Shuangxi Scenic Area

Shuangxi Scenic Area

Shuangxi, where the Wufeng River and the Shoushui River converge, is an area of exceptional feng shui, located at the source of the Xushui River about 2 kilometers west of Rong County. In earlier times, there was the “Book Pavilion,” which served as the ancient library of Rongzhou; the “Shuangxi Wang Family Stone Cave,” also known as the “Earth Immortal Cave” inscribed by the Northern Song Dynasty poet Huang Tingjian; and the plum trees beloved by Lu You, a Southern Song Dynasty poet and former prefect of Rongzhou. It was the scenery, historical sites, library, and plum trees of Shuangxi that attracted Lu You to frequently visit for “evening climbs,” “small banquets,” and “plum blossom outings,” leaving behind many famous poems. However, by then, Shuangxi had gradually become desolate and solitary, prompting Lu You to write lines such as “Bare mulberry roots sprout with wild grass, and empty river ferries gather evening crows.” Though he was deeply concerned for his country and people and advocated for agriculture, little could he have imagined that decades later water conservancy projects would be developed here in Shuangxi.

In 1988, leaders from the Zigong Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference decided to visit Shuangxi to investigate and propose the construction of a reservoir. Despite their advanced age, they made the arduous trip to Shuangxi to survey the terrain and inquire in detail: where to build the dam? How high should the embankment be? How many dams? How large should the power station be? How would it supply urban water needs? They also carefully listened to the plans, opinions, and preparations regarding the reservoir construction presented by officials and experts from the municipal and county water authorities. After thorough deliberation and research, an inspection report was compiled and submitted as a proposal to the municipal Party committee and government: constructing the Shuangxi Reservoir aligned with the directives of the central and state governments to strengthen the agricultural foundation and vigorously develop agricultural production. It held great significance for advancing the national economy, enhancing agricultural sustainability, and improving the natural ecological environment.

The proposal was quickly adopted and implemented. Construction began in October 1989 and took four years, culminating in the completion of the Shuangxi Reservoir in 1993. The dam stands 51 meters high and stretches 400 meters long, covering a reservoir area of 2.5 square kilometers with a water storage capacity of over 60 million cubic meters. It irrigates 216,000 mu (approximately 14,400 hectares) of farmland across more than 20 townships. In 1994, construction began on the Caoweichong Tunnel in Fudong Township, Rong County—a dual-purpose project combining urban water supply and farmland irrigation. The construction method integrated channels and pipelines: the channel spanned 34 kilometers (including 25 kilometers of underground conduit), the pipeline extended 5 kilometers, and the system included 28 tunnels, 13 aqueducts, 26 control gates, distribution gates, and flood discharge gates, along with 100 smaller structures. The massive and complex project was fully completed and operational by 1996. In addition to supporting Rong County’s development as a national base for commodity grain, lean pork, and citrus fruits, the project helped eliminate flood risks downstream of Shuangxi and also supplied Zigong residents with 80,000 cubic meters of water per month, meeting most of the city’s monthly demand of 180,000 cubic meters. When the water supply began, the entire city rejoiced, raising a toast with the words “Water from Shuangxi Lake, tea from Longdu.”

“Withered wood greets spring and sprouts new green; Shuangxi’s morning reveals a tranquil lake.” The Shuangxi Reservoir is not only a “lake of survival” for the people of Zigong but also a wonderful destination for tourism. From afar, the dam resembles a giant dragon lying between two mountains, majestic and imposing. The four bold, crimson characters “Shuangxi Reservoir,” handwritten by General Zhang Aiping and produced by the Zigong Academy of Painting, are inlaid on the lush green artificial turf at the front of the dam, shining brilliantly. Ascending to the top of the dam and looking out over the vast waters, one sees rippling waves dotted with green islets, harmoniously blending mountain and water into a serene scene. Behind the islets, a group of wild ducks can often be seen—some playing on the water at dusk, others soaring into the blue sky—truly evoking the poetic imagery of “sunset clouds flying with a lone duck, autumn water merging with the boundless sky.”