At the 76th International Executive Council meeting of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), held on Wednesday morning in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the 2025 list of World Irrigation Heritage Projects was announced. Four Chinese projects were included: the Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces in Yunnan Province, the Qishan Lake Irrigation Project in Jurong, Jiangsu Province, the Qianjiang Irrigation System in Pengzhou, Sichuan Province, and the ancient irrigation project on Beijing’s Yongding River. With this recognition, China now has 42 projects on the global irrigation heritage list.
The Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces, located along the southern banks of the Hong River in Ailao Mountain, cover a total irrigated area of about 3,733 hectares. They stand as a remarkable example of agricultural development rooted in the natural environment, reflecting the close integration of the Hani ethnic group’s traditions, religious beliefs, and irrigation practices.
The Qishan Lake Irrigation Project, situated in Jurong, Jiangsu Province, boasts a history of over 1,700 years. As a key irrigation and flood-control system in the upper reaches of the Qinhuai River, it irrigates nearly 5,133 hectares of farmland.
The Qianjiang Irrigation System in Pengzhou, Sichuan Province, was built over 2,166 years ago. Encircling the alluvial plain of the Longmen Mountains, it is a striking example of an ancient irrigation system that integrates farmland irrigation, flood drainage, and sediment discharge.
Meanwhile, the ancient irrigation project along the Yongding River in Beijing’s Mentougou District comprises five historic canals, nearby springs, and wells. It provides water for about 133 hectares of farmland and 1,330 hectares of orchards.
Source: Suborna–Hashim–Ruby, China Media Group.