Xianghongdian Reservoir

Xianghongdian Reservoir

Xianghongdian Reservoir is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a national water conservancy scenic area.

The national-level water conservancy scenic area — Xianghongdian Reservoir Scenic Area — is located in Jinzhai County, Lu’an City. It is 120 kilometers from Hefei and 60 kilometers from Lu’an City.

In 1951, to bring the Huai River’s flooding under control, Chairman Mao Zedong issued the call “We must tame the Huai River.” As a result, over 20,000 workers of the Huai River regulation campaign spent more than two years constructing the Xianghongdian Reservoir in Anhui Province — the largest reservoir in the Huai River basin with a capacity of 2.61 billion cubic meters.

Construction of the Xianghongdian Reservoir Dam began in 1956 and was completed in 1958. It is China's first self-designed and self-built “constant-radius, same-center concrete gravity arch dam.” The reservoir controls a catchment area of 1,431 square kilometers, has a maximum dam height of 87.5 meters, a crest arc length of 367.5 meters, and a crest width of 6 meters. Viewed from afar, the dam resembles a rainbow suspended between two mountains. Standing atop it, one feels as though gazing at an impregnable fortress of bronze holding back a lake of sapphire waters and protecting the livelihoods of people downstream.

The Xianghongdian Hydropower Station, with an installed capacity of 40 megawatts, was once a key peak-shaving and frequency-regulation power plant in Anhui Province, playing an important role in the province’s power grid. In 2000, the reservoir expanded with the addition of Anhui’s first pumped-storage power station, with a capacity of 80 megawatts, which contributes to peak shaving, valley filling, phase regulation, frequency modulation, and emergency backup in the power grid. Its underground power plant, as tall as a six-story building, resembles a magnificent underground palace — cool in summer and warm in winter, a veritable wonderland with natural springs flowing year-round. The scenic area hosts a national-level artificial weather modification operation base and a fully automated six-element meteorological station, making it highly suitable for science education tourism. With a forest coverage rate of 90%, it is a natural oxygen bar and a true green tourism destination. The site is also the birthplace of the Red 25th Army. Though the original site is submerged under the reservoir, remnants of trenches can still be seen on surrounding hills, offering rich resources for red tourism. Additionally, the area features the thousand-year-old Crystal Temple, where Emperor Wu of Liang once became a monk. Exploring this timeless ancient site gives visitors a deep sense of the area’s rich historical and cultural heritage. Visiting the beautiful Xianghongdian Reservoir Scenic Area is like admiring a traditional ink-wash landscape painting, sure to leave you lingering and reluctant to leave — a trip truly worthwhile.

Covering a water area of 69 square kilometers, Xianghongdian Reservoir, together with the Foziling Reservoir, irrigates 6.6 million mu (approximately 440,000 hectares) of farmland downstream. It also supplies water to cities such as Lu’an and Hefei and provides ecological replenishment, serving as the “big water tank” for 13 million downstream residents. One might say that Xianghongdian Reservoir embodies a quiet yet profound beauty — its beauty is genuine, not hollow. Its beauty lies in the selfless dedication of those in the water conservancy sector, who strive for bountiful harvests across the land.

The reservoir abounds in fish species such as mandarin fish, silver carp, white threadfin, and yellowfin. A single haul once caught over 260,000 pounds of fresh fish, setting a world record for inland river fishing at the time. It serves as an ideal venue for water sports and a natural spot for fishing. The massive artificial lake features islands and scenic spots such as Dragon Island, Phoenix Island, Whirlpool Net Mountain, Lion Mound, and Fishing Platform. Historical sites nearby include Huangchaojian Temple, Songshan Temple, and Crystal Temple. The thousand-year-old Qishan Pine, so large it takes five people to encircle its trunk, spreads its branches as if welcoming guests from all directions.

The scenic area neighbors the Hongshigou National Geological Park and the Lu’an Guapian Eco-tea Garden, and lies at the heart of the Lu’an Tea Valley. Hongshigou has long been famed for its “28 peaks, 18 cliffs, 72 caves, 36 bizarre rocks, and 12 waterfalls.” The area features surrounding peaks, adjacent tea plantations, clusters of red stone, murmuring streams, cascading waterfalls, and ancient caves hidden within. Among them are the age-old Qiyun Mountain, the Bat Cave — the birthplace of Lu’an Guapian tea — and the marvelously strange Lei Gong Cave. There are also volcanic remnants like the Qiyun Grottoes, signature red stone landscapes such as Red Stone Soul, Hippo Playing in Water, Lotus Stone, the breathtaking Red Stone Slab River, as well as Dalong Pool and Tianhe Waterfall, scattered throughout. The emerging Xianghongdian Scenic Area has become a new tourism destination integrating eco-tourism, water sightseeing, and tea culture experiences, serving as another shining jewel in the Dabie Mountains tourism crown.

The accompanying Xianghongdian Water Conservancy Hotel offers a tranquil and elegant environment. Its facilities meet three-star standards, featuring 80 high- and mid-range guest rooms fully equipped with amenities including broadband internet access. There are two meeting rooms, large and small. The Long World Restaurant can accommodate over 200 diners simultaneously. The hotel also provides a parking lot, swimming pool, and visitor reception center. It is an ideal place for tourists to sightsee, attend conferences, conduct business negotiations, or enjoy leisure vacations.

Address: Xianghongdian Reservoir Management Office, Jinzhai County, Anhui Province (Mapu Town, Jinzhai County, Anhui Province)

Phone: 0564-7313692

Hotel: 7313798, 7313799