical and horizontal, resembling a chessboard. The port is a great creation of the ancient working people in the Taihu Lake Basin, which conforms to nature, leads in both directions, bundles water to attack sand, turns the beach into fertile soil, and creates a grand scene of "fish and rice township, water into a network, and green trees on both sides of the strait".

Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, is the only area where the port has been completely preserved. Located in Yigao Village, Wuxing District, Huzhou City, on the banks of Taihu Lake, it is located at an important node of the Port System and is known as the "Pearl in the Port Cultural Belt".

In the early summer morning, Hu Gencai, a 79-year-old villager in Yigao Village, began to pace along the river, with blue sky and green water, pink walls and dappled ancient bridges, and every scenery can evoke the memories of the elderly. Hu Gencai told reporters that the "pearl" of Yigao Village has also experienced a bleak period. "Many monuments have been destroyed, and the river channel in the village once became a stinky ditch..." Hu Gencai said, "8 years ago, the ancient village in memory returned." ”

In 2014, Yigao Village was included in the list of traditional Chinese villages and a key village for the protection and utilization of historical and cultural villages in Zhejiang Province, and the ancient bridges, ancient roads and ancient houses were restored. In November 2016, Taihu Lake Port was inscribed on the World Irrigation Engineering Heritage List.

Today, there are special regulations for the protection of the port. From June 20, the Regulations on the Protection of the World Irrigation Project Heritage of Taihu Port in Huzhou City (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulations") came into force. The "Regulations" stipulate that it is not allowed to "occupy, landfill, block, or excavate ports, hengtangs, and lakes without authorization", and it is not allowed to "build residential, commercial, office and factory buildings in the core protection zone".

Talking about this "Regulation", Hu Gen came to strength, and the speed of speech became faster. He said that during the formulation of the Regulations, "I was also consulted!" As long as it is a matter of protecting the port, we villagers support it. ”

The villagers of Yigao Village understand that to guard the port is to guard their own beautiful life. Every holiday, a place of farmhouses and ancient houses is bustling. "People from the surrounding cities come to Yigao Village as soon as they have time. Sitting by the river, looking at the scenery of the ancient village, drinking tea, singing, it is very comfortable. Hu Gencai said. Nowadays, villagers are looking forward to the restoration and protection of more monuments such as the Five Lakes Academy, retaining the water veins and retaining nostalgia.

In the land of China, more and more irrigation engineering heritage has come alive and beautiful.

In summer, the Lingqu in Xing'an County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is lined with trees and blue waves. Several cruise ships skimed gently over the water, passing under the stone bridge and heading off into the distance. The Lingqu, which has a history of more than 2,000 years, once stopped shipping. In recent years, after a series of efforts, the Spiritual Canal has been able to resume navigation, and the millennium monuments have ushered in a recovery.

Founded in 214 BC, the Lingqu connects the source of the Xiang River and the Li River, and is a cross-basin water conservancy project connecting the Yangtze River Basin and the Pearl River Basin, with both water transportation and irrigation benefits, and is one of the most famous water conservancy projects in ancient China.

However, with the passage of time and the change of stars, since the opening of the Xianggui Railway in the 1940s, the transportation function of the Lingqu has gradually weakened. By the 1960s, lingqu shipping had completely ceased.

In the 21st century, after careful research, water conservancy experts have proposed that the spiritual canal should be "alive" again. After repair and renovation, in January 2018, the Lingqu officially resumed. In the same year, the canal was inscribed on the World Heritage List of Irrigation Projects.

The successful declaration of the World Irrigation Engineering Heritage has made the Lingqu Protection Station a new starting point. In March this year, the dredging project of the Lingqu canal was completed as scheduled, and the water environment of the Lingqu was optimized and improved. The 500-year-old Sanli Bridge spans the Lingqu Canal. Recently, there was a partial collapse of the bridge deck, and Xing'an County promptly organized cultural security experts and bridge experts to conduct on-site surveys and properly repaired the collapse.

The development and utilization of the World Heritage of Irrigation Engineering is premised on conservation. The 2018 Central Document No. 1 clearly proposes to protect the heritage of irrigation projects. The No. 1 Document of the Central Committee in 2022 proposes to promote the protection and utilization of intangible cultural heritage and important agricultural cultural heritage.

Through the water vein and the context——

"Let traditional culture be passed on"

The heritage of irrigation projects not only waters out the harvest years, but also the splendid culture.

June 3, Dragon Boat Festival. In Sangyuanwei, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, a dragon boat race kicked off. The helmsman controls the direction, the drummer directs the rhythm, the paddlers struggle to shake the oars... The dense water network of Mulberry Garden provides excellent conditions for dragon boat races and gives birth to special cultural activities such as dragon boat racing. Guan Ruiling, a 51-year-old dragon boat team member, often watched dragon boat races with his parents when he was a child. "I went from being a spectator to today's contestant, and this is my dragon boat love affair. We want to pass on the traditional culture. Guan Ruiling said.

