Jinsha Lake Water Conservancy Scenic Area

Jinsha Lake Water Conservancy Scenic Area

The Jinsha Lake Water Conservancy Scenic Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a national water conservancy scenic area.

The Jinsha Lake Water Conservancy Scenic Area in Langzhong, Nanchong, Sichuan, centers around the section of the Jialing River within Langzhong, covering an area of 101 square kilometers. With its beautiful natural ecology, it combines various dynamic and static water scenes along with Langzhong’s unique folk culture, forming a picturesque landscape of “harmony between people and water.” The lake is surrounded by undulating mountains, overlapping peaks, deep valleys, and crisscrossing ravines, known for its seclusion, depth, beauty, and wonder, resembling an appropriately shaded ink painting — ethereal and tranquil. It allows visitors to enjoy the beautiful environment of the lake area while gaining deeper insights into the long history of water management and the scientific knowledge of water conservancy, as well as experiencing the remarkable achievements of modern water projects. Especially from the vast expanse of the lake, one can admire the ancient city of Langzhong, appreciate the charm of the fairyland-like Langyuan, and feel the spiritual essence and wonder of this geomantic treasure land and earthly paradise, making it a place people never want to leave. The riverside ecological and cultural corridor stretches 10 kilometers along the shoreline from Tengwang Pavilion, along the riverfront road, to Huaxu Square in the eastern part of the city. The entire shoreline has undergone ecological renovation using slope protection and greening technologies. The resulting waterfront walkways are ideal spots for enjoying the lake and mountain scenery, leisure activities, and fitness.

According to the plan, the scenic area will take the development of the water conservancy scenic area as a breakthrough point to leverage the benefits of Jinsha Lake in terms of water conservancy sightseeing, leisure vacations, cultural experiences, and ecological conservation. Efforts will be made to restore the water ecosystem, optimize the living environment, improve the environment in the water conservancy project area, enrich water conservancy initiatives, develop a distinctive water conservancy brand, solidify the water conservancy industry, enhance regional synergy, and enliven water culture. Taking into comprehensive consideration the development model of the Jinsha Lake Water Conservancy Scenic Area, a spatial layout will be planned for the scenic area, presenting an overall spatial structure of “one core, one lake, two axes, and ten zones.” The ultimate goal is to transform the Jinsha Lake Water Conservancy Scenic Area into a site with the cultural characteristics of Langzhong.

Located between the Jinping-Tai Hydroelectric Hub and the Shaxi Hydroelectric Hub, Jinsha Lake surrounds the 5A-level Ancient City of Langzhong on three sides, making it a typical urban river-lake type water conservancy scenic area. The total area of the scenic spot is 101 square kilometers, with the water surface covering approximately 44.96 square kilometers. According to multiple measurements by relevant provincial and municipal departments, the forest and grass coverage of Jinsha Lake reaches about 90%, with the air quality in the scenic area meeting national Class I standards, and the water quality reaching national Class II. The waters of Jinsha Lake are gentle and steady, with broad surfaces free of reefs, abundant freshwater fish, and numerous bird species, making it suitable for the development of various types of water tourism projects. Especially in winter, the expansive waters outside the ancient city become an ideal habitat for migratory birds such as wild geese, wild ducks, and egrets to forage and overwinter. Therefore, it's a great destination for bird watching and leisure.

From June to August this year, the Ministry of Water Resources dispatched experts in two groups to conduct scientific evaluations on nine national water conservancy scenic areas with potential for water tourism development, including Jinsha Lake in Langzhong and the Jinping River Jinkou Grand Canyon. Guiding suggestions were provided regarding the nature and positioning, functional zoning, overall planning, and construction of each scenic area.

As early as several years ago, the Langzhong municipal government incorporated the water-based development of Jinsha Lake into the “Overall Tourism Plan,” completing a substantial amount of water resource protection work. A large amount of funding was invested to relocate all industrial enterprises and government offices in the ancient city area to the Qili Development Zone, thus eliminating the discharge of industrial wastewater. Additionally, sewage treatment plants were constructed, and more stringent oversight and penalties were enforced on domestic sewage discharge in the ancient city. Combined with greening and beautification projects, the shoreline slopes and beaches were treated and maintained, significantly improving the ecological environment of Jinsha Lake.

“The development and construction of the Jinsha Lake National Water Conservancy Scenic Area will greatly expand the spatial reach and cultural depth of the ancient city tourism, effectively propelling the transition of the 5A-level Ancient City Scenic Area from simple sightseeing to a more leisure-oriented experience.”