Chicheng Yunzhou Reservoir

Chicheng Yunzhou Reservoir

Yunzhou Reservoir is located in the Sheshenya Mountain Gorge, about 20 kilometers north of Chicheng County in Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province. It is a large (Class II) comprehensive water conservancy hub project on the upper reaches of the Bai River, a major tributary of the Haihe River Basin's Bai River. The reservoir controls a catchment area of 1,170 square kilometers and has a total storage capacity of 102 million cubic meters. Construction started in 1969 and was largely completed in 1972. It is primarily a flood control facility, while also providing water supply, as well as generating electricity, supporting irrigation, and enabling fish farming as part of its integrated functions.

The main structures of Yunzhou Reservoir include the main dam, auxiliary dam, spillway tunnel, water conveyance and power generation tunnel, and power station. The main dam is 43.15 meters high and 183.40 meters long; the spillway tunnel has a diameter of 8 meters, is 432.9 meters long, and has a maximum discharge capacity of 718 cubic meters per second; the water conveyance and power generation tunnel has a diameter of 3 meters, is 195.5 meters long, and has a maximum water conveyance capacity of 75 cubic meters per second; the auxiliary dam is 6.5 meters high and 29 meters long; the power station has an installed capacity of 1,200 kilowatts, with an annual maximum power generation capacity of 350 million kWh. Over the years, Yunzhou Reservoir has played a significant role in flood control, water supply, and irrigation. As one of Beijing’s important drinking water sources, since 2004 it has supplied 10 to 20 million cubic meters of water to Beijing annually, making a major contribution to alleviating Beijing’s water supply pressure.

Yunzhou Reservoir boasts uniquely distinctive tourism resources. The dam between two mountains is steep and precipitous, the surrounding waters are serene and picturesque, and the reservoir area is home to nationally protected first-class cultural relics such as cliff inscriptions from the Liao and Song dynasties, the towering natural formation of Longmen Cliff, and nearby scenic and spiritually rich ancient Huguo Temple and untouched primeval forests. The entire area is enveloped by various types of soil and water conservation forests, economic forests, and scenic forests. The whole engineering zone, recreation area, work zone, and living zone are surrounded by green lawns, flowers, and turf. Coupled with blue skies, clear waters, rocky mountains, small boats, cormorants, and historical sites, Yunzhou Reservoir is adorned like a painting, offering exceptionally favorable natural conditions.

To the north lies the Five-Flower Grasslands of Bashang and traditional Mongolian residential areas, where endless rolling grasslands present a spectacular view and offer a chance to experience the rich culture of the Mongolian people, providing a refreshing experience. To the east is Yanqing County in Beijing, which enjoys obvious geographical advantages and relatively concentrated tourism resources. Here, you can enjoy the stunning scenery of the reservoir, appreciate the charm of small boats drifting gently and fishermen singing at dusk, visit historical relics, explore pristine mountain forests, experience the landscapes of Bashang and Mongolian villages, and get a taste of ethnic customs. At the same time, you can also travel to Beijing for sightseeing.

Transportation Guide

Scenic Area Address: Within Yunzhou Township, Chicheng County, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province

By Bus: Take a bus from Chicheng County heading toward Yunzhou or Guyuan, and get off at Yunzhou Reservoir.

By Car: Starting from Beijing, take the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Expressway, exit at Shacheng, and follow Baoping Highway to Chicheng County; from Yanqing, take the Beijing-Jiang Highway to Chicheng; buses to Chicheng are available from Beijing’s Xizhimen and Deshengmen bus stations, and from Chicheng you can directly reach various scenic spots.