Huaihe Bengbu Sluice Water Conservancy Scenic Area

Huaihe Bengbu Sluice Water Conservancy Scenic Area

The Huaihe Bengbu Sluice Water Conservancy Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a national water conservancy scenic area.

I. General Information

The Huaihe Bengbu Sluice Water Conservancy Scenic Area is situated in the middle reaches of the Huaihe River, in the western suburbs of Bengbu City. The scenic area comprises the 28-bay sluice gate, 12-bay sluice gate, old ship lock, expanded ship lock, hydroelectric power station, flood diversion channel, and a thousand-acre wetland park. It offers integrated functions including flood control, irrigation, navigation, hydropower generation, road transportation, and tourism. The drainage area above the sluice gate covers 121,000 square kilometers. The scenic area benefits from convenient transport, being around 6 km from downtown, and about 10 km from the train and bus stations. Bengbu Port, the largest port on the thousand-li Huaihe River, lies 4 km downstream of the Bengbu Sluice. The area is well-served by an extensive network of highways, being just 2 km from the Hefei-Xuzhou and Jieshou-Ningguo expressways, ensuring excellent access.

II. Scenic Area Introduction

In 2004, the Ministry of Water Resources approved the Huaihe Bengbu Sluice Water Conservancy Scenic Area as a national water conservancy scenic area, and it was rated as a national AAA-level tourist attraction in 2008. The scenic area boasts stunning scenery where mountains rise from the water, bridges span across it, and the landscape blends harmoniously. Lush trees, tranquil ambiance, birdsong, and floral fragrance create an environment known as the “Urban Bird Island” and “Natural Oxygen Bar.” To the south lies the historically rich Mount Tu, the base of the ancient flood-control hero Yu the Great and the site of the ancient Tushan tribal state. To the north is the vast Huaibei Plain, guarded by the robust yet vibrant Huaibei Dyke, which plays a crucial role in flood prevention for the region’s industrial and agricultural activities.

The Huaihe Bengbu Sluice Water Conservancy Scenic Area features five major themes: 1. Showcasing Yu the Great’s Vision: Presenting the grand Bengbu Sluice water conservancy project, an unrealized vision of Yu the Great’s flood control efforts. As a large (Type 1) hydraulic hub in the middle reaches of the Huaihe River, the Bengbu Sluice has created significant social and economic benefits for industries, agriculture, navigation, and hydropower along the river, thoroughly resolving the issue of Huaihe flooding. Well-designed tour routes and rest areas introduce visitors to water conservancy science. 2. Viewing the Majesty of the Huaihe: “The Huaihe’s waves surge, boats come and go in busy navigation,” these lines vividly depict the Huaihe as a vital transportation route for millennia. The Bengbu Sluice Scenic Area offers one of the best vantage points to admire the river’s grandeur, with recreational facilities set up for optimal viewing. 3. Appreciating Wetland Essence: Wetlands are among the most diverse ecosystems, playing a key role in improving urban environments and fostering harmony with nature. The scenic area integrates the characteristics of wetland ecosystems, creating a miniature wetland park that provides a refreshing oasis for city dwellers. 4. Enjoying Harmony with Nature: Centered on the theme of harmony between humans and nature, the scenic area is developed as a comprehensive water conservancy destination offering water sightseeing, leisure vacations, conference hosting, science education, and public fitness. 5. Returning to Simplicity and Nature.

Based on the nature of the Bengbu Sluice and surrounding land use, as well as its location, the Huaihe Bengbu Sluice Scenic Area primarily focuses on water engineering and culture. It integrates tourism, leisure, conferences, science education, and fitness into a comprehensive water conservancy scenic area. The entire site is divided into four functional zones: the Thousand-Acre Wetland Park, Tourism and Leisure Zone, Service and Management Zone, and Water Engineering Sightseeing Zone.

Thousand-Acre Wetland Park: Located in the low-lying riverine area north of the Bengbu Sluice, this zone covers approximately 73.6 hectares, with parts perennially waterlogged. Utilizing the existing terrain, the design incorporates islands and peninsulas of varying sizes to create a complex and dynamic spatial structure, forming distinctive wetland landforms and landscape frameworks. The plan also includes wetland flora and fauna displays, leisure facilities, and a range of wetland-themed recreational, educational, and scientific activities. Based on the original topography and surrounding conditions, the park is divided into six areas: Main Entrance Area, Wetland Recreation Zone, Wetland Viewing Zone, Children’s Play Area, Wetland Leisure Zone, and Water Activity Zone.

