Four ancient Chinese irrigation projects were honored as World Heritage Irrigation Structures on Wednesday.
Granted by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage at the 76th International Executive Council Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the inclusion of the four irrigation projects has brought the total number of Chinese irrigation projects on the list to 42.
The four newly enlisted heritage projects include the Hani Rice Terraces in Yuanyang County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Chishan Lake Irrigation Project in Jurong City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jianjiang Weir in Pengzhou City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, and Yongding River Ancient Canal Irrigation System in Beijing.
The Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces, dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907), cover an irrigation area of 3,740 hectares. Built on the slopes of the Ailao Mountains, they are renowned for their integrated ecosystem that combines forests, villages, terraces, and water systems.
The Chishan Lake Irrigation Project, built in 239 AD, remains a key facility for irrigation and flood control on the upper reaches of the Qinhuai River, serving about 5,133.33 hectares of farmland.
The Jianjiang Weir, constructed during the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC-8 AD), continues to irrigate 10,800 hectares today.
The Yongding River Ancient Canal System in Beijing, with sections dating back to the Liao Dynasty (916-1125), ingeniously uses river bends to draw water, prevent floods, and control silt, reflecting traditional wisdom of harnessing nature for human use.
The World Heritage Irrigation Structures, established by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage in 2014, aims to protect and promote irrigation projects of historical value and scientific experience. The list now covers 200 projects across the world.
Four Chinese irrigation projects granted world heritage status
