Jingwei Lake Water Conservancy Scenic Area

Zhangzi Jingwei Lake Water Conservancy Scenic Area

The Zhangzi Jingwei Lake Water Conservancy Scenic Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction, a national water conservancy scenic area, and a national wetland park.

The Jingwei Lake Water Conservancy Scenic Area is located in Zhangzi County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province. Built around the Shencun Reservoir, it is a reservoir-type water conservancy scenic area covering an area of 4.18 square kilometers, including a water surface area of 2.87 square kilometers. The Shencun Reservoir is a key control hydraulic structure situated at the furthest upstream section of the southern main course of the Zhuozhang River within the Haihe River Basin. The dam site lies about 15 kilometers from the source of the Zhuozhang River, where the ancient legend of Jingwei Filling the Sea took place.

This area boasts open vistas, beautiful scenery, and a pleasant environment, making it suitable for development as a tourist resort. Once developed, the scenic area will complement Zhangzi’s ancient Eight Scenic Spots—such as Yutai Spring Dawn, Zhangyuan Cascading Greenery, Zixiu Clear Clouds, and Cilin Evening Glow—as well as new attractions like the relocated Faxing Temple, the majestic Fahong Mountain, and ancient billion-year-old petrified wood. It will also integrate traditional cultural stories such as Jingwei Filling the Sea, Cui Jue Subduing the Tiger, Shennong’s Magical Grain, and Yao’s Son Danzhu.

Though called the Zhuozhang (Muddy Zhang), it does not spew yellow, turbid waters but instead sends forth crystal-clear springs and rippling blue waves, flowing ceaselessly like the graceful swirl of a dancer’s sleeves over rugged, oddly-shaped pebbles. In summer, the croaking of frogs fills the tranquil mountain forests with vibrant life. The legendary bird Jingwei flies back and forth, singing loudly as it carries twigs and stones to fill the sea.

An ancient poem reads:

The Zhuozhang River shimmers with ripples in azure hue,

Who traces to its moonlit springtime source anew?

Springs emerge from deep, rarely-trodden hills so high,

While birds sense the sea before the wise ones fly.