Guilin Lingqu Canal Irrigation Sites Get World Heritage Status

Four ancient irrigation sites from China have been inscribed world heritage structures: the Dujiangyan irrigation system, the Lingqu Canal, the Jiang-Xi Dam and the Changqu Canal.

The International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage announced on Monday the 2018 list of the Heritage Irrigation Structures.

The announcement was made in Saskatoon, Canada, at the 2018 International Conference and 69th International Executive Council Meeting of the ICID.

The Dujiangyan irrigation system in Southwest China's Sichuan province is the only irrigation project system in the world built over 2,000 years ago that is still used for practical purposes. It is important in draining off flood and to irrigating farms, and providing water resources for more than 30 counties and cities in the province.


Located in Xing'an county, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, the Lingqu Canal was built 2,000 years ago as a water transport route and an irrigation project, which turned Xing'an an agriculturally developed area.

The Jiang-Xi Dam in Zhejiang province consists of Jiang and Xi dams and was built in 14th century. It is still in use.

Hubei province's Changqu Canal is 48-km-long and is also known as Bai Qi Canal.

The Heritage Irrigation Structures began in 2014 and is awarded every year. ICID was founded in 1950.

In the previous four sessions, China saw 13 irrigation systems included in the list.