Jiuxuan Sluice

Jiuxuan Sluice

Jiuxuan Sluice, located at the head of Machang Reducing River in Jinguantun, Jinghai District, Tianjin, primarily diverts floodwaters from the South Canal, channeling them into the sea via the Machang Reducing River. At the same time, as the first intake point for the Yellow River-to-Tianjin Water Diversion Project, it plays a crucial role in emergency water diversion from the Yellow River. To address Tianjin’s water supply needs, this sluice has been tasked multiple times with conveying Yellow River water.

Constructed in the seventh year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1881), it has undergone several renovations. It is one of the earlier sluice constructions in Tianjin’s water conservancy history. Except for the replacement of the gate and hoisting equipment, the rest of the structures are original and still in use.

The sluice is a typical representation of China’s modern hydraulic science and technology level. It is not only an important hydraulic engineering structure but also holds historical and cultural value. In 2013, a new sluice was built at its front section.

Historical records indicate that Jiuxuan Sluice is also known as Xuanniu Sluice. In ancient times, numbers were divided into yin and yang, with odd numbers being yang and even numbers yin. Among the yang numbers, nine is the highest, hence the name Jiuxuan Sluice, meaning a sluice that diverts waters from multiple rivers.

Further reading:

· Fourth Batch of Tianjin Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Units