The Sanmenxia Dam Photo: VCG

China's first list of the Yellow River water conservancy heritage has been officially released by the Yellow River Conservancy Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources (YRCC), according to a post of China's Ministry of Water Resources. An expert who participated in the list evaluation told the Global Times that the list will help create a positive atmosphere nationwide, encouraging the entire society to better protect and utilize the Yellow River water resources. 

Jiaying Temple in Jiaozuo, Central China's Henan Province, the Lin Gong Dyke (a historical flood-control structure built by Lin Zexu, a Qing Dynasty [1644-1911] official during his tenure in Kaifeng, Henan Province), the Sanmenxia Dam (which was the first dam on the Yellow River) and the Luokou hydrological station, one of major hydrological stations in the lower reaches of the Yellow River, are among the 20 water conservancy heritage sites included in the list.

Chen Weida, a research fellow of the YRCC, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the list will foster a better public understanding of China's management of the Yellow River, as these infrastructures reflect the country's water management history and showcase its expertise in this field. 

Meanwhile, "the list also helps us understand the water-­conservancy-related cultural heritage present in the basin," Chen said. 

The YRCC initiated the construction of an information management system in 2023. By linking more than 700 clues to water conservancy heritage, the YRCC completed on-site research at 663 sites. Since 2024, the YRCC dispatched experts familiar with the culture along the Yellow River to carry out the first joint Yellow River water conservancy heritage evaluations. This effort has now been completed, resulting in the finalized list. 

The 20 water conservancy heritage sites in the list include ancient levees, dangerous projects from ancient times, ancient dams and hubs, irrigation projects, culvert projects, hydrological stations and memorial sites that commemorate the history of the Yellow River basin management efforts.

The construction period of these site spans from the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC) and Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220) to modern time. 

The 20 water conservancy heritage sites are considered to have significant historical, scientific, ecological, cultural and social value. On the one hand, these sites reflect the change in the concept of waterway management, on the other hand, the sites also embody the spirit of the Chinese nation, which is characterized by diligence, bravery and a constant pursuit for progress.