Mulberry Garden Wai, named after the large areas of mulberry trees planted. In 2020, Sang Yuen Wai was inscribed on the World Heritage List of Irrigation Projects. This Lingnan water conservancy project with a history of more than 900 years stands in the global spotlight and tells its story to the world.

Mulberry Garden Wai was founded in the Northern Song Dynasty during the Huizong Period, by the Beijiang, Xijiang embankment combined, the total length of the embankment is 64.84 kilometers, the land area within the wall is 265.4 square kilometers, is the largest water conservancy project in ancient China. Local people through the embankment, river surge and douzha irrigation, the development of depressions, river beaches, the transformation of ponds to raise fish, ponds planted mulberry silkworms. In this way, silkworm sand feeds fish, pond mud and mulberry, forming a virtuous ecological cycle. The construction of the Sangyuanwei Water Conservancy Project has opened up the history of large-scale agricultural development in the Pearl River Delta region.

Climbing Xiqiao Mountain in Nanhai District, Foshan City, you can see the magnificent picture of Sangyuanwei: with Xiqiao Mountain as the center, the Xijiang and Beijiang rivers are surrounded by an olive-like area with a dense river network and scattered cottages, which is the core area of Sangyuanwei. A series of cultures such as dragon boat culture, lion awakening culture, and academy culture flourished here.

Dragon boat racing in Sangyuan was popular in the Qing Dynasty. There are many large sluice gates built in Sang Yuen Wai, and on the day of the dragon boat race, the area around the sluice gate becomes a lively viewing platform. Before the start of the race, runners from all over the world moored their dragon boats on the banks of the river not far from the locks, lined up in a row. At the beginning of the competition, the group of "dragons" raced and bravely rushed towards the gate, forming a spectacular scene of thousands of "dragons" racing across.

Recently, the Nanhai District released the Mulberry Garden Wall Water Vein Plan, involving 58 kilometers of water veins and a planned area of 16.29 square kilometers. According to the plan, the Mulberry Garden Water Vein will realize the integration of ecology and humanities, and become the green vein of ecological civilization and the cultural inheritance and innovation of Lingnan culture.

Irrigation projects and culture accompany each other, and characteristic irrigation projects give birth to characteristic culture.

The dam has thousands of miles of water, and the dragon caresses thousands of acres of fields. Located in Weinan City, Shaanxi Province, Longshouqu Yinluogu Irrigation District is located in the lower reaches of the Beiluo River, a secondary tributary of the Yellow River, and the Weiluo River Terrace in the Qindong Plain, and is one of the important birthplaces of Chinese civilization. In 120 BC, Emperor Wu of han adopted the advice of Xiong Yi of Shouzhuang in Linjin County and ordered the construction of the Longshou Canal.

The Dragon Shou Canal leads to the integration of dragon culture and Han culture poured out of the Luogu Irrigation District. Around the Longshou Dam, "dragon elements" such as Longtan, Dragon Cave, and Dragon King Temple can be seen everywhere; Longquan, Longpan, Longchi, Longqu and other villages are all over the irrigation area. Along the canal, Wudi Temple, Handi Village, Xihan Village, Eastern Han Village, Zhonghan Village and other villages and ruins tell the vicissitudes of more than 2,000 years.

The Luanhe Irrigation District is located in the northwest of Jiangxi Province, spanning Fengxin County, Jing'an County and Anyi County, and belongs to the Luan River Basin, a tributary of the Xiuhe River. The irrigation district project was built in the Tang Dynasty during the Taihe period, and the ancients built Pupi in the lower reaches of the southern branch of the Beiluan River, opened canals to divert water, and irrigated more than 1,000 acres of farmland. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Wushitanpi and Xiangpi were built. Today's Luanhe Irrigation District, irrigating 336,000 mu of farmland, benefiting a population of 260,000 people, is an important granary in northwest Jiangxi.

In order to excavate the outstanding water conservancy cultural heritage, the Luanhe Engineering Administration Bureau built the Wushitanpi Cultural Park, and also built the Luanhe Irrigation District Cultural Exhibition Hall in Xiangpi. Walking into the Luanhe Irrigation District Cultural Exhibition Hall, only to see the millennium scenery gathered in one place, the exhibition hall with the theme of "Millennium Irrigation Canal Ancient Stream", using pictures, videos, objects, sand table simulation and other means, multi-angle interpretation of the cultural connotation of the Huanghe Irrigation District, showing a long history, inheriting the past and the future of the millennium irrigation district.

Pan Xutao

Source: People's Daily Overseas Edition