Tourism and Leisure Zone: Situated on the diversion dike of the existing Bengbu Sluice hydroelectric power station, this area spans about 6.6 hectares. It includes a resort service center as the main tourism reception facility, along with holiday villas for higher-end accommodation. Supporting amenities such as an entrance garden, parking lots, turnaround areas, outdoor swimming pool, and tennis courts are also provided, making it a comprehensive tourism zone for conferences, lodging, dining, leisure, and sports.

Service and Management Zone: This central management area of the Bengbu Sluice Scenic Area covers approximately 4.2 hectares. It houses the scenic area’s administrative offices, featuring well-planted trees and high vegetation coverage. Existing structures include the Bengbu Sluice Flood Control Dispatching Building, staff canteen, and power distribution facilities.

Engineering Sightseeing Zone: The Bengbu Sluice hydraulic hub mainly consists of the 28-bay sluice gate, 12-bay sluice gate, hydroelectric power station, ship lock, and flood diversion channel. This zone, spanning about 69.4 hectares, utilizes water conservancy infrastructure for tours, with well-designed routes guiding visitors to explore the facilities and learn about water conservancy science. A sightseeing elevator is installed at the south bridgehead of the 28-bay sluice gate, offering panoramic views of the Huaihe River. An observation platform is also set up on the upstream guide dike between the 28-bay and 12-bay sluice gates, where the Premier of the State Council has inspected the Huaihe River on two occasions.

III. Introduction to Key Attractions

1. 28-Bay Sluice Gate: Located on the main channel of the Huaihe River, construction began in October 1958 and was completed on May 1, 1960. The sluice is 336 meters long with 28 bays, each 10 meters wide. The base elevation is 10.0 meters, and the crest elevation is 12.0 meters.

2. 12-Bay Sluice Gate: Positioned on the floodplain between the northern end of the 28-bay sluice gate and the Huaibei Dyke, construction started on August 10, 2000, and was completed on November 10, 2003. The new and old sluices share the same axis alignment, with a centerline distance of 396.8 meters. It has 12 bays, each 10 meters wide, with a base elevation of 9.0 meters and a total length of 141.7 meters.

3. Old Ship Lock: Located on the right bank of the Huaihe mainstream, adjacent to the 28-bay sluice gate, construction began on December 1, 1959, and was completed on October 1, 1961. It is a third-grade waterway capable of handling vessels up to 1,000 tons. The lock chamber is 195 meters long and 15.4 meters wide, with miter gates at both ends. The upstream sill elevation is 13.6 meters, and the downstream sill is 9.2 meters, with the chamber floor at 9.2 meters.

4. Expanded Ship Lock: Located to the right of the existing ship lock, between the flood diversion channel and the old ship lock, the axes of the two locks are parallel with a spacing of 66.8 meters. Construction commenced on October 28, 2007. It is a third-grade waterway with a capacity for 1,000-ton vessels. The lock chamber is 230 meters long and 23 meters wide, also featuring miter gates with upstream and downstream sills at 12.3 meters and 7.8 meters respectively, and a chamber floor at 7.8 meters.

5. Hydroelectric Power Station: Situated on the right bank of the 28-bay sluice gate, it generates electricity using the water head and surplus discharge. Construction took place from October 1984 to April 1987. It is a low-head, run-of-the-river type power station with six 800KW turbines, totaling 4,800KW installed capacity. Designed annual output is 19.74 million kWh, though actual production reaches around 30 million kWh.

6. Flood Diversion Channel: Located between the southern bank of the ship lock and the hillside, construction started in June 1970 and was completed in September 1973. When the water level exceeds 19.0 meters, natural flooding occurs over the floodplain. The channel features nine three-hinged arch bridges, each 32.3 meters wide, with a total span of 314 meters.

7. Thousand-Acre Wetland Park: Located on the left bank of the 12-bay sluice gate, the park is divided into six areas based on terrain and surroundings: Main Entrance Area, Wetland Recreation Zone, Wetland Viewing Zone, Children’s Play Area, Wetland Leisure Zone, and Water Activity Zone.