The Eight Western Sluices of the Fuyang River

The Eight Western Sluices of the Fuyang River are located on the north bank of the Fuyang River between Daci Village and Tianbao Village, west of Yongnian County. Built during the Ming Dynasty, these eight early water conservancy facilities are commonly known as the “Eight Western Sluices” because they lie to the west of Yongnian County town. They are now a key cultural relic protection unit of Hebei Province. All the sluices are constructed of brick and stone in a rectangular shape. Five of the original sluices still remain, along with…

The Eight Western Sluices of the Fuyang River

The Eight Western Sluices of the Fuyang River

The Eight Western Sluices of the Fuyang River are located on the north bank of the Fuyang River between Daci Village and Tianbao Village, west of Yongnian County. Built during the Ming Dynasty, these eight early water conservancy facilities are commonly known as the “Eight Western Sluices” because they lie to the west of Yongnian County town. They are now a key cultural relic protection unit of Hebei Province. All the sluices are constructed of brick and stone in a rectangular shape. Five of the original sluices still remain, along with one built during the Republic of China era. Among them, the Guangren Sluice is 6.2 meters long, 9.95 meters wide, and 2.15 meters high above ground. It was built in the 42nd year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty and could irrigate 3,000 mu of farmland. The Jimin Sluice is 18.8 meters long, 14 meters wide, and 6.8 meters high, built in July of the 8th year of the Jiajing reign. The Fumin Sluice is 20.6 meters long, 7.74 meters wide, and 6.69 meters high, built in the 7th year of the Wanli reign. The Zhimin Sluice, 12.6 meters long, 8.9 meters wide, and 6.1 meters high, was built in 1934. Three of the Eight Western Sluices — the Puhui, Bianmin, and Guangji Sluices — no longer exist.

It is recorded that the Eight Western Sluices originally irrigated over 19,000 mu of farmland, greatly benefiting tens of miles of agricultural land along the north bank of the Fuyang River. Today, four of the original sluices and the Republic-era Zhimin Sluice are still in use. These sluices represent an outstanding creation and contribution by ancient Chinese laborers in the field of water conservancy, and hold significant value for the study of the development history of agriculture and water management in Hebei Province.

In May 2013, the Eight Western Sluices of the Fuyang River were designated as part of the seventh batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.

Further reading:

· Second Batch of Key Cultural Relics Protection Units in Hebei Province

· Seventh Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level